It's interesting, given that I first learned English in the Midwest (Iowa, to be precise), and yet I seem to have picked up a number of 'Southern' speech patterns. I tend to use 'bless her' after complaining about someone (err, not that I complain a lot!) and If you wouldn't mind, could you put this on the table, please?"/"If it's not a bother, I'd appreciate if you put that on the table..." so much, it's even leaked into my Chinese. Which annoys the hell out of my parents, actually.
Also, the smile thing may not be exclusive to Southerners? I've seen it on a number of immigrants or put-upon salespeople who have to deal with uncooperative, belligerent strangers day in and day out.
Not a Southerner... but still commenting
Date: 13 Jan 2011 01:16 am (UTC)Also, the smile thing may not be exclusive to Southerners? I've seen it on a number of immigrants or put-upon salespeople who have to deal with uncooperative, belligerent strangers day in and day out.