There’s a lot that makes Louisiana special…the food, the people, the culture, there’s just so much! Sometimes, you forget that everything around us is pretty specific to Louisiana. And these strange habits are what make Louisiana special—and we’ll defend these things to the death.
1. Calling all soft drinks "coke"
"Want a coke?"
"Sure"
"What kind?"
"Dr. Pepper"
You’ve definitely had that conversation before. While it’s not unique to Louisiana, it is unique to the south. We’d never call it pop or soda!
2. Owning a parade ladder
If you have young kids, you probably have one of these in your shed right now. Whether you built it yourself or it was gifted to you by someone whose kids outgrew it, it’s a staple for parades. (Also, try explaining this to someone from the north. You will get several questions and strange looks.)
3. Spelling things with -eaux
We love our Cajun/Creole roots, and really, everything is just better when it ends in eaux. Geaux Tigers!
4. Planning life events around football schedules
Ragin' Cajuns, Tigers, and the Saints are the top teams of choice, and you probably know someone who has scheduled a wedding or family event around the football schedule of one of these teams.
5. We’re friendly to everyone
Asking "How’s ya mama and dem?" and really wanting to know! We’ll talk to anyone. Strangers at the store, in line at the bank, or to people passing by on the street. We’re a friendly bunch, for sure.
6. The napkin test
It’s the only way to determine how good a po’boy really is.
7. Saving newspapers
Gotta have them for the next crawfish boil!
8. Sucking the heads
It’s where all the flavor is!
9. Second Lines
Weddings, funerals, or just the typical Tuesday. Second Lines are a wonderfully unique part of Louisiana that you just don’t experience anywhere else.
10. Asking someone where they went to high school
Meeting someone for the first time and asking where they went to high school is something you’re probably guilty of at least once in your life.
11. Seasoning everything with Tony’s (or Tabasco)
We do love spicy food here in Louisiana. We tend to reach for Tony’s just as often as we would salt and pepper, and honestly, it does make the dish better! And adding some Tabasco to a plate of red beans and rice is simply divine.
12. Measuring distance by time
"Go up the road about 10 minutes and take a left" instead of "Go up the road about 5 miles and take a left". You’ve been guilty of this before, you know it!
13. Giving directions using water landmarks
You’ve probably also been guilty of giving someone directions by telling them to go "over the river", "down the bayou" or "on the other side of the canal".
14. Using the "baggie and penny" method to keep the flies away
Some people swear by this method: fill a ziplock bag of water and throw some shiny pennies in and hang it anywhere you want to keep the flies away. Supposedly, this also works for mosquitos and wasps. Have you ever tried it?
How many of these habits have you done? What are some other Louisiana habits? Add yours to the comments below!
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