10 Unwritten Rules You'll Only Understand if You're From the South
Life in the South comes with its own unique set of rules — unspoken traditions that define the way we live, eat, and interact. Some of these customs might surprise you if you’re not from around here.
But, if you grew up in the South, you know there are certain unspoken rules that everyone seems to understand. Here are ten of those unwritten laws that every Southerner knows by heart.
1. Bring Food (and Plenty of It)
In the South, food isn’t just sustenance — it’s how we show love. Whether it's a potluck, a neighbor's house, or someone dealing with loss, showing up empty-handed is simply not done.
And bringing "just enough" is equally frowned upon. That casserole dish better be full enough to feed an army because sharing food isn't just about nutrition — it's about showing you care.
Don’t forget to tape your name on the bottom of the dish because it will end up in someone else’s kitchen otherwise.
2. Waving Is Mandatory
In the South, acknowledging others isn't optional. Whether you're driving down a country road or walking through your neighborhood, that little finger lift from the steering wheel or friendly wave is as natural as breathing. Don't know the person? Doesn't matter. Wave anyway.
3. College Football Is Religion
Saturdays in the South don’t belong to the weekend — they belong to college football. Whether you root for the Dawgs, the Vols, or the Crimson Tide, loyalty to your team is sacred.
Business meetings get scheduled around kickoff times, weddings are planned in the off-season, and family allegiances to teams run generations deep.
Game day traditions, tailgating, and heated rivalries are practically in our DNA. But a word of advice: don’t talk trash about someone’s team unless you’re ready for a spirited (and possibly lifelong) debate.
4. Don't Show Up Without Warning
Pop-in visits might work in sitcoms, but they're considered poor form in the South. Everyone needs time to straighten up, put on proper clothes, and maybe whip up a quick batch of something fresh. A simple heads-up call or text is all it takes.
5. Never Rush Through a Goodbye
Southern goodbyes are a process, not an event. They start at the door, continue to the porch, migrate to the driveway, and often include at least three "Well, I better get going" statements and lots of final hugs before anyone actually leaves.
Trying to rush this process can feel abrupt—or even downright rude. My friend Ray used to say, “Is this going to be a one-beer goodbye or a six-pack?”
6. Don't Underestimate a Grandma's Cooking Advice
When a Southern grandmother tells you her secret to perfect biscuits or shares her cornbread recipe, you listen. These aren't just cooking tips. They're family heirlooms passed down through generations.
Trust Granny—she’s been doing this longer than you’ve been alive. And yes, she can tell if you used store-bought pie crust.
7. Always Ask About Family
Conversations aren't complete without inquiring about someone's people. "How's your mom-n-em?" may sound strange to you, but to a Southerner, it’s the conversational opening needed to kick off the latest family stories.
Asking after someone’s family indicates a genuine interest in the extended network of family and friends that makes up Southern community life.
8. “Fixing To” Means It'll Happen Eventually
This common phrase exists in its own time zone. When someone says they're "fixing to" do something, it could mean in the next five minutes or next week.
It’s not procrastination; it’s just a more relaxed approach to timing. Be patient — it’ll happen when it happens.
9. Never Touch a Lady's Hair
Southern women take pride in their hair, whether perfectly styled for Sunday service or casually elegant for a grocery store run. Touching it without permission isn't just rude; it's an invasion of personal space that might get your hand swatted.
10. It's "Y'all," Not "You Guys"
The word "y'all" represents more than just a regional dialect choice. It's a simple, elegant solution to a problem the English language never quite figured out: how to address a group of people both casually and respectfully.
While "you guys" excludes half the population and "you all" sounds stuffy, "y'all" welcomes everyone to the conversation with warmth and familiarity.
It's so versatile that it can even be expanded to "all y'all" when addressing a large group. The word carries the hospitality of the South in its very pronunciation, and once you start using it, you'll understand why Southerners will never let it go.
These unwritten rules might seem subtle to outsiders, but they're the threads that weave together the fabric of Southern society. They're about respect, community, and tradition, values that never go out of style, no matter how much the South changes with time.