Being an out of state student at the University of Kentucky, I've noticed a lot of culture shocks since moving to the area. Kentucky is a special place with a lot of unique experiences. Here are a few things I never knew existed until I came to school in Kentucky.
1. Qdoba and Chipotle are taken very seriously. Mexican fast food chains are up for some major debate in Kentucky. You're either a Doba person or a Chipotle person and randomly you'll get a Kentuckian that prefers Moe's in there. But either way, everyone has an opinion and they'll take it with them to their grave.
2. The only ice cream people eat is Graeter's. And for good reason. Graeter's makes their own chocolate chunks and they are to die for. I cannot express my newfound love for Graeter's. Scoops on scoops on scoops. Thank you Graeter's and thank you Kentucky.
3. Fast food chili is apparently a thing. Whether it's Skyline or Goldstar, if you're from northern Kentucky (known affectionately as NKY), you probably eat fast food chili from time to time. As gross as it sounds being from out of state, Kentuckians will convince you that it's the most delicious thing ever until you try it. And I must admit, it is pretty good.
4. Drive through liquor stores are more popular than normal ones. It doesn't get any more redneck than that. No explanation needed.
5. Everyone is obsessed with counties. Most likely, if you ask a Kentuckian where they're from, their answer is either "Louisville," "NKY," or some county you've never heard of. I'm sorry, I'm not from here, I've never heard of "Hopkins County" or the high school that goes along with it.
6. Kentuckians either have a strong accent or they don't at all. If they're from west of Louisville or east of Lexington, chances are they have a pretty thick drawl. "Are y'all drinkin' Ale 8?"
7. Louisville is pronounced differently anywhere else but here. It's not Louie-ville.
8. Derby season is basically a second Christmas. You've never seen people get more excited about horses in your life. Churchill Downs and Keeneland qualify as equally important and even more fun college tailgates. Time to break out the Lilly dresses, derby hats, and pastel blazers.
9. You've never seen a rivalry like U of L and UK. If there were ever two animals that hated each other it would be the Cardinals and the Wildcats. The games between U of L and UK are a bigger deal to Kentuckians than the Super Bowl.
10. Basketball is everything in Kentucky. Kentucky doesn't have a state baseball, hockey, or football team so college basketball is all Kentuckians know. Oh, and the Cat's are 32-0 so bring on March Madness!
All in all, Kentucky is a special place with special people. I wouldn't trade my experiences here for anything. The thing they say about Kentucky is that people always come back.
