We’ve officially traded snow squalls for sunshine, and while the climate difference was expected, the culture shock was not! Moving from Western New York to the Upstate means not just changing your address, but changing your entire rhythm of life.
Here are the ten things about Southern life and culture that completely confused this WNYer when we first arrived:
1. The Sweet Tea Standard
This isn’t a beverage; it’s a culture. Back in New York, if you ordered iced tea, you got unsweetened. Here, if you just say “tea,” you get a glass so saturated with sugar it could be legally classified as syrup.
- WNYer Mindset: “I’ll add sugar if I want it.”
- Southerner Mindset: “We’ll add the sugar for you… and then some.”
- Lesson Learned: Always, always specify “unsweet tea” if you want it plain.
2. The Mysterious Case of the Missing Shoulders
I was terrified the first few times we drove on country roads. In WNY, every road has a paved shoulder. Down here, particularly in rural Upstate SC, the asphalt often ends abruptly, dropping right into the ditch or grass.
3. Sidewalks Are Hidden, but Walking Paths Abound
I spent weeks searching for sidewalks when we moved into our neighborhood. They simply don’t exist in many areas! Yet, the South loves to walk. They just do it on dedicated, beautifully paved greenways, trails, and lakeside paths—not along the curb. It’s a better system, but I still miss the casual neighborhood stroll down a familiar sidewalk.
4. Turn Signals Are Optional Equipment
I don’t know if this is a Southern thing or just a local driving quirk, but using a turn signal seems to be a lost art here. In NY, you’d get honked at instantly. Here, it seems perfectly normal to slow down, brake sharply, and then turn—all while keeping your intention a secret until the last second. It took some serious adjustment to the local traffic dance!
5. RSVPs are a Lost Cause
When you host a party in New York, you generally get a firm headcount. Here, we learned quickly that if you invite 20 people, you prepare for 30, or 10! The fluid nature of party planning is charming, but it was a challenge for my Type-A WNY scheduling habits.
6. The Pace of Life is Different (And I Mean Different)
Everything slows down here, and I mean everything. Appointments start late. Lines move slower. People stop in the middle of the grocery aisle to chat for ten minutes. Initially, this drove me crazy. Now? I’m starting to see it as a gentle reminder to breathe, slow down, and enjoy the moment—a complete shift from the hustle culture we left behind.
7. Bless Your Heart (The Multipurpose Phrase)
This one is a classic. In New York, “God bless you” is about a sneeze. Down here, “Bless your heart” can mean anything from “You poor, sweet, naive thing” to “You are an absolute idiot.” It’s an adorable, sugar-coated way of delivering any kind of judgment, and it’s baffling until you learn the subtle context.
8. Churches Are Everywhere
You cannot drive down a major road in the Upstate without passing a handful of churches. They are massive, they are gorgeous, and they are everywhere. The visible prominence of faith and the central role the church plays in community life is a noticeable cultural marker that is far different from our WNY experience.
9. Hospitality is Real, But the Boundaries are Blurry
Southerners are legitimately warm, friendly, and kind. They will offer you food, invite you to things, and talk to you like an old friend. However, this high level of immediate hospitality can sometimes feel overwhelming to a Northerner who is used to a bit more distance and reserve. It takes time to realize the generous gestures are completely genuine.
10. Everything Closes on Sunday
Coming from New York, where you can buy groceries at 11 PM on a Sunday, the quiet Sunday here was a shock. Stores, restaurants, even some gas station kitchens—everything is either closed or runs on extremely limited hours. It’s not a day for errands; it’s a day for family, church, or rest. It forces you to plan ahead and honestly, it’s a nice push toward a healthier work/life balance, even if I occasionally find myself standing outside a locked hardware store.
What was the biggest culture shock you experienced when you moved? Let me know in the comments!