The expression “southern hospitality” has always been a mythical term for someone such as myself. This concept graces the pages of American legends and beautifully sets the script for many great Hollywood movies. When you have survived metropolitan cities such as Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles you would understand exactly what I am talking about.

I am Edwin Samson and I have the privilege of living in Natchez for a brief period while my wife has our first child. The Loy family has graciously opened their home to us and the Community Hospital has given me the opportunity to earn a small income. We are missionaries heading for an overseas assignment, but before we depart, our souls have an opportunity to be filled with joy living in this wonderfully pleasant town.

Though Amy can call this place home, I am an American foreigner and it is terribly apparent (I am also Filipino in nationality). However, because I am an outsider in more ways than one, I believe I can give Natchez a sincere perspective of just how hospitable this town is. Throughout these next few months, I will frequent every establishment I possibly can, meet with residents and frequent regularly attended gatherings. My goal is to learn the delightful truth about “southern hospitality.”

Observation 1:

The traffic in Los Angeles is bumper to bumper. In order to get from point A to B, one must be an offensive driver as opposed to a defensive one. If one refuses to be rude or aggressive on the highway, then expect to be run off the road, miss an exit or never make a lane change. The universal hand gesture as common as a morning greeting is a wave of the hand (in the shape of a bird or plane). Staring each other down and mouthing words of profanity is yet another form of communication on the freeways of L.A. Driving to work is like surviving a battle with the horn as your weapon.

Natchez driving on the other hand has left me in awe. On numerous occasions people have waved hello to me. This time, their waves were sincere and with smiles (not angry and flipping me the bird). When someone puts their blinker on to make a lane change, cars actually slow down and let them in. Several times, I have observed cars pull out of parking lots right in front of oncoming traffic. Instead of a car crash (due to speeding) or honking (due to anger), vehicles slow down sometimes coming to a complete stop. No one gets out of their cars to fight or throws a beer bottle at the other for causing an accident. How impressive! Most people obey the speed limit, which seems to be 5 miles over the posted speed. And best of all, stress is not associated with driving in this town.

Natchez, thank you for driving so politely. If this is but a small taste of southern hospitality, I am thoroughly impressed. Fortunately, there are numerous examples that I am delighted to share with you in the months to come. See you in town!

Edwin Samson is a missionary temporarily living in Natchez.