After growing up in the south my whole life I've learned we have a sense of "southern charm" you won't find anywhere else. Since I am so fortunate to have a dad that works for Delta Airlines I travel to the northeast many times a year and typically come home thinking "Northerners are so rude and obnoxious." I had a long talk during my drive with my Jersey-raised dad because I didn't know if I should keep my friendly ways in the city and let people assume they could take advantage of me. He told me, "Jack, just because you're moving somewhere different doesn't mean you have to change who you are." So when I came into the city last Monday morning I was prepared for people to run me down on the sidewalk and for no one at work to learn my name or talk to me (a lowly intern) until I proved myself worthy. Boy was I wrong!
I could not be happier at Peppercom. The moment I walked in the door someone greeted me and spent the morning showing me the ropes. He took me to lunch and introduced me to every single person in the office. Each person I met said "Let me know if I can help you!" in some form. All week I received Google Talk messages from various people asking how things were going and if I needed any help. I received an email my second day from Peppercom's co-founder, Steve Cody, after I commented on his blog telling me to "stop by" and meet him. Needless to say I was shocked! Maybe I've watched The Devil Wear's Prada one too many times. Whatever the case, I packed some tough skin to come work up here and I'm so grateful I haven't had to use it...yet.
I have also discovered that people on the street aren't all that different from down south. Yes, they may be wrapped up in their Blackberry's and many won't look your way, but I have encountered many helpful people. I even had someone offer to help carry my suitcase up the stairs the other day and another ask if I was lost (which I definitely was!) and needed help on the street. I've learned that if you ask anything with a smile and that "southern charm" I know so well, people are usually happy to help.
Now don't get me wrong, not everyone has met me with a smile and open arms, but I am so happy to be here and to remove the stereotype from my mind. I get so very frustrated when people assume all southerners wave Confederate flags and drive pickup trucks; I'm disappointed in myself for being just as guilty by stereotyping Manhattan people.
Note: I will NEVER consider myself to be a Yankee, but as Mary Tyler Moore would say, I think...
"I'm gonna make it after all!"
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