1. The best kind of tea is always sweet.

Nothing makes a belle more ill at a restaurant than being told “We only have unsweetened tea, but we have Splenda!” It’s simply not the same.

2. “Smother ‘em in honey.”

We have a way of being able to cut anyone down and get our way with a smile on our face and sugar dripping off our words.

3. “Oh, you look so cute.”

This is not a compliment. It’s more of a backhanded, southern slap towards any woman we may say this too.

4. Mother is always right.

Momma always knows best, and even though that may take a little bit to realize it, we often grow up to be just like her.

5. Ladies do not cross their legs, they cross their ankles.

Proper poise is taught to us at a very young age, usually at the first real tea party we attend with the women of the family.

6. Manners, manners, manners.

Again, this is taught to us at a young age. No elbows on the table, napkin in your lap, and a sweet smile during dinner, despite what awful conversation may be occurring.

7. Being asked to say “I like white rice” by Northerners.

If your southern drawl is just thick enough, you’ve probably had this happen to you before, and you didn’t realize why until after you said those words out loud.

8. Jesus takes the wheel.

Living in the southern Bible Belt has raised most of us southern belles to be very devout Christian women, and it’s taught us many other wonderful qualities that are true to our character. Graciousness, generosity and kindness are just a few.

9. Family is the most important thing in our lives after Jesus.

Blood is thicker than water, and there isn’t a single thing we wouldn’t do to back up our parents, siblings and even cousins.

10. “Bless Your Heart” has different meanings.

This can either be a genuine, “Oh, I am so sorry for what happened to you.” or a very snide side comment.

11. So does “honey” and “darlin’”.

These can either be a term of endearment or a dire warning.

12. Your hair, teeth, nails and heck, even your *girls* may be fake, but your pearls must always be real.

This was something my mother told me, and her mother told her, and her mother told her…. Pearls are a Southern tradition and every lady should have at least an authentic necklace.

13. Our closets contain the classics.

Pearls (as mentioned above), a little black dress, something Lilly Pulitzer and at least two pairs of heels.

14. Almost everything we own is monogramed.

We have a little bit of an addiction when it comes to monograming stuff, whether it’s our initials or our greek letters. They’re on towels, shirts, vests, jackets, bags, you name it.

15. There’s a difference between a hissy fit and a conniption.

A hissy fit is usually much shorter and less… violent.

16. And who could ever forget our little Southern guidelines?

Dress like Jackie. Act like Audrey. Inspire like Lilly. Party like Gatsby.