Freshmen Problems: North v. the South

Coke versus Pepsi. Chocolate versus vanilla. North versus South. We are constantly drawing the line between two objects, things, people. To compare them. To contrast them. We all live in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Same country. The stars and stripes. But when I went back “to the up” (AKA the Chicago, more specifically Chicago) for winter break, that’s when I really noticed the differences between the North and the South…

*Photo from ezrapoundcake.com.

Time

North: A minute is not to be spared. Not even a second! The faster you get something done, the sooner you can move onto the next item on your “to do” list. And finish that as well. It’s all about speed. Getting from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. There is no time to waste. Fast walk. The speed limit is more of a suggestion (15 mph over it is more like it). 

South: I’m going to take my sweet time. Did you say sweet? I could really go for a sweet tea right now…

Patience

North: THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE! MOVE IT! DRIVE FASTER! WALK FASTER! THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BUDDY! Gah! WAITER! I NEED A REFILL! (In and out of a restaurant in an hour).

South: Meh, it is what it is. Oh look, there’s a friend, let’s go chat! The trees and leaves look so pretty there! Oh, the waiter hasn’t brought the bread and water yet? No big deal… *2 hours later* the check is finally here!

*Photo from moneymoments.org.

Small talk

North: As I was waiting for my baggage to come sliding down at the O’Hare airport in Chicago, I was feeling in the mood to chat so I thought I would strike up a conversation with the woman working nearby. A few sentences in, she gave me a funny look and wrapped up the conversation. This has happened to the majority of attempts I have made at small talk with people around me.

South: I’ve had long, spontaneous conversations with the administrator in the Department of Religion, talks with the lady at the check out counter in the convenience store, chats with the custodians, and I am routinely greeted at the dining hall with “hi, honey,” “have a great day,” “how’s you day going?” People care and are willing to take time out of their day for a stranger!

Doors

North: I got here first. I’m going to go through first. I don’t have time to hold that thing open for you! Do you know how long it takes me to keep the door open for you? A couple of seconds! I don’t have time for that!

South: It’s a joke around campus that when a guy holds the door open for a girl, she responds that she “has a boyfriend” because he’s hitting on her. The fact that it’s turned into a joke on campus just goes to show how common it is for guys to hold the door open for girls (and guys too)! It happens all the time and the chivalry and gentlemanliness of it does not fade with each time it happens.

*Photo from news.wfu.edu.

Clouds

North: What’s the weather forecast for December, January, and February? Clouds. Dark clouds. Gray clouds. Clouds as far as the eye can see. Every. Single. Day. If we wished upon a star, maybe once every two weeks or so we are blessed with some of the day with rays of sunshine. I don’t take a sunny day for granted.

South: Sun. Sun. Sun! I’m getting tan just walking to class. And it’s December! Who needs to fake tan. Psh! Shorts in January? No big deal.

This is why I wanted to go to college in a different part of the country. In order to appreciate where you are from, you need to live away from it. I feel like I’ve learned more life lessons by living somewhere different from what I’m used to. Now, I want to live all over the country so I can absorb the plethora of lifestyles and personalities. America is a rainbow, and I want to dance in the pot of gold at the end of it! 

*Cover photo from countrysbarbecue.com.