Whether you were born and raised in Southern Californian or you’ve lived here long enough to call this stretch of California home, you most likely have discovered there are a few characteristics that distinguish us from the rest of the country. Take a look and see if these things ring true to determine if you are indeed a true Southern Californian.
- The word “Cali” makes you cringe.
flickr/paul hamilton If anyone dares utter the word “Cali” you can pretty much guarantee that person is not a true Southern Californian. We may say SoCal, but if you ever say “Cali” you will quickly be identified as a tourist.
- You know the In-N-Out menu by heart.
flickr/dave hogan
flickr/photoskate You’ve ordered here so many times that you know the menu by heart. Actually, you even know about a few things that are off the menu – like a burger or fries served Animal Style.
- Dining outdoors is a way of life.
flickr/michael seljos Whereas the rest of the country gets to dine outside for only a few months out of the year, we Southern Californians are used to dining outside all year long. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a lunch at a sidewalk cafe or dinner at night under the stars, a true Southern Californian can’t imagine not being able to dine outside.
- Rainy days are equivalent to Midwest snow days.
flickr/nancy I’m gonna snap It’s not always sunshine and blue skies in SoCal. On occasion, when we get a serious downpour, many Southern Californians choose to stay off the roads altogether and avoid driving because of bad road conditions. We’re just not used to slick roads, so oftentimes we just opt to stay home.
- You have no idea how to take public transportation.
flickr/joe wolf Let’s be honest, when you live in SoCal you rely on your car more than the average person. We are a freeway area, which makes having a car a total essential. And chances are you’ve never even used public transport because Southern California isn’t exactly known for having a decent public transportation system.
- You are a regular at the local farmers market.
flickr/suzie’s farmers market If you are officially a Southern Californian, chances are you shop at the local farmers market for most, if not all, of your produce needs. And, in true SoCal style, you also show up with all of your own grocery bags.
- Your version of “cold” is when the temps drop below 70.
flickr/silvia sala You can always spot a local Southern Californian when the temps drop below 70 as we are the ones throwing on a sweater or a jacket. Brrrrr, that sounds cold!
- Flip flops are a wardrobe essential.
flickr/joe strupek Take a look in your closet and count how many pairs of flip flops you have. You can pretty much identify as a true Southern Californian if that number is over three.
- You plan for time and not miles whenever you get in the car.
flickr/prayitno After living in SoCal long enough to call it home, you become quite familiar with the concept of traffic, delays, sigalerts, etc. Instead of planning driving time based on miles, we plan based on how long it will take to get there as the number of miles is always misleading.
- You are a total snob about Mexican food.
flickr/T.Tseng Mexican food in SoCal simply can’t be beat anywhere else in the country. If you’re a true Southern Californian, you most likely have your favorite local spot that is a total hole in the wall where you know you can score a mouthwatering meal each and every time.
How many of these things can you relate to? Are you a true Southern Californian? Let us know in the comments any other characteristics that come to mind when it comes to the SoCal lifestyle.
flickr/paul hamilton
If anyone dares utter the word “Cali” you can pretty much guarantee that person is not a true Southern Californian. We may say SoCal, but if you ever say “Cali” you will quickly be identified as a tourist.
flickr/dave hogan
flickr/photoskate
You’ve ordered here so many times that you know the menu by heart. Actually, you even know about a few things that are off the menu – like a burger or fries served Animal Style.
flickr/michael seljos
Whereas the rest of the country gets to dine outside for only a few months out of the year, we Southern Californians are used to dining outside all year long. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a lunch at a sidewalk cafe or dinner at night under the stars, a true Southern Californian can’t imagine not being able to dine outside.
flickr/nancy I’m gonna snap
It’s not always sunshine and blue skies in SoCal. On occasion, when we get a serious downpour, many Southern Californians choose to stay off the roads altogether and avoid driving because of bad road conditions. We’re just not used to slick roads, so oftentimes we just opt to stay home.
flickr/joe wolf
Let’s be honest, when you live in SoCal you rely on your car more than the average person. We are a freeway area, which makes having a car a total essential. And chances are you’ve never even used public transport because Southern California isn’t exactly known for having a decent public transportation system.
flickr/suzie’s farmers market
If you are officially a Southern Californian, chances are you shop at the local farmers market for most, if not all, of your produce needs. And, in true SoCal style, you also show up with all of your own grocery bags.
flickr/silvia sala
You can always spot a local Southern Californian when the temps drop below 70 as we are the ones throwing on a sweater or a jacket. Brrrrr, that sounds cold!
flickr/joe strupek
Take a look in your closet and count how many pairs of flip flops you have. You can pretty much identify as a true Southern Californian if that number is over three.
flickr/prayitno
After living in SoCal long enough to call it home, you become quite familiar with the concept of traffic, delays, sigalerts, etc. Instead of planning driving time based on miles, we plan based on how long it will take to get there as the number of miles is always misleading.
flickr/T.Tseng
Mexican food in SoCal simply can’t be beat anywhere else in the country. If you’re a true Southern Californian, you most likely have your favorite local spot that is a total hole in the wall where you know you can score a mouthwatering meal each and every time.
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