I always get "yelled" at by my baltimore- born boyfrind about my pa dutch..."do you want to com with?" lol
sorry about my typing, i type slower then I think and my mistypings are just my fingers trying to catch up. :)

WOW the food all sounds great, I am not a picky eater, but I am very into healthy things (light on the butter, no mayo please) BUT i LOVE "pee-can pie" and hushpuppies although i bet the southern verisions are way different then what we have here. Also will I get any snow or ice in charleston?
Also I love rollerblading and working out, so if anyone could reccomend a good gym in N. Charleston I wouldbe very happy, also where a nice paved spot to go rollerbading?

Sinehat gave an excellent description for the events leading up to the Civil War.

Probably next summer, someone from work will offer you fresh, homegrown tomatoes. Accept them, say thank you, and enjoy. Most everyone who gardens in the south grows tomatoes and ends up with more than they can use. Fresh, vine-rippened tomatoes are one of life's pleasures. You could make the 'southern' style tomato sandwich. Take a piece of white bread (Wonder bread, Bunny bread, etc.) put a like coating of mayo on the bread and place a thin slice of tomato on top. If you're real fancy, cut away the bread not covered by bread. Serve and enjoy.

amatters, when you live near the beach, chances are everyone you know will see you in few clothes (bathing suit) so we tend to work out a lot. Lots and lots of gyms. Go for location.

I can't remember the last time we got snow and I don't know if Charleston has ever gotten an ice storm.

I only own a couple of wool sweaters and rarely wear them. 55 degrees with humidity is a lot warmer than 55 degrees in Washington DC.

My Mom, who grew up in Tennessee used to make us "spring sandwiches," which were tomato, lettuce and mayo. I make them for my kids when I have fresh tomatos. I never realized it was a southern sandwich, but it sounds a lot like the sandwich you are describing. Interesting!
I agree with you. Sinehat's description was excellent. The Civil War had a devastating impact on the south, leaving it in a depression for over 100 years, in my opinion. People in the north did not have the same experience, as the war was not fought on their front porches, nor were they vanquished, of course!

Shane,
Too bad the trained CSA Generals, including Bobby Lee, were "fighting" the war tactics of War 1812 with the infantry tactics and weapons of pre - 1849, really brave and loyal, but mostly untrained - until, of course, the very end, when ...!!!
M

Army of the Potomac; Russel H. Beatie
Lees' Lieutenants; Douglas H. Freeman

Overwhelming resourses eventually "win"!

Next war vs religion/fundamentalist Muslims will involve NUKES.
M

thats scary. Am i correct in my thinking that most of the south is baptist? I may stand out in the crowd as the "catholic italian girl"

Also, what are the alcohol laws like in Sc? Here in Pa bars close at 2 am (last call @ 130). but you have to go to a state store to buy liquor, grocery stores and 7-11 type stores do not sell any alcohol, and beer can be bought at bars and beverage distributors.

amatters,
amica mia,
Some here are not fundamentalists, nor
... whatever your bias may think.
A few are even educated and speak many languages, travel, and own property in Italia!
M

So you suppose the "a" in "amatters" may stand for "alcohol?"

obxgirl, I disagree. amatters has been a consistent poster. Her questions are reasonable and don't intentionally provoke a negative response. Her concerns are common. I have friends here who are terrified at the idea of moving to the northeast. Too cold, unfriendly people, cost of living, muggings, quakers and unitarians, lacrosse, etc.

amatters, how friendly the people are depends on you. If you are willing to try new places and be open, you will enjoy your move. Southerners are very hospitable. People are polite and will go out of there way to help you. If you have any exposure to rural Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you get a sense what people here are like.

The civil war is still pervasive, but merely in a romanticized historical context. We are not like the Scots, the Irish or the Basques. I was amazed the first time I visited the UK and met Scots who were angry beyond words over the deaths of Mary Queen of Scots and William Wallace. Remember that the brunt of the violence of the civil war occurred in and around the Southern Atlantic states, Virgina to Georgia. It's natural these things are remembered.

