Culture Shock

I know, we have lived in South Carolina for a little over three and a half years now, but I still have moments of culture shock and the realization that I will never truly fit in here in the South. Most of the time I go along with life feeling (or pretending) like this is home and enjoying myself, or I just grin and bear it. Then there are days like today. Blair and I had several places to go, and for some reason each and every place a random lady had to talk with and interact with her. Or should I say him. Why is it that if your baby girl is not all dolled up in a dress or have something printed on her clothing that screams girl that she is a he? Blair had on a plain PINK onesie with plain cotton gray pants and PINK booties. Appropriate attire for an infant...comfortable, easy to move in (quite important when you are a baby learning to move about) and cozy without fear of ruining it with spit-up. She did have a PINK bow in her hair, but after several attempts of eating it I surrendered.

So, after each lady complemented me on how cute "he" is, I proceeded to say "Yes, SHE is sweet, it is so fun to finally have a GIRL." No apologies, aha moments, or "oops, sorry for calling her a boy." Just ignoring me and moving on. Maybe they were muttering something under their breath as they walked silently away about me needing to put her in a dress. Perhaps Carter's, Gap, Old Navy and other comfy infant clothing makers have perks in the Midwest and not here. Or maybe this isn't a Southern thing at all? I'm not sure, but I think I will continue to experience culture shock in some way or another until the day we move. Or maybe I am just having a bad day...