I got to visit “down south” last week – it wasn’t “real” down south, it was more Northern Down South – as in Raleigh, NC.  Before haters start losing their minds about me knocking the south – let me say – y’all have really nice weather!  I mean, every single time I go down south, or Northern southish areas – I always tell myself how stupid I am for living in Michigan – where we get 90 days +/- of semi-decent weather – which means, yes we wear shorts when it’s 50 degrees, because it’s 40 degrees warmer than 10 degrees, which is what we spend our lives in about 6 months a year.

Back to the Northern Down South of Raleigh and my Blessed Chicken Sandwich.

You know what we don’t have in Michigan – I mean besides warm weather, good schools, jobs and decent seafood?  We don’t have Chick-fil-A!  Well, wait a minute, I take that back, there’s one in Detroit – but we don’t count that one, because I really don’t want to get shot – plus it’s almost 2 hours away.  I’m not saying that I wouldn’t risk my life to get an original Chick-fil-A sandwich – because they are just about that good – I think it’s their secret ingredient they call “crack” which makes them so addicting.

So, when we got to the Northern Down South city of Raleigh we went to the the first Chick-fil-A we could find – I ordered two original sandwiches, drinks, etc. at the drive thru, and the worker said my total and then said “God Bless You”.  Um, what? “God Bless You, sir.”  Oh, boy – you just said “God Bless You” to an HR boy – I don’t even say “God Bless You” to my priest (not because I’m in HR, because I’m not Catholic, but still!).   Now, I get it – it’s about culture – Chick-fil-A isn’t open on Sundays and openly espouse their religious values in their corporate purpose:

Chick-fil-A exists “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”

I’m all good with people believing in who and what they want to believe in – that’s the HR in me – but when God comes between me and my favorite chicken sandwich – it just seemed a bit weird.  Now, I know – I’m a Yankee – I probably don’t get the Northern Deep South.  I’m sure the dude wasn’t trying to ruin my lunch by his attempt to be nice – but those individuals outside of the majority I’m sure feel a little uneasy about such open displays of religion in the work place.

God bless Chick-fil-A for driving their corporate culture – fiscally it has worked for them, there is no argument there. If they ever open a location in Lansing, MI I’m sure I’ll go, even if they “God Bless” me, for the simple fact I’m American, which means I’m willing to slide my ethics for a great chicken sandwich.