Food is great. We fry everything. Fried green tomatoes may be the best, followed by deep fried snickers. Sweet tea is not that sweet. And most places now offer unsweetened. Just tell them. Remember to have biscuits and gravy. Although, I am still trying to understand wings and grits for breakfast.

I am no troll at all, the religion thing is important, its not that i have a problem with other religions, its just that in my area, "everyone is catholic" and i have spent 13 years in catholic school (inclu. k) And I dont know much about other religions (except for jeudiasm, 1/2 my family is jewish)
And i think knowing about various alcohol rules is important, I am young and do go to the bar (the a is for alision), and i know the rules vary greatly by state. so again somthing i think is important to know

Hey I am a catholic transplant.There are tons of us northerners who always thought that southerners watched church on tv and sent in money. Well, they do and they don't. There are plenty of all kinds of churches and you will be friends with more protestants than ever before! Ha ha...I am not familiar with South Carolina liquor laws so I can't help you there. I am sure you buy beer and wine at the supermarkets and liquor in an abc store. That is they way it is in VA.
I love all this chatter about the north and south. So many of us have left our neighborhoods where we grew up and moved someplace away from families. I think people are friendlier all over because of this. You will enjoy the different foods and miss some of the old. But if Mom and Dad are still North, you will get plenty of that. You will learn a ton of history about the civil war. As a Jersey girl, we spent about two weeks on that as a kid. But here, so many towns were hit hard. There is so much history right around the corner.
Oh and here are a few more things my kids now say....tennis shoes instead of sneakers, and suckers instead of lollypops! Be friendly and join some clubs. Good luck.

Troll or not (and I'm guessing she is), there are some interesting posts here.

What I felt and what my friends have told me is the most difficult thing about moving to Florida (and it could be similar in SC) is that there is an invisible closed door to many newcomers. You may think you're "one of 'um" but it is often difficult to become an insider. People will be nice to you but you're going to have to pay your dues, which generally amounts to about ten years of residency. There is a large learning curve to being a Southerner and it's not something that you can learn from a book, nor is it something anyone will tell you. And while some will listen to what you have to say, there is general belief that you don't know what you're talking about.

This attitude prevails because of the many people who come South (often from the North) thinking they know it all and Southerners don't. Southerners are too mannerly to put you in your place, as someone would in the North, and they are just devious enough to keep you in the dark until it suits them to make it clear to you that you ain't "one of um".

Don't get me wrong. I'm "one of 'um" after living here for most of my life. But I've seen it and I know it's a way of life for many people in the South. And no matter what they say, they haven't forgotten who lost the war and they don't like Northerners.

Luckily there are many Northerners who now live in the South. Find them and enjoy the company of other outsiders.

What is a troll?
amatters: The fall is the nicest season of the year in the south. In VA, the fall lasts until Christmas. A real fall with warm days and cool nights and brisk mornings.
Then in Va it gets cold. Springs are quick and pretty and then get hot fast. Summers are very humid. That takes some getting used to. Winters are mild.

If you decide to explore your other half, Charleston is home to the 4th oldest Jewish congregation in the US which is housed in the oldest continuously used synagogue in the US. The building is a historic landmark, and you might enjoy visiting it, in any case. Here is their website:

http://www.kkbe.org/

Oh boy I wish this thread had stuck to sweet tea and stuff that smells good. I apologize for suggesting you're a troll, amatters, as whether you are one or not is irrelevant since my calling you one upped the emotional ante on the discussion.


If you grew up in and were schooled in a large & close knit Catholic community and were expecting that to be your segue into

sorry...posted too soon...

Charleston, you'll probably find things a bit different from PA. Doesn't mean there aren't large and vibrant Catholic communities.

You stated elsewhere I think that you were 24. That makes you young but not falling out of the cradle. If you go with an open mind you'll do just great.

again I am not a troll, (if i was why would I have picked this topic) Anyway, I Have gotten some good advice, I am very excited and aprehensive about the move, My first day on the job is sept 13, and I hope to move in the friday before that, but visit at least once to try to find a roomate or if that dosent work out an apartment (i hope i will have some luck with roomates.com) I have alot to do before i move...(i dont even have a dresser or a lamp) Thanks again for all your help.

