The Southern Belle Primer or Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be A Kappa Kappa Gamma

This is a very short little book but chock full of absolutely hilarious "rules" required to follow to be a Southern Belle.  A surprising list of those who make it and those who don't -- Lynda Johnson, where WERE your white kid gloves?

While this comes across as being a satirical work, and I suppose it is, any girl (we are always girls, you know) from the south, especially growing up in the 50's, 60's and prior, will recognize many of the traditions listed in this book.  Anybody from the North reading this will think it is a joke but it isn't. 

While the book focuses on the "elite" class of places like San Antonio, Dallas and Mobile, most of the traditions laughed at discussed were part of our everyday life.  I still won't wear white shoes before Easter and would never think of wearing them after Labor Day.  We all dressed up with gloves and hats and I still never feel "dressed" without stockings.  The "wash and wear hair" doesn't do much for me either -- how DO we live without AquaNet?  I think the funniest part of the book was the concept of "tacky".  We STILL judge things by their tackiness -- it is just part of who we are.  Now, in regards to wanting to be buried facing Nieman-Marcus -- hmm... that would have to be in my backyard because we just live down the street from NM. 

I really enjoyed this book -- read it in one sitting -- it is that entertaining and that short -- and all it made me want to do was make a casserole and a gelatin salad -- with a dollop of Hellmann's. 

Read it -- you won't regret it.