There are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to living in the Southwest, and the Land of Enchantment tends to get the brunt of it. Maybe everyone is just jealous that our culture, art, landscapes, and even the way we talk, are completely unique to our little corner of the nation. However, there are a few things we can’t deny no matter how hard we try. Some stereotypes are far off, and some are spot on. Here are nine stereotypes about New Mexicans that are completely true, so we should just accept them.

1. We all share the same addiction: chile.

We’re the chile capital of the world. Whether it’s red, green, or Christmas-style, we’re absolutely obsessed. During chile season, our parking lots are full of chile peppers, and it’s unheard of to not order a side of chile with every meal. Let’s be honest, if you’re a New Mexican you probably have an entire fridge dedicated to green chile alone.

2. We're awful drivers.

Let’s just accept it. Most of us don’t even keep our hands on the wheel, and turn signals are completely forgotten. Stop signs and speed limits are more of a suggestion to most New Mexicans, and if there’s a dusting of snow on the ground this is amplified tenfold. It’s about time we put down our phones and drive safely.

3. No New Mexican will deny that aliens exist.

It’s well-known that Roswell is home to more alien themed merchandise than anywhere else in the world, and if you live in Roswell you’re probably obsessed with spotting a UFO. That being said, it isn’t just a Roswell thing. Most New Mexicans have admitted to seeing something strange in the sky, and over 1,000 sightings are reported each year. There is something out there, and no New Mexican will ever tell you different—in fact, we'll even dress as aliens sometimes.

4. Every New Mexican speaks another language: Spanglish.

Since Native American and Spanish languages have influenced New Mexico, it’s not strange to us to incorporate Spanish into our day to day conversations. This does confuse visitors a bit, though.

5. We all have a little Wild West in us.

While our history is much more wild than current day, most New Mexicans know how to ride a horse and many still live off their land with a large collection of livestock. Giddy up!

6. New Mexicans are outside more than they’re inside.

You can’t blame us though, we have so many amazing parks and trails to explore.

7. That being said, we prefer to be alone.

New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the country, and 35 other states have a bigger population than we do. It’s a stereotype that New Mexico is only desert, but there is a lot of it. It’s easy to see that we value solitude and this is evident in our ghost towns, remote hikes, and vast forests.

8. We can’t handle cold weather.

Maybe this isn’t completely true, but New Mexico does get roughly 278 sunny days a year, so it can be hard to cope when the sun isn’t out.

9. We all know someone with a Zia symbol tattoo.

New Mexican pride is something we all take seriously, and with such a cool and meaningful flag, it’s no wonder we plaster it everywhere—including our bodies.

New Mexicans are definitely interesting! Do you agree that these stereotypes are true? What would you add to the list? We'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

If you related to these true stereotypes, we bet you'll get these hilarious jokes that only true New Mexicans understand.