When you’re from New Orleans, there are some questions that you hear again and again. Sometimes, it’s annoying, sometimes it’s frustrating, and sometimes you just want to pull your hair out! But here are some of the most common questions you hear when you’re from New Orleans.
1) Is New Orleans safe?
This is one of the questions that can be pretty hard to answer. Safe for who? Safe in what sense? Safe where? Safety is such a subjective thing...and crime can happen anywhere, anytime in this city.
2) Do people speak French there?
Yes, some people speak French in New Orleans. But very few only speak french, and it's not like you're going to hear it being spoken all the time.
3) Where do the locals hang out?
If we want you to know, we'll take you there...
4) Why don’t you have an accent?
This one always makes me laugh. What kind of accent were you expecting me to have, exactly? You can't really pin down one accent in New Orleans. There's a bunch!
5) Are you sure it’s okay to take this drink out on the street?
Yep, 100%.
6) What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole?
This is another doozy of a question that will set off some New Orleans history buffs into a twenty minute lecture about the complexities of the culture here. Really, you should probably ask one of them.
7) Was it weird growing up there?
I think the answer to this question is yes, but since I grew up here, everything around me just feels normal, i.e. the way things should be. It's when I travel to other cities that I start thinking things are a little strange...
8) Can I visit you soon?
If you're living in New Orleans, there's a good chance you're getting this question pretty often--and an even better chance that you're saying yes.
9) How do you pronounce New Orleans?
Any way you want--except New Or-LEENS.
10) Have you been to Mardi Gras?
Yes, yes I have.
11) How is it since Katrina?
...And here's probably the number one question people ask and the number one most annoying question possible. I mean how do I even start answering this? It's like, how are things in your life since the day when nothing has ever been the same since? So many tragic things happened, so many things have changed, and so many things will never be the same. It's not all bad, certainly---but it's definitely not a one or two sentence answer! If you're going to ask this, make sure you're comfortable, because there's a looonngg answer in store for you!
Are these questions that you've heard before? What do you think people ask you the most when you are from New Orleans? We love to hear about your experiences. Thanks so much for your feedback!
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