Southern Culture Shock... ...not being a native Southerner, I am continually amused, delighted, and tickled by some of the cultural difference I've encountered in my years here....here is one. I've noticed that older southern black women often refer to/call their husbands by their last names. I am curious as to the origin of this really....many times I'll hear "Well I told Fitzgerald we need to go on vacation" or "Me and Fitzgerald went to the store", Fitzgerald obviously being the last name. I think it is so cute, but have no clue where this comes from.