I’m definitely back in the southern United States. After arriving from Rome in Atlanta yesterday I found myself with an appetite at ATL, and saw on concourse C a branch of Paschal La Carousel where I was promptly greeted throughout my first dining experience in the US (since leaving here on January 3) with a congenial “Baby” whenever the waitress asked a question or dropped off anything at the table. Lest the reader think I was somehow special, let me tell you otherwise: even an elderly couple at the table next to me was addressed, in plural, with “Can I bring you anything else, babies?” I’m so back in the south….