by Dan H.
Member since:
August 9, 2007

Lazy Southerners!!!

October 22, 2007 01:26 PM UTC
views: 0 | 1 person recommends this | comments: 49

You may have come across the stereotype of southerners being lazy. Did you know that there actually may be a bit more to this than you think. The south was well known for having an Iron Deficiency relative to much of the rest of the US. Iron is crucial to one's diet for the healthy and proper development of red blood cells. Those who are deficient in Iron often have fatigue as a result of the anemia they're facing. Thus, what was simply a dietary deficiency (which led to fatigue from anemia) has helped to create the stereotype of southerners as being lazy.

Comments: 49

Ashley B. Oct 22, 2007, 1:27pm UTC
Interesting!
Michelle W. Oct 22, 2007, 1:28pm UTC
Now that is interesting because in all the years I grew up in Fl, I never had any problems. Once I moved to NC, I ended up with all kinds of allergies and sinus problems that I didn't have before as well as became anemic.
Tillie.tation M. Oct 22, 2007, 1:30pm UTC
agree with Lyla, stereotyping is never good.
Dan H. Oct 22, 2007, 1:31pm UTC
Exactly Lyla. I just wanted to explain part of the stereotype and show that it's not that the people there are lazy but that many had anemia and fatigue and the stereotype grew.
Alison H. Oct 22, 2007, 1:32pm UTC
Celiac disease is often the cause of anemia, is very common, yet 97% go undiagnosed.
Dan H. Oct 22, 2007, 1:34pm UTC
well, celiac is less frequent in our society even though it is often undiagnosed.
Stacie N. Oct 22, 2007, 1:34pm UTC
Funny...I had never heard that stereotype! Now, if I do, I can spread some facts.
Sandra T. Oct 22, 2007, 1:35pm UTC
That is really weird! I've heard of Iron Defiency but didn't know that the whole south may be that way!!!
Dan H. Oct 22, 2007, 1:35pm UTC
Anemia is a lot more common in life than you think, especially periods of anemia. For example, many women who have poor diets (just eat junk food) have anemia when they have their periods.
Birdee F. Oct 22, 2007, 1:42pm UTC
That IS interesting!
Kevin F Oct 22, 2007, 1:45pm UTC
Dan - I'm always skeptical about this sort of reductionist thinking. I take the approach William James did: 'Science can explain the existential causes, but not the significant causes.' Being largely idealistic rather than materialist, I think human traits such as 'laziness' are rooted in more complex entities than mineral deficiencies.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Oct 22, 2007, 1:47pm UTC
I love the layed back, easy going way of the South and can't wait to live there in a few months. I'll take that way of living over the fast paced, rushing around way of life I now have here in the hustle bustle city.
Ana S. Oct 22, 2007, 1:51pm UTC
And I thought it was the heat. But in reality...my in-laws from SC do more in the morning that most of us do all day!
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Oct 22, 2007, 2:00pm UTC
I've never heard that stereotype, actually.

