So if your character is from Alabama it could still work then.

Things that have helped me include:

• an alarm across the room that I have to get up to turn off.
• a light that turns on before that alarm
• an alarm app on my phone that can only be turned off by solving puzzles.
• having an engaging activity that I want to do ready for me and fit into my schedule
• getting up a little earlier so I have time to make a decent breakfast instead of grabbing some trash or just not eating.
• a TV set to turn itself on and set to a channel that shows stuff you can’t easily get used to (the history channel used to show random documentaries in the morning, no idea what it’s like now)
• strict discipline about never sleeping in even when I can.
• avoiding spending time in my bedroom when I’m not trying to sleep.
• setting a reminder to start getting ready for bed
• popping melatonin when that reminder goes off if I’m not already tired.
• drink water before drinking caffeine.
• stop caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime.
• prescription medication in the morning. Not enough to replace all the other stuff, but definitely something that makes a huge difference with my sleeping disorder.

I just tell people “Eh, I’m still on the right side of the grass.”

I grew up poor in a fairly cosmopolitan city, and I still felt like I was going to crawl out of my own skin the first time I went to a slightly dressy business event. I have no fucks to give anymore, but back in the day, this would have probably been a fairly reasonable disaster preparedness plan if I had to be invited to something formal with a lot of social expectations that I was not familiar with.

It’s walking into a different culture, and while the hosts should be understanding, it can be reasonable to prepare someone who isn’t familiar with the culture before sending them in. Still, no need to be a dick about it.

Reminds me of my cousin. Her parents are lovely people, but they are not exactly… refined. Her dad in particular makes a first impression that I’d describe as a somewhat toned down Earnest P Worrell. And while he isn’t stupid he never learned a lot of important life skills and his past mistakes have have caused a fair amount of hardship, and that only fuels the resentment.

By the time she was in high school it was clear my cousin was ashamed to be associated with her family. She kept her home life and social life as far apart as possible, and she was always excited to spend time with members of our extended family that she saw as much more normal. (Especially funny to me since my mom made that list and I’ve seen that woman scratch herself with the cutlery while dining out). She was also pretty fucking rude to her parents, openly talking crap about them while they were in the room. Very shitty, but not exactly shocking for a teenager in her position.

Fast forward to today when my aunt and uncle own a hipstery restaurant, while my cousin got knocked up ended marrying a contractor / meth head.