Art of Country Chattiness

From "Golden Girls"--
Blanche: I'm jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo.
Dorothy: That's pretty jumpy.


Overheard at Fitch's IGA (local grocery store)--
Cashier: Aren't you gonna buy your husband a candy bar?
Customer: No, he's not much for sweets.
Cashier: Well he likes you, doesn't he?
Customer: (laughs) Maybe that's it, I'm just sweet enough for him.

I am no good at sweet talk. Maybe sweet talk isn't the word for it; I'm referring to that cheeky, quick way people speak here in Kentucky. Its a little like flirting and sarcasm and banter.

And I can't get a handle on it. Like Dorothy, I'm left only to agree with the cashier or whoever-- "Yep, that's right" when I know there is a more appropriate, mildly witty response. When Dorothy responds to Blanche its their shtick, its funny. Dorothy is in a position to make Blanche seem over dramatic, an oddity because of her rural eloquence. But I'm far from being able to criticize humorously as I am odd woman out.

People in NJ don't seem to talk this way in public very often. If they do it is not the modest and yet provocative art of country chattiness.


From "The Office" (the funny BBC one)
David Brent: Its Banter.
Finchy: Its not Banter.
David Brent: No its not banter, no.