Southern Belle Primer

Rating:
Summary: i would give it six stars, but that wasn't an option
Review: After finishing my freshman year at Duke University, I was a little confused as to why most of the people I met were surprised when they found out that I had already chosen my silver pattern (Francis I) and that I was actually looking forward to Rush Week. And when I came back to the dorm incensed one afternoon because I had had to stand up on the bus while young men were sitting down, these same friends just stared blankly at me. After coming home for the summer and complaining to a fellow belle about my confusion and their inablility to sympathize, she told me to read this lovely book. After doing so, I felt once again that all was right with the world. Mrs Schwartz ratifies my southern belle credo like nobody's buisiness. She also presented many things that I had always known but was never aware that I had known, like why it was WRONG to wear red during rush, and why I was scandalized to see women going to class in pyjamas. Many of my yankee girlfriends considered my outlook on life to be somewhat superficial, but after reading this book I realized that this is because they were never taught to "sparkle" and because they were not raised to believe with all their hearts that they were princesses. A SOUTHERN BELLE PRIMER is a must-read for anyone looking for re-affirmation of his or her southern views, or for anyone confused about what that southern heritage actually is.

Rating:
Summary: a book to help my yankee friends understand me!
Review: at long last! Finally, written proof for my Yankee friends, that I really am telling the truth when I tell them tales of silver pattens (including the silver pattern zodiac), Southern Sorority Rush, cotillions, cooking with co-cola, and many other instutitions of Southern Gentility. For years, my Yankee friends have laughed when I have sent sub-standard iced tea back in restaurants, served deviled eggs, and tried to explain the difference between "darlin;", "cute", "sweet", "precious" and "nice". I'm going to buy a copy of this book for each and every one of my friends not fortunate enough to be born South of the Mason-Dixon line!

Rating:
Summary: Truth hits the funnybone
Review: Being a Southern Belle is not for the faint hearted. There is a plethora of rules, spoken and unspoken that govern daily life. This is a humor book, but this humor hits a bit close to the bone. From big hair, silver patterns, sorority choices, wedding planning, finger bowls, Junior League and choosing a place to live, the true Southern Belle must be very discerning. This is a great gift to give to any southern expatriate or anyone who longs to be a Southern Belle.

Rating:
Summary: Yea!
Review: Finally a book that explains to my husband why we do the things we do! Although we were both native Texans, he never really understood all the rules. I first read this book in college with all my sorority sisters. We passed one copy of this book areound until the cover nearly fell off! It was all too true, I will keep a copy to share with my children (especially legacies! )

Rating:
Summary: A "Southern Belle Primer" is Just Darling.
Review: For all you ladies who have dreamed of becoming southern belles, Ms. Schwartz has written a book to explain exactly why you may never succeed. It is not something you can achieve through training, it is something given at birth, like a legacy. However, this book will help you to RECOGNIZE a southern belle, in the event that you wouldn't know one without a hoop skirt. It also teaches the importance of Junior League, a proper chicken salad and finding a husband whose mother's tastes in silver don't clash with your own. For anyone whose love affair with the south didn't end when Rhett walked out, and anyone who love a good laugh, served with canned cream of mushroom soup and velveeta cheese.

Rating:
Summary: Completely true, but made me laugh!
Review: Having been born and raised in the South, and a college student in New England, I HAD to get this book. No one ever believes my stories of cotillions, chicken salad, and Junior League--but soon they will! My only regret is that it wasn't longer. I could have gone on reading the book for years!

Rating:
Summary: The truth can be scary!
Review: Having grown up in Alabama, Florida and Texas and experienced similar stories and events first hand, I can tell you that this is a great reflection of Southern female society. Although it has a "tonge-in-cheek" feel to it, make no mistake..... these are the rules to live or be ostricized by.

Rating:
Summary: I'm not a southern belle...
Review: However, I had fun reading this book. The sections on china patterns and sororities had be in tears as they corrollate with sections of my life. Since I'm black, I will never be a souther belle who is a Kappa Kappa Gamma, but I am the black equivalent; a BAP (Black American Princess).

Rating:
Summary: This book is disgusting
Review: I found this book on the shelf at one of my friends houses. I read it, and am completely bewildered. Is the author trying to be funny, or are there really people in the south who will shun you because you use the wrong kind of mayonnaise? This book focuses on tiny, petty things like wearing the right color shoes at the right time of year, and saying that something is nice when you are really trying to say it is terrible. Well, in that case, this book is "nice." If this is what the ladies of the south are like, petty and silly, I hope I never go there.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and true!
Review: I have had this book since it was first published. And it is funny and hits home. I just love it. Marilyn Schwartz knows what it means to be Southern.