Southern Gentlemen...

This is quite random, but it is something I've noticed while living out here.
But first let me back up a bit...
My momma raised me right, I know this because I have manners... If I come to an automatic door at the same time as someone older than myself, I let them go before me. If it is a manual door, I open the door for them. If it's someone my age or younger, I walk thru and hold the door open (not letting it slam shut in their face). If I'm coming out of an aisle into the main aisle and there is someone walking down the main aisle, I wait for them to go by before pulling out.  I started saying "yes sir" and "no ma'am" but I realized in the Midwest people don't want to be called sir or ma'am.
Fast forward to life in the "south". I know what you are thinking...Virginia isn't south... I thought that too--but it truly is. I don't know what else you'd call the state that had the Capitol of Confederacy (for those--like me--that paid no attention in American History class--Richmond was just that).
Here I can call people Sir or Ma'am without getting a dirty look, and I don't give them a dirty look when they call me Ma'am.  I'm showing my respect to them, and they to me.  I have no problem saying "Thank you Sir" to the man that looked up and got the correct lug nut for my car. Additionally I had no problem with him saying "My pleasure, Ma'am".
I've noticed this for a while here, but since I've started my new job, it's become more apparent.  Men hold doors for women here 90% of the time (I think the 10% are transplants....).  Age does not matter, they will hold the door for you even if you are 10 feet behind them. I was super impressed today when there were six women and one man waiting for the elevator this morning.  He let us all on first, leaving us taking up all the wall space so he left front and center of the elevator doors.  We all got off on the sixth floor, and instead of stepping out of the elevator this man stepped to the side (between two women) and let every last one of us off before he himself stepped off. I was so impressed. The sad part--I shouldn't be. This is how everybody should live--with manners. Like Ellen says--BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER!