New Orleanians are a pretty laid back bunch — after all our nickname is the “Big Easy.” But even the most laid-back people can get a little irked every now and then. We New Orleanians have a specific way of doing things, and you’ll want to follow these unwritten rules so you don’t make a New Orleanian mad.
- Using cardinal directions.
Rick Payette/Flickr We don’t use north/south/east/west to get around. We prefer uptown/downtown/towards the river/towards the lake.
- Pronounce a long “e” in New Orleans.
Jason Riedy/Flickr Unless you’re talking about the parish, it’s “New OAR-linz” not “New Or-LEENZ”. And never “N’awlins.”
- Thinking we have gators in our backyard.
Dean Shareski/Flickr No. Just no.
- Calling out our accents.
Melanie Levi/Flickr Everyone has an accent, ours is simply the best.
- Say “soda” or “pop”
Micke Jakobsson/Flickr It’s a coke. They’re all coke.
Want a coke?
Sure!
What kind?
Sprite.
- Complain about the heat
Amanda Bennett/Flickr Yes, we know — it’s hot. And humid. And you never really get used to it.
- Bashing our boys.
David Reber/Flickr The Who Dat Nation is strong! We had a good season, and we are already counting down the days until next season.
- Bad drivers.
Stephanie/Flickr This one will get on anyone’s nerves, no matter what city you live in.
- Mispronounce: Chartres, Pontchartrain, or Tchoupitoulas
Gabriel/Flickr Also: Marigny, Callope, Burgundy… The list goes on and on…
- Call this a trolly or a metro.
Ian McKellar/Flickr It’s a streetcar.
- Assuming Bourbon Street is all we are.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr Bourbon Street to a New Orleanian is like Times Square to a New Yorker — we avoid it whenever possible, but when we are entertaining out of town guests, we’ll pop over so they can experience it. Sure, everyone should experience Bourbon Street once in their lives, but New Orleans is so much more than just Bourbon Street. Heck, the French Quarter is so much more than Bourbon Street. Get outside and explore the city, you’ll be amazed with how many amazing restaurants, boutiques, antique stores, and one of a kind shops there are.
Did we leave anything out? Fellow New Orleanians, what gets on your nerves? Let us know in the comments below!
Rick Payette/Flickr
We don’t use north/south/east/west to get around. We prefer uptown/downtown/towards the river/towards the lake.
Jason Riedy/Flickr
Unless you’re talking about the parish, it’s “New OAR-linz” not “New Or-LEENZ”. And never “N’awlins.”
Dean Shareski/Flickr
No. Just no.
Melanie Levi/Flickr
Everyone has an accent, ours is simply the best.
Micke Jakobsson/Flickr
It’s a coke. They’re all coke.
Want a coke?
Sure!
What kind?
Sprite.
Amanda Bennett/Flickr
Yes, we know — it’s hot. And humid. And you never really get used to it.
David Reber/Flickr
The Who Dat Nation is strong! We had a good season, and we are already counting down the days until next season.
Stephanie/Flickr
This one will get on anyone’s nerves, no matter what city you live in.
Gabriel/Flickr
Also: Marigny, Callope, Burgundy… The list goes on and on…
Ian McKellar/Flickr
It’s a streetcar.
Wayne Hsieh/Flickr
Bourbon Street to a New Orleanian is like Times Square to a New Yorker — we avoid it whenever possible, but when we are entertaining out of town guests, we’ll pop over so they can experience it. Sure, everyone should experience Bourbon Street once in their lives, but New Orleans is so much more than just Bourbon Street. Heck, the French Quarter is so much more than Bourbon Street. Get outside and explore the city, you’ll be amazed with how many amazing restaurants, boutiques, antique stores, and one of a kind shops there are.
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