Spring Break
Southern hospitality goes beyond wealth
By Mandy Derfler
Issue date: 5/18/06 Section: J School Travels
Originally published: 6/1/06 at 3:04 PM CSTLast update: 6/2/06 at 11:02 AM CST
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Mississippi has ranked No. 1 in the index for eight years, the most recent index being 2004, even though it is the poorest state in the nation.
The per capita income of Mississippi is $24,650, ranking 51 for the 50 states and District of Columbia.
John Rushing, a retired Columbus, Miss., resident, said he's not surprised by the index at all.
"Shoot, we're Southerners, you know?" he said. "People will come to your aid in this state. They always have for me."
His wife said Mississippi is the poorest state "because everyone gives (their money) away, unless they're just trying to buy their way into heaven. People really are giving down here. They'd give you the coat off their back," she said.
Other residents agree Mississippi is brimming with southern hospitality.
Regina Spiers a Gulfport, Miss., resident, lost everything when her trailer floated away.
"You name it; we lost it," she said. "I couldn't believe this was something I'd live to see. If you think of what it looked like before, it's like someone flipped the switch on you."
During the storm, Spiers hitchhiked out of town with her daughter, four backpacks of clothes, and one bottle of water each. A motorist pulled over, and Spiers explained the situation.
"We'll help you," Spiers said the man told her. "The only thing I ask you is please be quiet. My baby's sleeping."
She spent two nights at Gulf Port High School, then Outback Steak House paid for her gas and arranged for her to get home.
Organizations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, Goodwill and churches went into action after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.
Lois Keigler's husband was in New Orleans when the storm hit and was missing for three weeks.
Red Cross and Salvation Army came through for the couple, she said smiling. The organizations helped find her husband in Austin and arranged for the two to be reunited.
Keigler, a resident herself, said Mississippi residents will "open their hearts to anybody."
Michael Petro, a stock broker for Edward Jones Investments, said the destitution of Mississippi makes the state so charitable.
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