The southern belle card

I have noticed a running trend at my workplace. Whenever I need to negotiate with external people (sometimes internal people as well) my boss and I agree that I should pull the southern belle card.

Sweet, southern belles. How can you say no to that?

This, of course, meaning that I thicken up the proper part of my accent and raise my voice by an octave - something I have been perfecting since my childhood. 

Oh, and batting my eyelashes is a crucial part of the process. This must be done as though the person on the other end of the phone can actually see you. Quit laughing. I'm serious - It actually helps create the persona.

But today, I outdid myself. To the delight of my boss, I managed to successfully become the snarky southern belle.

That's right. I was the southern belle's antithesis while also being the southern belle. And I got my way.

Could I do again? Probably not. Am I even sure how I did it? Not at all. Am I super proud? Absolutely.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Southern belles can be snarky and sassy. And I agree, but usually when you're trying to play the southern belle card, you don't incorporate anything except pristine, sweet femininity.

Snarky doesn't fall in that category.

Bless my heart, this was a one time performance!