My wife was raised proper Southern and it's rubbed off on me. The way she treats people, the genuine interest in their lives, the thoughtfulness. It's becoming a rarer thing and I think we're all poorer for it. Been making an effort to slow down more and actually listen to people instead of just waiting for my turn to talk. Seems to mean more to folks than anything else.
Man, that Southern charm is real. My wife's the same way from Charlotte and it's honestly made me a better person just watching her interact with people. The kids are picking up on it too which is cool.
This resonates with me. We've tried to pass that genuine interest thing on to our kids here in Atlanta. It's one of those values that actually sticks with them more than anything else we teach.
Your wife sounds like a good influence. My kids draw pictures of everyone they meet and want to know their stories. I think that's the Southern hospitality thing showing up in them already.
Charleston dads know this well. There's something about taking time to actually see people and care about them. It's not about being fake polite, it's about real respect.
Your wife sounds amazing. That genuine kindness thing is contagious - I've noticed my kids are way more considerate since we've been around people who actually mean their manners instead of just going through the motions.
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We're raising our kids in Arlington and trying to instill this same thing. It's harder when everyone's rushing around but it makes such a difference in how your community responds to you.