Sweet Tea & Side Eyes: What Moving South Taught Me About Small Talk, Style & Slowing Down

When I packed up my parka and said goodbye to the Jersey Shore, I thought I was ready for the Southern charm everyone talks about. I figured I'd just swap my Dunkin’ for sweet tea and keep it moving. But moving South isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a whole different lifestyle.

As one of the five co-hosts of Girls Go South, I’ve spent the last few years navigating this unexpected culture shock with my best girls by my side. Together, we’ve learned that the South is full of slow moments, subtle sass, and an entirely different meaning of "dressing up."

1. Small Talk Is a Southern Sport

Back home, if a stranger struck up a conversation in line at the grocery store, you’d assume they wanted something. Here, it’s just… Tuesday. Southerners have mastered the art of the casual convo—about the weather, your outfit, your grandma’s recipe for pound cake. At first, it threw me off. Now? I lowkey love it. There’s a kindness in the casual.

2. Sweatpants Are Not a Personality

Northern girls are pros at making sweats and sneakers look good. But in the South, it’s a little different. Southern girls dress up. Like, pearls-to-class dressed up. I’ll never forget showing up to a football game in jeans and being surrounded by girls in heels and full makeup. It was giving pageant meets tailgate. At first, I felt out of place—but over time, I started to appreciate the effort behind it. Dressing nice here isn’t about impressing others. It’s about pride.

3. Fast Life, Meet Front Porch

Where I grew up, everything is go-go-go. Even our coffee orders are in a rush. But the South? It knows how to pause. People sit on porches. They take the long way home. And Sundays? They're sacred. At first, it frustrated me. Now, I crave that slower pace. I don’t check my phone at dinner anymore. I savor things a little longer. The South taught me that rest isn’t lazy—it’s intentional.

Whether you’re Southern born or Northern bred, our podcast Girls Go South is where all these moments collide. From navigating culture shock to discovering comfort food we didn’t know we needed, we’re unpacking all the sweet, spicy, and sometimes salty parts of moving South.

So grab your iced coffee—or your sweet tea—and let’s talk about it.

Follow along on Instagram @GirlsGoSouth.Pod, New posts every week!

Girls Go South is a podcast created by friends who relocated to North Carolina for college, sharing our journey of discovering Southern culture, food, fashion, and adventures!