I’m not ashamed of my Southern twang, even though my Northern suitemate from Ohio poked fun of me often in college. Time and time again when traveling, I’ve been asked “Where are you from?” or “Are you from the South?” just for affirmation of what was already assumed, I’m sure. This even happened while I was honeymooning in New York with a saleswoman commenting, “Wow, I didn’t know people really talk like that.