Mississippi is a wonderful place to live. But the one thing nobody tells you is that living here leads to certain habits that’ll most likely stick with you for the rest of your life. And it’s not just lifelong residents who are affected. Transplants and natives who’ve moved away are just as likely to experience lasting side effects from residing in Mississippi. Not so sure? Here are 10 habits that most of us can’t unlearn. Read on to see how many apply to you.

  1. It’ll always be “coke.”

Mike Mozart/Flickr Pop? Really? That just sounds silly.

  1. If there’s snow in the forecast, you head to the store to stock up on staples, like milk and bread.

Paul Townsend/Flickr Sure, it’s highly unlikely that it’ll actually snow but for some reason, the very mention of it causes us all to shop as if a category 5 is coming our way.

  1. Describing your hometown based on its proximity to the nearest major city or region.

DM/Flickr Most of us have grown up in tiny, rural towns, so when asked about home, it’s practically second nature to say things like, “it’s about an hour from the Gulf Coast.”

  1. You’ll always have a knack for backhanded compliments.

denisbin/Flickr Add a “bless your heart” to the most negative remark, and it magically sounds kind and sympathetic.

  1. Giving directions in terms of time, rather than miles.

Patrick Dalton/Flickr Directions in Mississippi rarely include the amount of miles you need to travel. Instead, they usually go something like this, “go about 10 minutes up the road and turn left.”

  1. Being (what some may describe as unreasonably) picky about mayonnaise.

Bob Usher/Flickr This shouldn’t be too surprising since you’ve probably been using the same brand of mayo since you were knee high to a grasshopper.

  1. Saving empty Country Crock and Cool Whip containers to store leftovers.

Matt/Flickr Even if you have more containers than you can count, it just feels wrong to throw one away.

  1. Craving a Moon Pie every time you drink an RC Cola.

Sam Howzit/Flickr The classic combo just can’t be beat. And if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

  1. Waving to, smiling at, or chatting with just about every person you come in contact with.

Tom Szymanski/Flickr Being super friendly is just one of the many incredible side effects of growing up in Mississippi.

  1. You’ll always think of football when you hear “hotty toddy.”

Luke Pickard/Flickr Football fan or not, it’s practically common knowledge that the phrase is part of Ole Miss’ game day chant. As far as its origin or exact meaning, that’s still up for debate.

So, do you agree with everything listed above? What habits did we forget to include? Tell us in the comments section!

Mike Mozart/Flickr

Pop? Really? That just sounds silly.

Paul Townsend/Flickr

Sure, it’s highly unlikely that it’ll actually snow but for some reason, the very mention of it causes us all to shop as if a category 5 is coming our way.

DM/Flickr

Most of us have grown up in tiny, rural towns, so when asked about home, it’s practically second nature to say things like, “it’s about an hour from the Gulf Coast.”

denisbin/Flickr

Add a “bless your heart” to the most negative remark, and it magically sounds kind and sympathetic.

Patrick Dalton/Flickr

Directions in Mississippi rarely include the amount of miles you need to travel. Instead, they usually go something like this, “go about 10 minutes up the road and turn left.”

Bob Usher/Flickr

This shouldn’t be too surprising since you’ve probably been using the same brand of mayo since you were knee high to a grasshopper.

Matt/Flickr

Even if you have more containers than you can count, it just feels wrong to throw one away.

Sam Howzit/Flickr

The classic combo just can’t be beat. And if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

Tom Szymanski/Flickr

Being super friendly is just one of the many incredible side effects of growing up in Mississippi.

Luke Pickard/Flickr

Football fan or not, it’s practically common knowledge that the phrase is part of Ole Miss’ game day chant. As far as its origin or exact meaning, that’s still up for debate.

If you enjoyed this, check out “11 Things That Will Always Make Mississippians Think Of Home.“

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