Born and raised in the North-East. I'll be a summer analyst in a group located in a Southern state this year.
Will cultural differences mean anything in terms of my internship?
Essentially, are bankers in the South any different than bankers in the North? I don' want to risk accidentally insulting anyone; I realize Northerners are often seen as more callous than Southerners.
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Just respect others' opinions and preferences and you'll be fine. We in the south do not like yankees coming down to our land and tell us how to live. Generally just be respectful and treat people with kindness, normal stuff that we take extremely seriously down south.
I've lived in the Northeast and the Southeast. People in the South aren't friendlier; they're just better at faking it. The main differences are small: strangers might make small talk in the elevator, people tend to remember stories that you tell (e.g. if you tell someone your aunt is sick, that person will ask about your aunt the next time that they see you), etc.
I'm not sure which city you're going to, but Atlanta and Charlotte are great. Both have many people who moved from New York.
We, in the south, are better people.
I would like to add that generally the culture in the South is more relaxed/laid-back.
The "cultural differences" are way overblown. Unless you are personally a bad northeastern stereotype or run into bad southern stereotypes (which you won't really encounter working in a major city in finance), you won't notice it 99% of the time.
Everyone above is wrong. You very quickly need to go out and buy a late model American made pickup truck, get a gun rack and a Confederate flag tattoo. You probably want to impregnate your cousin and give the kid two first names because that shows that you really know Southern culture and are dedicated.
In reality it's not that much different especially if you're in a big city like Atlanta or Charlotte. I was born and bred in the Northeast but I've done a lot of business down south and spent a lot of time there. People, especially those who grew up there (lots of transplants in those two cities), tend to be a little more formal and old school, for example they'll use Sir or Mam and Mr./Mrs. more often when addressing other adults but it's really not too different. People tend to be more religious but it's rarely thrown in your face. The comment above about not being a Northeastern stereotype is probably the easiest way to say it.
the types of people in finance in the south are not what generates the stereotypes about southerners.
one thing I've noticed (lived in the south my whole life) is people may be slightly less direct, but the best advice I can give you is make it a point to visit charleston, new orleans, and the blue ridge mountains.
Once your internship is done, get the fuck out of there ASAP.
I'm guessing you've never visited. go to a big city, this woman, along with the klan, stars & bars, people who fuck their sister, and more, are part of the 0.001% of southerners (if not less).
actually, I take that back. don't come visit, you're a hick of a different variety, keep on thinking we're bible totin ignorant racists. enjoy winter.
git 'r' done!
I'm certain that there are many wonderful and intelligent people in the south. I posted that half-jokingly (unfortunately).
Remember, this woman was democratically elected by the people of the state (and to the education board, nonetheless). That really says something about a large portion of the population.
I honestly wish that I could post that 100% jokingly but that is the reality of the situation.
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