New Orleans is a unique place, and it takes awhile to really understand it. Even though I have lived here for the vast majority of my life, there are still so many things I could never pretend to grasp living here. Here are some of the things that anyone who visits here should try to understand.

1) It’s crawfish, not crayfish.
Flickr.com / nola.agent
Get it right.
2) If you’re planning to stay in an Airbnb…understand there is controversy.
Shawn Price/flickr
There’s been a HUGE debate about Airbnb going on in NOLA for a while, and while they have created new regulations recently, there are still a lot of people who are upset about the effects the company has had on neighborhoods. Do your research!
3) We know that not everything is perfect here---in fact we know that a lot of things are messed up…
Flickr.com / Darrell Miller
But that doesn’t mean we want your opinion about it. We understand you may be trying to help…but how about you save the critique until you’ve lived here a little bit longer?
4) New Orleans will completely charm you for a while..
Flickr.com / VeryBusyPeople
But she can be a fickle mistress. If you’re here for the long haul, make sure you are prepared for ups and downs.

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5) If you come here and enjoy our traditions, please make sure you are generous with those who are upholding them.
Flickr.com / Martin Pilat
The artists, musicians, krewe leaders, and culture bearers in New Orleans are always in a struggle to make their lives work. If you’re enjoying something they are creating, make a point of ensuring that they are the ones benefitting and be as generous as you can be.
6) There’s no easy answer to the question, how are things since Katrina?
Flickr.com / Prince Roy
When so many things change in the matter of a day, it’s difficult to evaluate all of the changes this city has gone through over the past ten years. So the answer is—it’s complicated.
7) We do other things besides just party.
Flickr.com / Prayitno
While people from New Orleans certainly know how to have a good time, there are a lot of other things that we love to do as well.
8) Please be respectful of our city.
Flickr.com/ Mike Bitzenhofer
We really want you to have a good time here, but that doesn’t mean this place is a playground that you are free to trash. Be respectful and mindful of your surroundings, and we know that you will have a great time!
9) If you’re making a TV show or movie about New Orleans, please talk to people from here first.
Flickr.com / Infrogmation
They are always getting the accents wrong.

How many of these things do you agree with? What else do you think people should understand if they are going to spend time in New Orleans. Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear your feedback and ideas.

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