When people ask where I come from, I always say Minnesota. I was born and raised in Minnesota, my mother was born and raised in Minnesota, and Minnesota is the place where I call home. Despite the fact that Minnesota is my primary home to date, I have always considered New Orleans to be a second home of mine. Since my dad and aunts grew up there and their parents grew up there along with their parents, my dad’s side of the family is deeply rooted in the culture/community that is the city of New Orleans. I’ve been to New Orleans for holidays, birthdays, vacations, weddings, college visits and even professional/collegiate sporting events, which I consider makes me somewhat of an expert on the city of New Orleans and its people. To further my point, I have also seen Jazz Fest, Mardi Gra, and a majority if not all of the districts that make up New Orleans, and I have interacted with hundreds of people who live/lived in the city for years. I can say from honest experience that people from NOLA are different, and I mean different, from people who live elsewhere. While both the people in Minnesota and Louisiana have similar wants/needs, both places just choose to meet these needs in completely different ways. Given that thought, here are 10 things that you might have to deal with if you family/loved ones are from the city commonly known as The Big Easy.

You’re not in Kansas (Or wherever the heck you are from) anymore.

Something that I commonly tell people about New Orleans, whether they have visited several times or have never been, is that it is an incredibly unique city. With its historical, musical, religious, and cultural background, there is hardly a place in the world that I have heard about or seen that even closely resembles the city of New Orleans. The fact that the city is barely built about sea level and the surrounding area involves a lot of swamp and marsh lands, it doesn’t take a genius to see that New Orleans is built much more differently than most cities in the United States. Since behavioral psychology tends to dictate that everyone is a product of their environment, I understand that since I come from Minnesota, my family from New Orleans is going to act/believe different than I do. The people who make up my New Orleans family are outgoing, bold, honest people who are more interested in crawfish boils and LSU (Louisiana State University) Baseball then they are in hockey or swimming in lakes, but they still care enough that they are willing to pay attention and try to, at least, get to know the things that you care about. While it is funny to watch my grandmother pack at least five coats every time she comes to Minnesota, I understand that their reaction is going to be different than mine when it comes to cold weather.

Ready To Eat Big!

If there is anything I should forewarn you about if you are choosing to visit New Orleans, you are going to have to be open minded about what you put in your mouth. New Orleans cuisine consists of many Latin, French and Spanish influences, and also contain stereotypical southern foods such as mash potatoes, grits, and collard greens. A lot of the food that I eat in New Orleans is doused in butter, margarine, and oils that are high in fat content and calories; all put in there with the purpose of sticking to traditional recipes. While New Orleans food is amazingly tasteful, it definitely doesn’t do you any favors if you are looking to lose weight and work out without feeling much stomach pain. I admit that when I eat with my New Orleans family, I normally put on a couple of pounds during the various meals I eat with them. New Orleans people like to eat big with frequency, which means that you have to be very disciplined with how much you put in your stomach at one. New Orleans food won’t be a problem for you if you already have good eating habits, but it is defiantly encouraged to take a walk on the wild side when you are attending New Orleans restaurants.

Southern Hospitality

If I had to pick one woman who epitomized southern hospitality, it would be my grandmother. My grandmother is very kind, caring women who cares greatly about her family and friends, and is very open about inviting people over and sharing her life with them. When I go down to New Orleans to visit my grandparents during Christmas, her house always tends to be packed with people from around the community, along with extensive family members and friends who are in town and want a place to go/eat. I cannot tell you the number of times I have complete strangers have come up to me and say, “I remember when you were (insert toddler height) this tall” and talk about me from years past, which were all based on past visits that I could not remember and stories my grandmother would tell about me. While this, of course, comes off to me as strange, I have to remind myself that people in New Orleans are much more willing to interact with strangers. My grandmother has lived in New Orleans her entire life and has history with the community of New Orleans that has dated long before I was born, and even dates back way before my father. While my family tends to be more open about inviting people in than other people from the area, New Orleans people definitely have a way of making strangers feel welcomed while they are visiting the city.