All I know is that the times I have traveled south, I get the best customer service of anywhere in the states. Doesn't sound too lazy to me.
Rita Johnson Oct 22, 2007, 2:15pm UTC
interesting
Apryl Just Apryl Oct 22, 2007, 2:17pm UTC
This is also a result of extreme tempertures during the summer months. Southerners call lunch Dinner because tradtionally it was the large meal of the day. They awoke early , before dawn to begin their chores and came home for Dinner (lunch) before going back out in the fields. Having a light snack before bedtime.
Stacey "Yeah, I Said It" H. Oct 22, 2007, 2:49pm UTC
I dunno, Dan, I don't think diet plays much into it, but it's an interesting theory...
Stacie N. Oct 22, 2007, 2:56pm UTC
I have bouts of anemia. I am careful about my diet, but if I don't get enough iron-rich foods in, I have a hard time during my period. I choose not to take an iron supplement because it is rough on my stomach.
Jerri H. Oct 22, 2007, 3:33pm UTC
LOL!!! We had well water while I was growing up in Jax, FL.....when we moved just minutes away we had city water....between the lack of mineral rich water and my dislike for meat at the time, I became anemic....I had to take daily high doses of iron because my body flushed it instead of retaining it. Now that we live out in the stick and are back to iron rich well water I have no problems.
Jerri H. Oct 22, 2007, 3:34pm UTC
But as for lazy southerners....we are just more laid back and a large portion of our residents are older implants to the southern states ;)
Jerri H. Oct 22, 2007, 3:35pm UTC
:P
Nancy S. Oct 22, 2007, 3:49pm UTC
Did you run across a reason for the deficientcy in the south?
a hamon Oct 22, 2007, 3:55pm UTC
Subclinically low thyroid levels probably afflict those who aren't anemic. The thyroid test is normal or even borderline, so supplements are not given. A person can pack on incredible weight without eating, and ironally has little or no appetite, because even the stomach is too sluggish to process food, (gastroparesis) and the fatigue is awful. Possible causes are iodine defficiency, heredity, auto immune syndromes of other types, and routine vaccinations for some people. The same foods (beef and pork) that provide natural source of thyroid also would help boost iron levels. My first advice for anyone with this fatigue would be to add meat and light exercise to their day, and supplements such as Armour natural thyroid, and monitor iron as well.
DL "Duchess of Nonsense" Dzioba Oct 22, 2007, 4:04pm UTC
But I'm not lazy.
And my Iron levels are good.
Sheila Deeth Oct 22, 2007, 4:11pm UTC
Fascinating idea.
Sheila Deeth Oct 22, 2007, 4:12pm UTC
I guess I thought I was sleepy rather than lazy, then they decided I was celiac.
debra g. Oct 22, 2007, 4:13pm UTC
I live in North Carolina and was not lazy.I worked 48-80 hours a week until I trashed my back.Where in the world did you pick this mess up from?I have to much iron in my blood so reread your facts.
Emma L. Oct 22, 2007, 5:33pm UTC
Interesting- I know genetics form a lot of stereo-types...like native americans or irish being drunks (and I can say that cuz I'm both!) It has more to do with the way the metabolize alcohol...and yes there are alcoholics in the family tree.
I always thought the Southern thing came from the way they speak- slower/ drawl- that fed into that stereotype!
Betty DeRamus Oct 22, 2007, 7:06pm UTC
Hummm,,,well Dan, being that I am southern through and through I must tell you just how wrong you are. #1. I am not lazy,,, proof. single mom,, I work between 90-104+ hours a week, I am a welder, I also once getting off work go cook and take care of my mom...when I get home I have my girls and choirs I do there, cooking, laundry, dishes, etc....Now by 7:30 pm I hope to be in bed....due to I get up at 2am so that I can start all over again.
#2. My iron is great,, probably better than most...
#3. Ohhhhh being that I work 10-14 hours a day, I do that WELDING.
Now here are some facts about the south...
We are neighborly, kind, we will wave to you even if we do not know you.
We will help each other no matter if we like that person.
We are farmers, brothers, uncles, aunts, sister to those in the north, east, west.
We give and give to help the poor, even though we are probably "the poor"
Last but not least, we are excellent cooks...the food we cook may not be all that healthy, but once you have had a taste, you always come back for more.
Ya'll come back now ya here...
Betty DeRamus Oct 22, 2007, 7:07pm UTC
Oh,, can't give a rating on this one......sorry,,
ChrisJerri S. Oct 23, 2007, 8:49am UTC
Well, I'm a Southerner.....and I think I'm basically lazy, and I drink way too much tea, which once I read leeches the iron out of your system.
Donald M. Oct 23, 2007, 12:38pm UTC
Dan I am from TExas and definately not lazy. I pick and kid about being lazy, but that is it.
Barbara B. Oct 23, 2007, 1:16pm UTC
Dan, when I lived in Florida I was very energetic. Walked the
perimeter of the gated community where I lived everyday. Had
huge rose garden plus many other gardens on premises. Which
I worked constantly making them the most beautiful ones there!
Some residents told me I wouldn't be able to grow roses!! Then
within three months they were blossoming 50 roses at one time.
I even grew tomatoes, they said it could't be done! Two plants
yielded me big fat tomatoes for months. Oh my! I tend to ramble
so will get off my soapbox now!hehehe
Just Me
Barbie
Dan,
I am from the south and I usually have tons of energy, but here in the last three months or so, I seem so run down. I am not sure if it's because of my work load with two jobs, my lack of a healthy diet, or a low iron #, but I will get this checked out asap.
Thanks for the hints/help!
Leah A. Oct 23, 2007, 3:51pm UTC
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
Jo C. Oct 23, 2007, 10:10pm UTC
Incredible timing, read my latest article and iron and foods which take iron out of the system, leading to anemia. Greens sure did, including spinach and others.
Ashley W. Oct 23, 2007, 10:44pm UTC
Interesting, thanks for sharing. If only I could pass off my laziness as a deficiency!
Mel B. Oct 23, 2007, 11:09pm UTC
Well, all those times my mother called me a lazy shi* growing up, now I have another excuse to hand her.. Thanks Dan! lol..
Heather J. Nov 24, 2007, 1:44pm UTC
Nice Post, Please Feel Free To Take A Look At My Work As Well.
Leslie T. Dec 10, 2007, 5:56am UTC
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
Amy C. Dec 12, 2007, 2:36pm UTC
Never been lazy a day in my life! And I am southern by birth. Some of the hardest working people I know are southern. A lot of their jobs are physical jobs. I never heard of this stereo type however I have heard the term red neck which is rather funny too because I am in Connecticut and I have seen some of the biggest rednecks here in the north. I think there are lazy people everywhere. Rednecks are everywhere... it depends on your upbringing.
Nick H. Dec 12, 2007, 4:44pm UTC
Thank you for posting this article. I am just stopping in to give you a 10 and to let you know I appreciate your posting here!

Take care! more
Kimber L. Dec 14, 2007, 2:18pm UTC
very interesting fact!
ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Jul 11, 2008, 11:47am UTC
Oh I love Betty's response...you go girl!!!! :)
Sherrie H. Jul 14, 2008, 7:14pm UTC
"I'm a tired Northern girl", she says, having just awakened from falling asleep in her desk chair. Again.
Dan H. Aug 8, 2008, 11:37am UTC
Thanks For Your Thoughts Everyone.
Dan H. Aug 8, 2008, 11:39am UTC
Thank You For Posting To:
http://friendsofdanh.gather.com.
Our goal is to help you further your exposure and to support other gather members.
Esmeralda Calayag-Ang Apr 19, 2010, 9:28am UTC
How come that they have anemia? I am curious why.
Sea Card Nov 27, 2011, 11:41am UTC
Believe me my friend, it has nothing to do with an iron deficiency. I think that it has more to do with a lack of education and intelligent upbringing. And for God's sake let's throw in their aptitude for mindless brutality and obsessive pedophilia.

They are all trash. They are the trash of our society. Look hard enough and you can trace over half of our countries problems right to the south.

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