While out for a walk through my neighborhood on a recent morning, I passed a number of other walkers. Some young, some old. Young mothers pushing their children in a variety of strollers, senior citizens, single and in couples, college students. They were walking, jogging, or running full speed.
Without exception, each person I passed looked me in the eye, smiled, and said, or mouthed (I was wearing headphones after all), hello.
I don't know if they were all southerners or not. I know the true southerners are born with charm and warmth. It is genetic, I'm sure. Those not from around heyah, have obviously been infected with the bug. You don't have to live here for long before that happens.
Newer immigrants from up theyah are always shocked by the warm way they are greeted by native, and naturalized southerners.
I tell them they will soon get used to it, and they too will soon turn on the charm, without even thinking about it. There is no vaccine to prevent this infection.
I also tell them that when they encounter someone who acts aloof, indifferent, or outright rude, to not worry about it. Those folks are obviously new and obviously from up theyah, now aren't they? They'll come around. Bless their little hearts.
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