Strong Religious/Cultural Beliefs

If there is one major city in the United States that can be associated with deep Christian connections, it would be the city of New Orleans. In New Orleans, there are churches, schools, monuments, communities that are deeply rooted in Christian philosophy/practice, and people are very strong about their beliefs. My family, in particular, is heavily rooted in the Catholic tradition of New Orleans, as going to church and interacting with other Christians is an essential cornerstone in the foundation of their lives in New Orleans. With the public school system being largely uneducated in New Orleans(as described by my grandparents), my dad, my aunts, and my cousins today have all gone to schools that identify themselves as a Catholic institution. It should be no surprise to you readers that my grandparents were absolutely thrilled when I chose to go to a private, non-order affiliate catholic school in the Twin Cities, as their experience with Catholic education has been extremely positive with them in New Orleans. While Louisiana does have its fair share of religious intolerance/ bigotry as any other place, my grandparents, in particular, are very mindful about opposing opinions and doubts that surround Christian communities everywhere. They do however have strong opinions on what they believe in and are very persistent at expressing their opinions regardless of the effect it might have on others. I see this a lot in particular more with my New Orleans family than my family elsewhere, as religion has had a strong role in their lives. While New Orleans isn’t the most tolerable place in the world, it a place that sticks true to its roots/beliefs, and its people, in general, tend to have solid loyalty to the foundations that the city has been built around. I have also met several people city who are very against racism and religious intolerance, who believe that some groups within the city are not tolerable. While all intolerance/racism is a big issue in New Orleans, the city itself is trying to work on the issues and is putting in an effort to make sure people of all backgrounds feel welcome.

There Is No Such Thing As Being Unsocial

I hate to say this, but New Orleans is a very tough environment to be in if you consider yourself an introvert. New Orleans is a very social city with very social people, and it’s rare to find quiet coffee shops/bookstores where people cuddle up and avoid eye contact with other people for the sake of being left alone, as people just tend to be so open as to engage in conversations with people they hardly know. This is especially true of my family in general, as they are some of the most extroverted people I know. I always meet someone new/learn something new every time Igo to New Orleans, and it normally happens because my family is willing to engage with random people in the street. Part of the reason I tend to be a very social person has to do with the fact with my New Orleans family, as they have always encourage me to break out of my shell when it comes to socializing. If you enjoy socializing, New Orleans is a great place for you to visit as extroverts have endless opportunities. If you struggle socializing, New Orleans is a great place for you to practice your skills, as the people are nice enough to give you a fair interaction/conversation.

Be Ready To Have Fun!

If what I have said so far has discouraged you from visiting from New Orleans, here is one last thing that you should know about New Orleans people. That last thing is, is that they know how to party. My grandparents, despite their personal limits due to age, are super fun people to be around. Whether it’s listening to jazz music in restaurants, piling people into a suburban to get coffee/beignets at midnight, and walking down Bourbon Street with its colorful array of people/places, it is impossible for anyone to go into the city of New Orleans having never been there and not see something that will catch their eye. New Orleans is anything but dull, and is a good place to visit if you are looking for a fun stay in the state of Louisiana. I have been to Jazz feast in New Orleans and I can say that it is experience that in my opinion much rivals that experience of the Minnesota State Fair. I have never once had a dull trip to New Orleans despite all the times I visit there, and my family itself does a good job at making I am never bored when I am there.

In conclusion, I have to say that New Orleans Family is wacky, they are loud, social, high-spirited, vocal, honest, loyal, and well-intentioned people. They are product of the environment that is New Orleans and I love them to death for it. If you have visited New Orleans or have family form New Orleans, I encourage you to keep on visiting them and see more of what the city has to offer. It is a great city, and if you take the time to get to know them, New Orleans is also a city filled with great people. I would appreciate feedback on your experience with New Orleans families, and I hope that your experience with your New Orleans family is as great as mine.

BTW- Jazz Fest in New Orleans is much better than the Minnesota State Fair. And no, I will not apologize for that Minnesota.