10 Common Misconceptions about People from Charleston, South Carolina

Every culture; every region; every lifestyle has common behaviors and ways of life. Often times, perceptions are made based on entertainment, media, and even word of mouth. We uncovered some common misconceptions people have about Charlestonians:

1. Everyone in Charleston has a strong Southern accent. In reality, many residents are transplants from other areas, and accents vary widely.

2. Charlestonians only eat fried foods. While Southern cuisine is popular, the city has a diverse food scene with many culinary options.

3. They only listen to country music. Charleston actually has a vibrant music scene including jazz, indie, and other genres.

4. All Charleston women are like Scarlett O’Hara. This Hollywood stereotype doesn’t reflect the diversity of women in the city.

5. Life in Charleston is exactly like the TV show “Southern Charm”. The reality show doesn’t accurately depict everyday life for most residents.

6. Everything moves slowly in Charleston. While the city has a relaxed vibe, not everything is slow-paced[1].

7. All Charlestonians live in historic homes downtown. In reality, many live in modern homes and suburbs outside the historic district.

8. Everyone in Charleston is extremely wealthy. The city has diverse socioeconomic levels, not just “old money”.

9. Charlestonians are uneducated or “slow”. In fact, Charleston has several highly-ranked educational institutions.

10. All residents are obsessed with sports and drive pickup trucks. While some fit this stereotype, Charleston offers diverse interests and lifestyles.

What to learn more? Here are a few great additional articles:

10 Misconceptions About Charleston – Walks of Charleston  
Debunking Common Myths about Charleston – The Cassina Group 
19 Stereotypes About South Carolina That Need To Be Put To Rest – Only in Your State
Charleston Tour to Correct Myths About City – WLTX

Stay connected and subscribe to Charleston Daily.