Dear Abby: Southerner defends her 'y'alls'

DEAR ABBY:

"Keeping It Real in Laguna Beach, Calif.," who is embarrassed by the dialects of his Southern relatives, should learn some Southern hospitality! Yes, we may say "Ma and Pa," "y'all," "yonder" and "I reckon," but we would not laugh or be embarrassed if a California relative came to visit. We'd be overjoyed and welcoming.

"K.I.R.," get off your high horse and get over yourself! If you visited, we'd show you around town, take you to see friends and relatives, and smother you with affection. We'd have big family gatherings, sit on the front porch and drink lemonade. We'd never ridicule your different accent.

Come spend some time with us "hicks." We welcome everyone and are glad to have you.

- Georgia Girl

DEAR GEORGIA GIRL: To heck with "K.I.R." - invite me! You'll be pleased to know your fellow Southerners came out in force against "K.I.R.'s" uppity attitude. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: "Keeping It Real" is living in a fantasy world - a sad one at that. Our country is made up of all kinds of people. How can he not see the charm in a simple, down-home accent? Using different regional phrases or expressions doesn't make a person stupid or uneducated - a fact "K.I.R." might understand if he were more educated himself.

I adore my Southern heritage. I love being able to tell the difference between the drawl of someone from the Carolinas versus the Cajun tones of folks from Louisiana. You can almost hear the history by listening to someone speak. I'd much rather hear about "Ma and Pa" than be repeatedly subjected to words like "dude" or "gnarly." All I can say to "K.I.R." is - bless your heart!

- Proud Belle in Arkansas

DEAR ABBY: I had lunch with the CEO of a big corporation. He is Harvard-educated with a doctorate from Berkeley. When he ordered "smashed taters with gravy" no one thought HE was a hick.

- Smiling in Seattle