Cultural Differences Between North And South

Northerners and Southerners are typically known for their differences and stereotypes, but it’s their similarities that bring them together to make up the USA. They have been stereotyping one another since way back in the early 1800’s; in fact, they have literally been through a war against one another. However, times have changed, but a majority of these stereotypes still exist today and probably always will. Of course, the North and the South make up the majority of the United States, but ever since April 12, 1861, there has been an imaginary line that separate the two. That line is known as the Mason Dixon Line. Even though the Civil War ended 150 years ago, it still seems like both sides never got entirely rid of the animosity they felt

However, people in the North really do have good manners, even though they have different standards than those of the South. With so many major cities, the hustle and bustle mindset is very common up North. In the South, someone that has long conversations with total strangers, opens and holds the door for the next person behind them walking in, responds by either saying, “Yes sir,” or “No sir,” or even, “Yes ma’am,” or “No ma’am,” in every conversation are all perfectly normal and genuinely typical behavior. In the North, semi-smiles or head nods as people pass each other in the street is perfectly passable as polite behavior. Therefore, they both truly do have manners and hospitality. It is just viewed differently because of their culture, ethics, or

For instance, Northerners are typically more narrowly structured when it comes to family; as in, their family circle mostly consist of the mother, father, and child or children. On the other hand, Southerners have a broader frame when it comes to their loved ones. Folks in the South tend to fill their circle to the max. They will try and fit in the mother, father, child or children, uncles, aunts, grand-parents, cousins, 2nd cousins, their friends, and they may even try and squeeze in their pet. Nevertheless, in the end, I’ve learned in my time spent attending college in the North and growing up in the South, family is the backbone that both Northerners and Southerners are built on. Their families are like a sanctuary. They turn to their family for love, support and strength. Northerners and Southerners both take comfort in knowing that their families stand behind them no matter what life throws their ways. Family is key for both of them, and their love for family helps them strive to be better and want more out of life. Their relationship with their families are genuinely what builds them or breaks them, both as individuals and as a