Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
We Arkansasans are a diverse bunch. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t share some commonalities, like the way we speak or the foods we eat. And those similarities are especially evident when an out-of-towner is among us. In fact, there are several foolproof ways to spot a non-Arkansasan (or worse, someone pretending to be from the Natural State). So, the next time you’re wondering whether or not you’re in the midst of an imposter, look for the following tell-tale signs.
Just because Wal-Mart got its start in Arkansas and its headquarters are still located in the Natural State, it’s a common stereotype that all residents work at the big-box retailer, which is clearly a silly misconception – and a dead giveaway of an imposter.
Here in Arkansas, "coke" doesn’t just mean Coca-Cola. It’s used to refer to just about any sugary, carbonated beverage. So, if you hear someone utter the words, "soda" or "pop," they’re likely an out-of-towner.
Sure, at first glance, deer are cute. However, they can wreak havoc on the roadways. In fact, they cause serious accidents all the time, which is why Arkansasans know not to be deceived by their adorable appearance.
For someone to say they don’t like fried foods is basically incomprehensible, and that’s because, in Arkansas, you can get just about anything fried, from fish and chicken to Twinkies and veggies.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in the existence of the Boggy Creek Monster, you’ve definitely heard of the notorious creature, as have all residents. Someone with zero knowledge of the infamous monster is likely not from the Natural State.
In a majority of the country, the term "snipe hunt" refers to a practical joke– and that’s because many are under the assumption that snipes are an imaginary animal. However, most residents know that snipes are very real and are native to Arkansas. A wading bird, snipes’ erratic flight behavior makes them difficult to shoot, giving rise to the term "sniper" for a skilled sharpshooter and "snipe hunting" for an impossible task.
Many residents joke that the mosquito might as well be the state bird, and there’s a reason for that – they’re everywhere! During the summer, mosquitoes come out in full force, quickly reiterating the fact that bug spray is a must in Arkansas.
Here in Arkansas, there’s only one way to drink tea – cold and sweet! If you hear someone in a restaurant order hot tea, be warned: that "someone" is probably an out-of-towner.
10. They’re surprised that tractors are street legal.
Every Arkansas resident has been stuck behind a slow-moving tractor at some point. It happens all the time. Anyone not familiar with tractor-induced traffic jams, clearly doesn’t hail from the Natural State.
So, what do you think? Are these tell-tale signs of an out-of-towner? What are some other ways to spot an imposter in Arkansas? Tell us!
There’s a lot to love about the Natural State, including these five natural wonders, which get even better after it snows.
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