"Bless your heart!" Should I still feel offended? (living, drive)

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by leonard

Humm,

I tend to say "take care" at the end of many conversations. Am I required to tell them what to take care of, or is it reasonable to assume that using either expression is simply a mild good wish and a friendly way to end a conversation?

Are we required to show a lot of concern in general conversation?

Yeah. And make sure to add the time of day. I mean c'mon. You say "take care" do you mean to take care this afternoon, tonight, what?

You might want to venture to the northeast, where , "Yeah. See ya," means someone really, really likes you!



And by the way, I say, "nice" and "cute" and I really mean it. I wonder how many people were making fun of me and I didn't know it?

God knows how long a couple of natives on here made fun of me and I thought they liked me.

[jabogitlu]

You might want to venture to the northeast, where , "Yeah. See ya," means someone really, really likes you!

I figure if someone bothers to speak to me, they like me well enough. I've had too many people hang up/walk away/walk by without even a nod!

[NJDevil]

Some women here talk my ear off, then ignore me the next time I see them. Not very easy to make friends here. My friend and I keep getting told that aggressive or outgoing women (if you don't have a "soft & sweet" voice) are a turn-off to southerners. I find it hypocritical that those in the bible belt are so judgmental of a person's outside.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

Some women here talk my ear off, then ignore me the next time I see them. Not very easy to make friends here. My friend and I keep getting told that aggressive or outgoing women (if you don't have a "soft & sweet" voice) are a turn-off to southerners. I find it hypocritical that those in the bible belt are so judgmental of a person's outside.

I agree. I wasn't agnostic until I lived here a few years. It pushed me right over the edge.

I speak very abruptly, but I'm kind of person that likes to smile and hug and do anything for you and by golly, I mean it. Too bad a few people want to think I'm a loudmouthed jerk from the northeast. It's just a few, though. At least that I KNOW of, if you know what I mean.

I think the church thing can be hard. I know the kids at school ask our daughter if she is a Christian, a lot. They also told her that Barack Obama kills little children. She told them off. It may be why no one showed up at her birthday party.

Both of us are not working now. I'm sick but my husband was pushed out of a shop because a family member needed a job. No warning, but it's understandable.

Blood is thicker than water, and if you don't have any family it can be rough. It's been like that my whole life.

So you would think that living in an area where there are a bunch of transplants would be better, but we did that in Florida and those people were outright rude or just ignored you.

I guess it's just hard to deal with "nice to your face people" that turn around and don't really like you at all. You're just not prepared.

I have found living here to be a joy and a struggle. But then again, most places are like that.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I figure if someone bothers to speak to me, they like me well enough. I've had too many people hang up/walk away/walk by without even a nod!

Isn't that the truth! Not so much here, but boy in some of the places I've lived!

Originally Posted by hiknapster

You might want to venture to the northeast, where , "Yeah. See ya," means someone really, really likes you!

LOL, that was pretty standard where I grew up.

[RamblinRoseRanch]

Originally Posted by leonard

Humm,

I tend to say "take care" at the end of many conversations. Am I required to tell them what to take care of, or is it reasonable to assume that using either expression is simply a mild good wish and a friendly way to end a conversation?

Are we required to show a lot of concern in general conversation?

Okay, ya'll have proven your point- i'm an anomaly because I expect manners to trumph slang.

[Sweetlady71]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

And sometimes "Bless your heart" really means "Bless your heart."

If you are quick with people and their nuances then it is easy. Southerners are full of nuances, which I love.

Anyway, let's give you an example:

I say, "My daughter's in the hospital."

SMG says, "Oh honey, bless your heart."

She really means it.

And sometimes it means we know that you are crazy/confused/a jerk, but we love you anyways.

My husband says, "Frank down the street was walking around his front lawn in his underwear, again."

I say, "Well bless his heart."

You'll catch on.

nothing else needs be said...this sums it up right nice!!!
now....sweet tea anyone???

[jabogitlu]

Hik, I speak very abruptly too. (And I was born here!) It throws most people off and I have a hard time making friends sometimes because of it, but it's just how I am. Don't ask me something if you don't want the truth. And I don't do a lot of prefacing or beating around the bush.

I really detest the family/good old boy network in place in the South. I'd much prefer to live somewhere where people actually evaluate you based on your own personality and/or accomplishments rather than who your cousin's brother is .Know what I mean?

[ConceivedinKY51]

I think that's a sweet thing to say. I don't understand why anyone would be offended by that at all.

[leonard]

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanch

Okay, ya'll have proven your point- i'm an anomaly because I expect manners to trumph slang.

Hi,

OK, how would someone exhibiting "good manners" close a conversation?

Include how they would wish someone well without being specific, as they may be someone they do not really know?

There is a difference between "slang" and less than perfect grammar as well, though they are related.