The problem with romanticizing the civil war/demonizing the North is that allows the South to continue to deny that it was on the wrong side of history and basic human rights. One doesn't defend the Nazi regime because the U.S. didn't have clean hands since it had segregation laws/segregated army at the time, that the rise of the Nazi regime was facilitated in part by reparations after WWI, etc.

Also, I think the real issue is not that the Civil War is not ancient history, but that the civil rights struggle is the thing that is really not too far off. Keep in mind that it was during the civil rights movement that the confederacy flag was added to state flags as a sign of defiance against desegregation.

Obviously things have changed a lot in the past few decades. Yet, still today a large part of the Republican base in the South can be traced to the reaction from Johnson signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Gosh, can you think of anyway we can get them to head out of here? Maybe to Arizona or something?

Don't send them to the Pacific Northwest. They'd be shocked by the way native Americans were treated, especially in Oregon. Oh, and forget Chicago, once called the most segregated city in the US, and for good reason. Or Indiana, which has historically had the largest KKK chapter in the USA. Hmm. Better not show them Atlanta, home of MLK, and the city which didn't have race riots while other cities burned in the 1960's....the City with great African American mayors and universities. Nope. Oh the US is a confusing place!

A place is what you make of it.

Keep your head high.
Do as to others as they would do to you.
Try and try again... and you will feel at home no matter where you move to.

Sometimes it takes trying a few different options to find your niche, but if you keep trying, you will find it.

People are people -- everywhere...

FYI- I moved from NY to Atlanta 8 years ago and by following the above advice am having a good time in the "deep south"

Kindest regards,
Amanda

There are an awful lot of history lessons posted here????... What is that all about? And again what is a troll? I am beginning to think I am missing all the lingo.
Amatters you are going to love living on your own and you are only 24-you have a great attitude and will have fun anywhere!

Thanks for the support, i think a troll is someone who is not serious about a post, although i dont know what I have posted that somone would consider to be a fake posting, but we are each entitled to our own opinions

Girlonthego, a troll is someone who intentionally posts a bogus message with the intent not of obtaining information, but rather of stirring up other posters, to get other posters yelling at each other. The original post is usually written in an unassuming manner, indicating that they are seemingly unaware their post could cause problems. Sorta like fishing, where you throw out the baited hook and drag it behind the boat (trolling) over areas where you believe the fish to be. Not sure if amatters is a troll or not, kinda doubt it, but it does show that there are still discussions that have to be handled with a bit of sensitivity. If you want a roaring, heated discussion, try talking about which is better, barbecue from Eastern NC, Western NC, Virginia, or SC.... Your intelligence, parentage, and taste will be pretty quickly questioned.

Thanks for the reply. I do not think amatters is a "troll". But I do think her post has been an interesting read with many fun responses.
Have enjoyed reading all of this....

girlonthego, most southerners don't consider Virginia to be a southern state but an eastern state. Our weather in South Carolina is much different from yours. We don't really have fall and we don't get snow.

amatters, Charleston is a very culturally and socio-economically diverse area. You will find all religions and many Catholics (being one myself). You will find one of the largest Jewish populations in the south.

You aren't moving to Mayberry. Charleston is a world class city.

Tandoori Girl, only ten years where you live? People are "from off" until at least the second generation in the small community where I grew up, and then the older people will include a remark about when their parents moved in. After a heated discussion of what to do with some church funds, my mother was indignant over a suggestion made by a man who, she said, was just a newcomer. (At that time, he had lived in the community for 20 years.)

mayberry..My mom used to make me watch that show, they even still had in black in white on a local netwowk.

I plan on visiting the area on sept 3,4
I will most likely be driving, but i found some good air fairs in UA, $223 from charlest to harrisbug, which is amazing becasue Harrisburg is usually very expensive to fly out of. I will let you all know who my move went. I am sure I will have more questions before i leave though :)

GoTravel...You have never lived in Richmond VA. The South lives on. They may not have thick accents, but it is a very southern city. (At least from a Yankee's perspective!) ha ha ha....
As to weather, yes I guess you are correct in the fact that your weather is much warmer than ours.

