Accepting the differences between the North and the South. North-South Eating, literally interpreted, refers to a person's taste for food that he is able to eat with a smile, regardless of whether the food is loved in the South or in the North. This expression is often used to describe a person with a wide range of preferences and tastes who can accept and enjoy both southern and northern food. A deeper meaning is that it describes a person with a tolerant and open mind, able to accept and understand the culture and customs of different regions.