What Southern Women Know has sat tattered on my bed stand for fifteen years. It’s the only book that never leaves my bed stand.

True story. It was mid-December seven years ago. I was telling my husband how I knocked his gift out of the park…and, bam, sheer panic overtook his face. He knew he better act—and act quickly to find a killer gift.

Nate saw that tattered cover sitting on my bed stand, and it inspired an idea. He would write the author, Ronda Rich, to see if she’d be willing to meet me, just for coffee. Come Christmas morning, he’d hope to surprise me with a trip to Georgia and a coffee date with my favorite author.

“Dear Mrs. Rich,  You don’t know me, but I have a favor to ask of you. You see, I’d bet my wife has read and re-read your book more than anyone. Could you be so kind as to meet her for a cup of coffee? You should do this for the following three reasons. One, she’s your biggest fan. Two, you’d be the best of friends. And three, if you do this for me, I will never have to buy her a gift again!”  

Nate had mail in his inbox the next day. “Dear Nathan, (Better read in your best Southern accent) The fact a husband would do this for his wife is touching, and a sign of your adoration for her. Not only will I accept your offer, I’ll one up it. Why don’t you both fly to Georgia, and my husband and I will plan to take you both out for a couples dinner to remember!”

The rest is history. One dinner turned into two… turned into Christmas card exchanges, and a friendship that will be forever coveted.

I often get asked, “What is it? What is it about the book that keeps your reading, and re-reading?” So I present to you…. A sneak peek into What Southern Women Know.

Southern women…

Gently disarm their opponent with charm

• Ronda defines charm as “the art of making others feel good about themselves and about you.”  
• You can do so by sugarcoating a stern message.  Deliver any criticism with a heavy dose of flattery.  “Say three nice things for every bad thing you have to say.”  Once you deliver a punch, segue into a compliment.
• ”The syrupy stickiness of sweet honey always catches more flies than the bitterness of liquid vinegar.”
• A woman can be both tough and nice.

Act utterly feminine

• Your femininity is one of your greatest gifts.
• Ronda says while some women think the best way to compete in a professional world dominated by men is to imitate a man, Southern women shamelessly flaunt their femininity.  
• Never be ashamed of your femininity. See it as one of their cherished tools in business and life.

Compliment other women

• Both to their face and behind their back. 
• “She isn’t jealous. If she admires something that someone else has, she sets her mind to getting one for herself than envying the other woman.”

Create warmth wherever they go

• In relationship, at the office, in your home. Make everyone feel welcomed! Think Southern hospitality.
• “Always notice everyone around you…As you walk through the mall, down the aisle at church, or along the hallway at the office, acknowledge everyone with a nod, a smile, and a word…People mirror your treatment of them.”
• Treat everyone with the same amount of respect and kindness. Be it cabdrivers, waitresses, your boss or your prospective in-law’s.

Wear at least a light shade of lipstick to the grocery store

• Because you never know when life’s opportunities may knock. It just may be in Aisle 7.
• Always look your best, even if you feel your worst.  
• Know what to wear, where.
• Want an instant self-esteem boost? Take one minute to apply a fresh coat of lipstick.               

To purchase a copy of Ronda Rich’s What Southern Women Know, click here.