This is something that you know if you're Southern. I will help you out here. Bless your heart is a traditional Southern saying, and I don't think you really know what it means.
You know you've seen movies with Southern characters. You know you've heard the phrase. (The two can be quite different.)
"Bless your heart" is actually an insult. Yeah. I said it. It really is. I'm sure you've not heard it in that context very often. But it's true. "Bless your heart" really means that the sayer thinks it's fortunate that you're bright enough to tie your shoes. It's a finishing school thing. I will admit, I've never been to finishing school. But if you've met my Momma, and know the importance of Hallmark cards, you might have a clue.
Most people say it as if to say, "I'm so sorry." These are not bad people (women). They just don't know.
You need to know the glory of sarcasm in order to get this right. Bless your heart is an awful phrase, but so endlessly useful.
If you need examples, feel free to let me know. I'll be glad to teach you. Just, please, don't ask me about JuWantTo. I'm not quite ready to explain that.
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