With all of the tourists that are always coming in and out of the city, there are a lot of wrong New Orleans stereotypes floating around. Sometimes, they can be pretty annoying because there are a lot of things that people get wrong about New Orleans. Luckily, we’re here to set the record straight. Here are some stereotypes about New Orleans, and why they are completely untrue!

1) Most people in New Orleans speak French.
flickr.com/sanfranannie
I’m not sure if this has ever been the case in the city.
2) People in New Orleans have no work ethic.
flickr.com/ccsj
WHOA—don’t get me started on this one. Just because we don’t privilege working for working’s sake, and spend time appreciating the arts, cultivating community, and nurturing our relationships with friends and family, does NOT mean we are lazy!!
3) Historically, New Orleans, and the French Quarter in particular, was primarily French.
flickr.com/photos/cogdog
Not quite, we actually have extensive history under Spanish colonial rule and many historians still debate which country was more influential on the city.
4) Mardi Gras is a bunch of wasted people exposing themselves on Bourbon Street.
Flickr.com / Don Pirolo
The truth is, if that’s all you think Mardi Gras is, then we don’t mind you just going on thinking that…

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5) The only music you can hear in New Orleans is jazz and brass bands.
Flickr.com / Erin Nekervis
Actually, there are all types of amazing music that have their roots in South Louisiana and New Orleans in particular. From soul singers to rap artists to bounce music---it all comes back to New Orleans! The modern music scene here is awesome!
6) Out-of-towners asking, "how are things since Katrina?", as if there’s a one sentence answer.
Flickr.com / News Muse
Ok, maybe this isn’t a stereotype, but I think it’s one of the most annoying things people do after I tell them I’m from New Orleans. The answer is complicated - let's leave it at that.
7) The main place to go out in New Orleans is Bourbon St.
Flickr.com / J Poet
Trust me--there's a lot more to going out in New Orleans than Bourbon St.
8) Cajun and Creole food are the same thing.
Flickr.com / Watchcaddy
NOPE! There’s a bunch of interesting articles you can read to explain all the history behind this. Go do it!
9) New Orleans is the “City That Care Forgot”—i.e. nobody cares about anything much in this city.
Flickr.com / Maitri
It’s funny—while there is certainly a live and let live attitude in New Orleans, I would say its citizens are far from apathetic. When there’s something being built, changed, or tweaked in someone’s neighborhood, you can bet there will be an army of community members showing up to that meeting, with printed signs in hand. Passion is easy to come by in these parts.

What wrong New Orleans stereotypes do you hear all of the time? Which ones did we miss from this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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