Have you ever caught yourself doing something you think is perfectly normal, then you realize if anyone else saw you (who didn't understand) they'd think you were completely insane? This is just a fact of life, but the fun fact is it also applies to culture and cultural norms. What is cool in other places could be deemed weird here, and vice versa. North Carolinians are a pretty unique and awesome group of people, and if you're an outsider looking in you might find these 10 North Carolinian things somewhat strange.
1. Using landmarks to give directions.
Navigation is hard and sometimes you can't trust your GPS, but you can always trust that Bojangles will be on the left and then you'll turn right at the stop sign.
2. Freaking out over a little snow.
Snow in the south is a rare event (depending on what part of the state you're in) and sometimes we only get to experience the magic and mayhem once a year. Over-prepping and fighting our way through the milk and bread aisles are deep down fun, and they just add to the anticipation of a snow day.
3. Arguing over BBQ.
From basketball to BBQ, we're a divided state. The east vs Lexington debate is a real thing and everyone must take a side.
4. And crying over basketball.
I feel like North Carolina basketball invented the term 'March Madness.'
5. Spending an entire day/evening on the front porch.
North Carolinians have perfected the art of relaxation. We don't mind watching the world go by with a cold sweet tea in hand (by day) and perhaps a cold beer by night.
6. Choosing a restaurant that looks slightly run down/abandoned as opposed to something shiny and new.
When it comes to food, and especially BBQ, usually the best can be found in weathered and worn establishments that have been around since our parents' days (and even longer). We'd take substance over shine any day.
7. Switching from heat to AC in one day.
We can't help that sometimes we're treated to all four seasons in one week. It keeps things interesting, but even this past week has been a perfect example of how crazy our weather is here. I went to bed with my AC on and was turning on the heat by morning.
8. Driving above 20 mph on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Don't think I really need to elaborate...
9. Prefer swimming holes over swimming pools.
If you've never spent a summer day swimming in a questionable body of water - can you really call yourself a North Carolinian? From waterfall swimming holes to those around the coast, we never run out of places to take a cool dip on a hot day.
10. Making up our own words to describe things that already have names.
A shopping cart will always be a buggy to me, and I say yonder, ain't, and y'all far too often with no shame.
Once I wrote out this list and took it all in, I couldn't help but laugh. We might have some quirks to our culture, but I wouldn't have it any other way. What else would you add to the list?
For more North Carolinian cultural knacks, here are 14 things we all do at least once in our life.
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