I think the smartass is just a yankee attitude in general. My stepfather is from Northern New York, so I am used to it and it doesn’t bother me. Matter of fact, I just jab back and end up becoming friends. Although I have had to convince them that they aren’t as smart as they think. Alot want to come take advantage of the stupid “Jethro” suckers down here and I explained that in the south, we are all pleasant and polite. And will smile and walk away and think you are a complete moron. They think the smiling is because we bought the line of crap. haha
If a southerner sees an ugly baby he would say “that’s a beautiful baby yall have”. Someone from the Midwest in the same situation would smile and change the subject “it sure looks like rain. We need it.” A person from Boston would say “damn that kids ugly” and a person from Jersey would shout “Your kid’s ugly and I can understand since your wife is so homely....hey, watzamatter ...did I say something wrong? what?”