Ten Things to Know About Mississippi

nobody@vox.com(Mississippi Teacher Corps) — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 03:12:00 -0800

Note: This is primarily about Hollandale, the town where I lived and taught, but it is certainly applicable to most Delta towns in Mississippi.

1) You can get great food at the gas station.

2) The sunsets are beautiful.

3) On your birthday people will pin a dollar to your shirt or sweater.

4) There is a white cafe and a black cafe.

5) Everyone younger will address you as "sir" or "ma'am."

6) Sweet tea is so sweet your gums tingle from the sugar.

7) Music is everywhere.

8) Not only can you get fried green tomatoes, you can get fried pickles.

9) Train tracks divide the town between white and black.

10) Everybody hugs.

Five Mississippi Phrases

nobody@vox.com(Mississippi Teacher Corps) — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 02:23:00 -0800

1) "Gimme some sugar." Give me a kiss.

2) "White folks section." Where the white people live.

3) "Bust the shot clock." Score more than 100 points.

4) "Tennies." Sneakers.

5) "You better shut up talking to me." No explanation needed.