A common stereotype about southerners is that they are lazy and uneducated, but this stereotype originates from misunderstandings due to differences in perspectives across regions. Southerners are neither stupid nor lazy but rather have a separate set of values. Whereas non-Southern American culture puts a heavy emphasis on doing everything possible to succeed in life, pursuing the "American Dream" to better oneself in society, southerners are content to just get by, which northerners see as laziness. These southerners are by no means being lazy, despite what the rest of the country thinks, for the southern mindset is that it is better to enjoy the fruits of your labor and relax than spend every hour of your life working to buy a better life.
Southerners take special pleasure in the simple things in life that don't need to bought from a store, such as an afternoon spent fishing or having Sunday dinner with the whole family every weekend. Many southerners would be content to spend all day, every day relaxing given the chance, but its not due to laziness; it's due to a certain inherent satisfaction with life that is uncommon in general populace.
I may be pushing it a bit, having already talked about this, but I believe The Andy Griffith Show captures this stereotype of southern "laziness" perfectly. Mayberry is a sleepy little town in North Carolina, where everyone knows each other and no one has a care in the world. Whatever little mishaps that arise are always handled in a calm and relaxed manner, and in general, everyone simply enjoys one another's company.
The show's them song perfectly describes this wonderful southern attitude.
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