Ah, the last months of winter. AKA the Time The South Might Get Snow. Unless you’re living in a cave somewhere, I assume you have heard that snow is on its way – is already here, in fact, for many people (in states far north of us down here).
As a Southerner, I am not terribly experienced with snow. For years it was promised to me and never arrived, and now I don’t trust like I used to. It cut me deep.
I am, however, very experienced with watching people argue about snow and any kind of inclement weather over social media. It usually follows a pattern:
First, about a week or so before the snow is projected to fall, someone makes a joke about how wintry weather affects the Southerners. Usually this person is either a recent transplant or still lives up north and is observing via Facebook/Twitter/8,000 news reports that occur every ten minutes. Either way, they are typically not from ’round these parts.
It’s usually something like, “Uh-oh – the forecast calls for snow! That means Atlanta will be out of toilet paper and beer in about ten minutes!” They often add an emoticon to show they mean no harm. They will soon learn that no emoticon can save them from their fate.
Immediately you get one native Southerner who a) does not take jokes well and b) is VERY sensitive about our snow needs. This comment usually involves some capital letters, a few exclamation points, and no emoticons. It’s Very Serious:
“Don’t be so cruel. You don’t understand – we don’t have plows/were in a drought for a long time/have little experience with the snow [the excuse tends to vary]. It’s a BIG DEAL, okay?”
Then another native chimes in. This one is eager to prove that, unlike his angry counterpart, he is totally cool with the snow and is just as amused by his friends’ inability to cope. Emoticons come back into play for this one:
“Lol. This is so true. SO true. I was just telling Susan how true this is. We will not be going to the store to buy bread or anything. I mean, if we need it, sure. But not because of the snow. Lol. So funny.”
And then the memes begin.
Then, if – if – it does, indeed, snow, or sleet, or rain really cold, the comments get a little more…heated.
‘Not From Round These Parts: “Lol, wow. People are freaking out. It’s just snow. But let’s all freak out and leave work early! Silly people. ;)”
Angry Southerner: “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW, OKAY? IT MIGHT JUST BE ONE INCH BUT WE DON’T EVEN HAVE SNOW TIRES. WE ONLY HAVE THREE PLOWS FOR THE WHOLE STATE. JUST STOP. SO CONDESCENDING.”
Amiable Counterpart Who Wants To Be Cool: “Haha. Soooooooo true. It is a little scary, though, don’t you think? I think you were just joking, anyway. You don’t think we’re silly. I mean, it doesn’t matter; I’m proud of who I am either way. But you were just joking and people got so mad. Lol. Hilarious!”
And so it goes. With each new prediction or instance of wintry weather, the cycle begins anew. Sometimes it is a continuation of previous conversations. Sometimes it’s a poor, clueless fool who really had no idea snow was predicted to fall over the weekend.
And then things get ugly.
People start to turn on each other.
This is when Not From ‘Round Here and Angry Southerner begin to put it all out on the table. The chilly, snow-covered table. Insults fly, friends are defriended, and passive-aggressive posts like “Guess some people can’t take a joke. SMH.” begin to pop up. Meanwhile, Amiable Counterpart is just doing a lot of “lol” and “soooooo true.”
It will last until the spring.
And then all will be forgiven; friends will refriend, and the memes will go back to politics, wine, and hilarious Tumblr posts, just as God intended.
Stay warm, friends! Don’t forget to tell us your thoughts about snow on Facebook!