<p>I'm from the North, and I was just wondering if there's anything I should know for when I go to Rice next year.</p>
<p>Like, would it be rude for me not to say "yes sir" or "yes ma'am"? Is it common for people to say "Ya'll"? Etc.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>People hold the doors open for others a lot. I’ve heard that this doesn’t happen as frequently in the north, so be prepared for that (don’t be that guy that holds the door open when the other person is like 30 feet away though, please). </p>
<p>I live in the Houston suburbs and people do say y’all a lot. It annoys me and I try not to use it if possible, but I’m probably one of the only ones who doesn’t like it.</p>
<p>People generally say yes sir/ma’am, though I don’t think it’s really a necessity that would offend people if omitted. Manners in general is prevalent in Texas/the South, please and thank you are pretty much expected. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t say that any of this is really important, however. You’re going to be on campus where there will be a bunch of people in the same boat as you. You’ll figure it out as you go along.</p>
<p>People at Rice are pretty casual. Just be nice, friendly, and polite.</p>
<p>Language really isn’t that big of a deal…Houston doesn’t feel very “southern” as far as the language stereotypes go. Maybe a bit more polite than you’re typical urban city dweller, but you will feel comfortable. The biggest adjustment is the definition of cold: In Houston that is defined to be anything 50s or below. Also, I’ve been told that if it snows while I’m there (it has happened in the past…could happen in the next 2.5 years), I will just laugh hysterically as the city (and school) shut down and people freak out for snow that barely sticks. (For reference, I’m from the suburbs of Chicago.)</p>
<p>This is true for anyone moving to another part of the country, but it used to gall me when “Yankees” moved down to Texas and proceeded to tell us how they did things better up north. Not cool. Also, don’t make fun of them when they think 50 degrees is cold. They KNOW it’s colder up north. Everything is relative!</p>
<p>I miss “y’all.” “Let’s go to y’all’s house” sounds much better than “Let’s go to you guys’ house” (with “guys’” pronounced “guyses”).</p>