I’m not saying we’re dishonest or that we aren’t free to speak our minds—we do speak our minds, often and sometimes loudly. What I’m saying is that we’re a fairly polite people, and most of us don’t want any trouble. Below you’ll find 11 things Arkansans don’t say out loud for one reason or another. Whether it’s pure politeness or just plain old self-preservation, we’re just not comfortable discussing these topics.

1. "I’m severely disappointed in the performance of the Razorbacks and I would no longer support them if I hadn’t bought all that expensive merchandise."
Flickr/AGB in AR
This one might be the most taboo of all, frankly. Arkansans don’t just drop the hogs without some serious backlash.
2. "I don’t eat catfish, because it’s disgusting."
Flickr/Kat Selvocki
I know, it’s not very Arkansan not to prefer what is probably our most iconic fried meat, but some people just don’t like catfish.
3. "Sweet tea is terrible."
Flickr/Cassia Noelle
This one is a good way to lose your Southern street cred.
4. "My political views are vastly different from yours, so let’s argue."
Flickr/Iowa Public Radio Images
We might be willing to delve into troubled waters on the internet, but at the dinner table? No thanks. It’s impolite, and we do care about politeness, after all.
5. "I think fishing is gross."
Flickr/MRHSFan
It’s definitely not a good idea to tell avid fishermen that you can’t stand minnows or worms or sticky heat on the shore of a river, and Arkansas has a lot of avid fishermen.

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6. "I’ve never floated on a tube, in a kayak or canoe, and I don’t plan on doing it anytime soon."
Flickr/Buffalo Outdoor Center
It really isn’t necessary to tell people this one. You’ll probably wind up feeling like an alien, because it’s kind of like being over the age of seven and admitting you don’t know how to ride a bike.
7. "Hiking is boring."
Flickr/OakleyOriginals
Okay, you can say this one...just don’t say it to an adult wearing a backpack full of trail mix and water. You might get told that only boring people get bored.
8. "I can’t stand the outdoors."
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
It's seriously unwise to utter these words out loud in the Natural State. I mean, it is called the Natural State.
9. "I hate my hometown."
Flickr/E M
It’s not wise to say this one within a few counties of your hometown even. You never know who’s standing just an aisle away, and the last thing you need is to have a dispute with Becky from third grade in the soup aisle.
10. "Sometimes I don’t tell people where I’m from because I don’t want to hear terrible jokes about the Natural State."
Flickr/Jean
I know we’re supposed to be forever proud, but sometimes it can be trying to deal with all the inappropriate jokes or unnatural fascination. Still, we can’t dispel those terrible stereotypes if folks don’t know where we’re from.
11. "Arkansas is overrated."
Flickr/JBull01
There are enough haters out there that we don’t need to aid them with our own indictments of the Natural State. And I think we all know that, deep down.

For a useful list of dos and don’ts for living in the Natural State, click here. You might also want to check out these Arkansas jokes that are actually funny.

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