But I have lived in Richmond. I spent a summer living with my then boyfriend at his Aunts big house on Monument Avenue. He was in summer school at VCU and I spent the summer hostessing at The Tobacco Company.

Amatters, We moved from the north to South Carolina 16 years ago. There are differences here to be sure, but you happen to be moving to the best of all possible cities in South Carolina. One difference I found right away was in the speed of speaking. I had to learn to slow down--perhaps it was my northern accent?? People here are as friendly as you want them to be, and as you are to them. Generally, that's the way it is in most areas of the US.

Charleston is very rich culturally with tons of things to do and see. The Spoleto festival in late May, early June is one example-- great operas, theatrical performances, and art exhibits. The entire coastline of South Carolina has great beaches, several near Charleston.

When we have "northern" relatives visiting, we always include day trips to Charleston. I envy your relocation choice. You'll love living in Charleston. Kathy

Thanks for the tip about talking fast..people always tell me that I do that,oh and also that i talk way too much..lol

Gotravel, Virginia not considered part of the south? Says who? Weren't you able to see see the monuments from your boyfriend's aunt's house on Monument Ave.? Did they not take you to Hollywood Cemetery? Tredegar Ironworks? White House/Museum of the Confederacy? Appomattox? Cold Harbor? Seven Pines? Weren't you there long enough to see at least one exchange in the Richmond Times-Dispatch op ed page either condemming or honoring R E Lee or A Lincoln?
Not part of the South? This will come as a shock to both Mason and Dixon.

Southern VA is certainly the south. Culturally, VA is sort of two states now - Arlington and the suburbs around DC are more Nothern, but outside of that VA is a Southern state. In fact, if you've ever tried to get around DC in a snow storm you'll realize that it is a southern city at heart too.

Add the Tidewater area to the parts of Virginia that don't fit into the southern mold. It is more eastern seaboard than southern.

I also found people telling me Virginia wasn't really southern when I moved deeper into the south. It is definitely not part of the "deep south," but neither are Tennessee and NC.

I have loved the banter on this post, but I am getting tired of scrolling all the way down to see what someone else wrote. Either we start a new post or we continue this story in Sept.after amatters moves in and we find out the scoop on a brand new post....like a trip report....amatters loves charleston or amatters misses ny..amatters finds true love in the deep south...any other ideas?????...

girlonthego-
Then you would not enjoy reading the For Wine-Os thread on Other Topics..they have 487 replies on there!
This is just getting started! :)

Ahh--some levity after so many hurricane stresses.

Here's a snapshot of my family:

It's hard to believe that this used to be the mentality...My dear late mom was as yankee as you can get (New York); dad is as Southern as you can get (born and raised in rural Georgia). When they met (1956), no one in either family had ever married an "outsider". My mother's two old maid aunts were intellectual snobs (Aunt Sally claimed to be the first woman to get her masters at Cornell sometime in the late 1800s). Aunt Sally could not believe my mother was marrying an "uneducated" Southerner. My mother reminded her that my dad was a graduate of the University of GA, to which Sally responded "You make my point". My maternal grandfather adored my dad and vice versa, my grandmother tolerated him. These two old maid aunts were a hoot--Sally lived to be 100. Her sister Jayne liked my dad because he sneaked her out to go to the dog track which Sally would NEVER approve of.

Then there was my dad's side. They were just as happy about the marriage. My mama (one of a dozen Southern words for grandmother)huffed around for months--she thought my mom was starving him because "yankees can't cook worth a damn, they boil everything and they use store-bought chickens" My mom didn't think a yankee had ever been to my dad's hometown. The first time she came to visit she sat on the front porch with the family after dinner and she swore the whole town walked by to get a look at the yankee.

Fast forward 25 years and when my southern uncle, a physician, met my husband (then my fiancé)the first words out his mouth were "My gawd, you're not only marryin a lawya, you're marrying a damn yankee lawya". I THINK he was joking.

My mother eventually came to be a converted Southerner who loved the South as much as my dad. You'd never know she'd ever stepped north of the Mason Dixon (she even acquired a slight Southern accent).

So troll or not, there's something about the South and esp. Charleston so I predict you'll be a convert as well!