If you’re like me, and you have spent most of your young life in the Sunshine state, then you will definitely recognize these signs. If you have ever wondered what it is like to grow up in Florida, then these signs are just a taste of what’s it’s like to be a Floridian.
1. You own mostly sandals and flip flops, and you wear them anytime and everywhere
Because let's be real, it's too hot to wear anything else most of the time, and plus, sandals are adorable.
2. You only know four seasons:
summer (fall), slightly cooler summer (winter), summer (spring), and unbearable, don’t-go-outside-you-will-die summer (official-calendar-marked summer)
3. Publix is your holy grail
No one fully understands the magic that is Publix. From the delicious chicken tenders, to the beyond amazing Publix subs, to the free cookies, and great customer service, you are literally at Publix whenever the opportunity presents itself. Ask any Floridian, and they probably have their own Publix; a branch near their home that they know like the back of their hand.
4. You are either a Gators Fan, a Seminoles Fan, or neither: There is no in-between
The rivalry between the University of Florida (Gators) and Florida State University (Seminoles) is too real. Every Floridian is either a hardcore Gators or Seminoles fan, and every other university team in Florida is basically irrelevant (sorry USF, UCF, UM, and FGCU). I bleed black and gold #godeacs, but if I'm choosing a side, I'm definitely #teamgators
5. You are used to the five-minute torrential rainstorms that wreck your plans
During the summer especially, you know that you need to get all your plans out the way before afternoon, because the rain will wreck your plans. You will plan to do something, it will rain heavily for five minutes, and stop, but by then, it's too soaked to do anything...forget playing tennis with your friends at 4:00 p.m....
6. 70 degrees and below is freezing to you
Time to pull out the winter jacket and UGG boots! Lord help you if you decide to go away to school in a place where it's actually cold...
7. Any type of vacation/break from school, you are at the beach
Senior skip day, professional duty day, spring break, winter break, thanksgiving break, etc, you find yourself at the beach, most likely with your crew
8. Humidity is your worst enemy
You know the struggle of straightening your hair, curling your hair, or even just letting your hair air dry from the shower, only for it to look like this once you step outside. It's like, why do we even try anymore? Humidity ALWAYS wins...
9. Going to Disney World, Universal or Busch Gardens is regular weekend getaway
Your family either currently has or once had seasonal passes to Disney, Universal or Busch Gardens. For Floridians, there is no such thing as going to Disney World too much...
10. Waiting for your car to cool down before touching anything
Parking your car in the sun is a mistake you never want to make, because you know once you return to your car, you can not touch anything or else your hands will literally feel like they are on fire. You have to wait and let your car cool down for at least five minutes before attempting to touch anything again, let alone go anywhere.
11. Telling people you’re from a big city near your town just because the town where you actually live is unheard of
Florida has so many small cities that are unknown, even to your fellow Floridan, that unless you live in a well-known city, you just tell everyone you're from Tampa, when really you live in an unknown town five miles from Tampa. Technically, you're not lying, you're just saving yourself from all the looks of confusion, the blank stares, and the countless times you will have to explain to people where your real town is within the state.
12. Hurricane days, not snow days
While those up north get days off from school for snow, we get days off for hurricanes. We always appreciate those days (unless our homes are brutally destroyed), but on the flip side, it was always annoying having to make up those missed days at the end of the year.
13. South Floridians specifically will understand the struggle of driving 8 hours and still being in the state of Florida
This is the worst part of driving anywhere outside of the state of Florida...while it may take North Floridians eight hours to get to their final destination, it takes South Floridians at least eight hours just to exit the state of Florida. Twelve-hour car rides to Wake anyone?
14. You never leave your house without sunscreen and mosquito spray during the summer
Summers in Florida are brutal, between the heat and the humidity, but add on pesky mosquitoes, and horrible sunburn and you are in for a real treat.
All in all, Florida is a great state, and there is no where else we would have chosen to grow up!
