It’s no secret that moving away from home for college is a serious struggle for everyone, but it’s even more difficult for people who move to different regions of the nation. Southerners who move out of the south, specifically to the midwest or the north, have most likely had most if not all of these thoughts in their new town or city.
1. Where's the sweet tea?
No, unsweetened is NOT okay. And no, I can’t just add sugar packets. Seriously, sweet tea is a staple of the south, and I am driving the struggle bus without it.
2. My skin is so dry.
Everyone knows the humidity in the south is unparalleled. I never had an issue with dry skin or a constant need for hand lotion until I moved out of the south. Now I spend a significant amount of time complaining about the state of my poor, rough skin and applying ungodly amounts of lotion throughout the day.
3. Is there any good Tex-Mex food around here?
All southerners living in the midwest or the north understand the struggle of joining a local on a trip to “this really good Mexican restaurant,” which turns out to be nothing short of cringe-worthy.
4. What do you mean my nice wool coat isn’t warm enough for winter?
There is no winter in the south. There just isn’t. As a native Texan, I’ve had the same nice Croft & Barrow wool coat for the last six years, and I’ve always been warm enough every “winter.” Well, not anymore. After my first taste of a real winter (which began in November, mind you), I immediately begged my dad to buy me a new winter coat. I got a double down-lined ski jacket and have been toasty ever since.
5. I need more boots… and scarves… and gloves.
I seriously don’t have a winter wardrobe. Help me.
6. It’s snowing in November?!
Most southerners already freak when they see snow, but when they see snow before December, it’s like the apocalypse has begun. Come on, how can it possibly snow before we’ve even eaten Thanksgiving dinner?
7. Why won’t strangers smile back at me?
Southerners are notoriously well-mannered and kind-souled. Southern hospitality is no joke. We open doors, pull out chairs, and say ma’am, sir, please, and thank you. This is why we are hurt and confused when strangers walking by won’t return our friendly smile or wave, or sometimes won’t even make eye contact. We’re just trying to be nice and use the manners our mommas taught us.
8. Wow, they have all four seasons up here!
The south only really gets two seasons: summer and fall. Winter? Again, not a thing. Spring? We might get one day of spring-like weather some time in March or April, but then it’s straight to stiflingly high temperatures and still, humid air.
9. What is pop?
Pop is what some people call their grandpa. Pop is not the flavored, carbonated beverage in cans. That’s soda. Almost all my friends in college call these drinks pop, and I still don’t, and probably never will, understand it.
10. Everyone has such funny accents.
Okay, I know I have a bit of an accent, being from the south. I drag out some vowels and add a little twang to some words. But accents from the north are so much more noticeable. For example, the classic Chic-ah-go accent, which makes 'a’s sound nasally and 'o’s sound like 'a’s. The best, though, is the Minnesota accent, which turns 'a’s into 'e’s (bag = beg), and 'o’s are prolonged and exaggerated.
11. More snow? Seriously?
Please, stop. I miss the sun and wearing shorts.
12. I miss Whataburger.
The most tragic thing about the midwest and the north: there’s no Whataburger! Every southerner will assure you that Whataburger is better than any other local fast food chain, including California’s In-N-Out (which is now making its way into the south) and the midwest’s Culver’s. There really is nothing better than a honey butter chicken biscuit in the middle of the night or a double meat Whataburger with a Whata-sized (that means extra large) sweet tea.
I love my new home in college, and moving out of the south has been an awesome and rewarding experience. But I won’t lie; I miss the warm days and nice nights, the humid air, the Southern hospitality, and mostly, the sweet tea! As much as I love being at school, I always relish the chance to go back home, hug my parents, wear shorts outside, and eat as much Whataburger as I can.
