In the United States it has been said that the southern states are the most hospitable. When you visit a southern state in this great country you are sure to be met by more than one person who extends hospitable greetings and follows some of the southern hospitality etiquette.
The southern states were the states that had all of the big plantations in the years before the Civil War. At these big plantations it was expected that when a visitor came to call they would be treated in certain ways. The visitor would be offered food and drink upon their arrival. They would also be offered lodging for the night if it was late in the day when they arrived.
The people of the plantation would gather around the visitor and listen intently to the stories they had to tell. They would keep the dink of the visitor refilled and they would be very polite when they spoke to their guest. Southern hospitality relied on the people of the south having excellent manners.
The southern people were taught to say "yes ma'am", and "yes sir", to all people who were older than them. They also were taught to say thank you and to say please.
Southern gentlemen would never enter the home of another individual with their hat on their head. Their hat was removed and held in their hand until the homeowner told the visitor to "put your hat on", or "let me take your "hat". A gentleman also removed his hat when he encountered a lady. Even if they were in town when a gentleman approached a lady they would tip their hat in a greeting, or if they were going to speak to the lady they would remove their hat and hold it in their hand.
When a visitor was present at a plantation home children were expected to be seen and not heard. That meant when the children were allowed to be present in the room where the adults were gathered they were to remain quiet unless they were asked a question.
Young ladies were taught to curtsy, and young men were taught to kiss a ladies hand in a show of respect. Ladies were often quoted as saying "well, bless you're heart" in the south. To this day ladies in the south still use this phrase frequently. Some people say that when a lady says this she is politely telling you to shut up.
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