Being one of the oldest cities in the United States, there's a lot you can learn about history from Charleston, South Carolina. But there's also plenty it can teach you about living life in a southern state of mind. From the food to the people to the places, there's so much that makes this city great, but what truly makes it outstanding is they way it teaches you a couple truth's of life, like the ones below.
1. No such thing as being "too polite" or "too friendly."
Charlestonians put the hospitality in “Southern Hospitality.” Whether you’re asking directions, ordering in a restaurant or just walking down the street; the people of this city are known to greet you with a smile and a cheery “how ya doing?”
2. Being broke is worth it if you spend your money on food.
It’s nearly impossible to resist the fine cuisine of this town. Shrimp and grits and She Crab soup are straight up delicacies, but they certainly don’t come cheap.
3. People will judge you if you order unsweetened tea.
They way a waitress or waiter looks at you after turning down Sweet Tea, you would think you just told them they had a Palmetto Bug on their head.
4. Going on walks is top notch entertainment.
No matter what time of day it is or which way you go, the Peninsula is always a place for adventure. Around every corner there’s a new country gem to be discovered.
5. When it rains, it pours.
Literally. It pours here. If you get caught without a jacket, boots and an umbrella amidst a downpour, you might as well just go jump in the Battery because you’re gonna get soaked.
6. History is cool, enough said.
Walking through this colonial city is like walking through the pages of a history book. Seriously, every other building you pass was built over 200 years ago and the cobblestones underfoot are older than the U.S. Constitution.
7. There's no better way to relax than by laying in the sun with your friends at the park.
If you need fresh air, Marion Square is the place to be. If you want to toss a Frisbee or just people watch, check out one of Charleston’s many parks, like Waterfront Park or Whitehall Gardens.
8. Gaining the "freshmen 15" is expected when you’re surrounded by the best food in the South.
Remember that She Crab soup and Shrimp and Grits I mentioned earlier? Not only can it lighten your wallet, but they can certainly add a couple inches to your waistline as well. But hey, it’s cool, because this food is more than worth it.
9. Street Performers are more talented than you, just accept it.
Nothing like a 10-year-old expertly playing the violin on the sidewalk, and making decent money with it, to make you feel incompetent.
10. Going to the beach is no longer just a treat for spring break.
As a native Midwesterner, being so close to the coast is a hard concept to grasp. Unlike in the Holy City were beach days occur weekly and the ocean is only a short 15 minutes away.
11. There’s no place like Charleston.
Chucktown is greater than anywhere else.
