Welcome to Alabama, where the charm is as deep as the sweet tea, and the rules are as unique as the scenery. Buckle up, dear traveler, because navigating the quirks of Southern hospitality might leave you scratching your head in the best possible way.
Here are six Alabama customs that might just make you do a double take.
1. Yes, Ma’am and No, Sir
You know you’re in Alabama when even toddlers are addressing grown-ups with ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir.’ It might surprise you that this isn’t just reserved for elders. Picture this: a teenager nodding politely to someone barely five years older with a crisp ‘Yes, ma’am.’ It’s not about age; it’s about respect.
Growing up elsewhere, you might find it unusual, but here, it’s second nature. A lapse in using these honorifics could draw a few raised eyebrows and maybe even a gentle correction. Often, it conveys more than respect; it shows upbringing and manners, woven into the fabric of everyday conversation…