Tennessee style flirting (Knoxville: sales, high school, contractor) - (TN) - City-Data Forum

JMT · 03-03-2010, 07:42 PM

OK I'm starting this thread because of something a female Northern transplant friend of mine brought up. She said that she noticed that innocent flirting here is very much expected and appreciated. I'd never really noticed it before, but the more I think about it the more I think she's on to something.

By "innocent flirting" I mean being flirtatious but without being sexy or vulgar. The French have it down to an art, and I'm thinking that maybe in Tennessee and the rest of the South we do it, too. I'd just never noticed it before.

So does anyone else see it? According to this friend of mine, this kind of flirting would never be tolerated in her native NY but she enjoys it now that she's here in Tennessee.

DubbleT · 03-03-2010, 07:57 PM

Don't know as it's just a TN thing. I noticed the flirting when I first moved down south years ago. It's sweet and it seems to me that it crosses all age lines. Where I work we have some little old men that flirt with every female in the place, from the 17 yr old gal to the 70 yr old one.

AmberFlynn · 03-03-2010, 08:17 PM

It's not flirting, JMT, it's Southern hospitality, shugah!!

Pam& Bill · 03-03-2010, 08:36 PM

JMT,

Yes, it happens here in Tn. Dubble T is right that it crosses all age lines.
It is cute in the grocery store when an older woman asks Bill if he would get her something off the top shelf and as she asks she flutters her eyes and is just to cute for words.
I agree with your friend that in NY, it wouldn't be tolerated. But here in Tn. it is fun and everyone understands how the game is played. For me, it adds to the charm of living in Knoxville, Tn.
Pam

Bones · 03-03-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam& Bill

JMT,

Yes, it happens here in Tn. Dubble T is right that it crosses all age lines.
It is cute in the grocery store when an older woman asks Bill if he would get her something off the top shelf and as she asks she flutters her eyes and is just to cute for words.
I agree with your friend that in NY, it wouldn't be tolerated. But here in Tn. it is fun and everyone understands how the game is played. For me, it adds to the charm of living in Knoxville, Tn.
Pam

Gotta love those Cougars .......

jabogitlu · 03-03-2010, 09:19 PM

I agree with AmberFlynn. It's a form of flirting, I guess, but it's just how things are done. For me, raised here, it's very much a part of my personality. I call it warm and friendly. VERY different for me from flirting - but then I'm a very straightforward flirter whereas "general conversational flirting" is more of just an intimate way of conversing.

America is/was known for its lack of class structure. I think it's been taken to a further level in the South. We're fairly intimate, even without knowing you.

Capt. Dan · 03-04-2010, 08:51 AM

Oh yes! Tennessee men are taught from a young age how to flirt with and compliment our women in a manner that isnt unseemly or threatening. We like our women to feel good about themselves. "Healthy flirtin" is how grampa put it. Just the other day in Walmart an 80 year old woman was blocking the aisle. After waiting patiently for a few moments I said "excuse me young lady." She looked up at me and smiled a beautiful smile and blushed. "Thank you for the young lady remark young man!" She said. Then she took off her glasses, handed them to me and said " I think you need these more than I do!"

funymann · 03-04-2010, 09:01 AM

I think everyone needs to hear compliments.

My friend said he saw an ole friend from high school.

He said she really didn't look good. Overweight, not as pretty. However, he said that she was "hot" back in high school. He actually had a crush on her. Well, his wife told him to tell her that. He didn't want to but his wife pushed him saying it would make her feel good about herself. So he did.

He proceeded to tell her before him and his wife left, "I had a crush on you back in high school." I guess she smiled and felt really good. All because his wife said it would build her up.

We all need that sometime. Now someone tell me I am funny. It makes me feel good.

Capt. Dan · 03-04-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funymann

I think everyone needs to hear compliments.

My friend said he saw an ole friend from high school.

He said she really didn't look good. Overweight, not as pretty. However, he said that she was "hot" back in high school. He actually had a crush on her. Well, his wife told him to tell her that. He didn't want to but his wife pushed him saying it would make her feel good about herself. So he did.

He proceeded to tell her before him and his wife left, "I had a crush on you back in high school." I guess she smiled and felt really good. All because his wife said it would build her up.

We all need that sometime. Now someone tell me I am funny. It makes me feel good.

Yep! Youre a regular Carrot Top!!!!!!!!

BirdieBelle · 03-04-2010, 10:15 AM

My grandfather called it "cuttin' up." I think that's why things seem to take a little longer down here, too, because you usually spend a minute or two cuttin' up with your contractor or the sales clerk or mechanic before you get down to business. (The real business, I mean. The reason you're there to see them. Not "funny" business.)