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10 Culture Shock Moments You'll Definitely Have When You Move From The Midwest To The South

No, I don't have an accent.

Taylor Kellogg

Aug 28, 2018

Louisiana State University

581

10 Culture Shock Moments You'll Definitely Have When You Move From The Midwest To The South

Taylor Kellogg

Last year, I left the suburbs of Chicago for the bayou country of Louisiana. Moving 14 hours away gave me some insight on the switch from city to country life. The following are 10 things that might hit a little close to home. If you are new to the Southern culture like me, some, if not all, of these scenarios are bound to happen to you at some point or another.

1. Alien vocabulary

Taylor Kellogg

Once you move to the South, a whole new language starts being spoken by those around you. Shopping carts become "buggies," snow cones become "snowballs," and backpacks become "book sacks." There are some weird words you'll encounter, and people will give you crap about your NORMAL words that you say; which leads me to my next point...

2. People telling you that you have an "accent"

No matter what you say, people will look at you strangely and tell you that "you must not be from here." If I had a dollar for every time one of my Louisiana friends told me to repeat a word so they can make fun of me for it, I'd be able to pay all my LSU parking tickets. Don't even get me started on names of cities or families.

3. Delicious food

Taylor Kellogg

OK, so the freshman 15 was definitely real. Perhaps I could've avoided this if I stayed in Illinois for college, but being around the comfort foods of Louisiana really did me dirty. From jambalaya to beignets, you will taste some of the most delicious food of your life. Even Sonic tastes better in the South...

4. Bad drivers

I thought people in the city of Chicago were psychopaths, but the top spot definitely goes to those with a drivers license in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. Driving in Baton Rouge by itself scares the crap out of me: people go either 20 under or 50 over the speed limit, people stop/park in the middle of the road, and not to mention nobody pulls to the middle of the intersection when turning left on a green light.

5. HUMIDITY

Prepare to die, that's all. And don't ever bother straightening/curling your hair.

6. People LOVE college football

Taylor Kellogg

If you go to an SEC school like I do, you know how seriously people take their football. Nothing beats a Saturday night in Death Valley, and the school spirit is like nothing you've ever seen before. Also, go shopping: girls dress up to the 9's on game day and you don't wanna be caught slacking.

7. First time at Mardi Gras

Taylor Kellogg

This is an experience you'll never forget. My best friend/roommate Claire let me stay with her and her family during Mardi Gras, and they showed the Chicago girls how it's done. This is one of the most fun memories of my life and you have to have the experience for yourself. LSU even gives us a break from school to partake in the festivities!!!

8. Southern Hospitality

EVERYONE HERE IS SO NICE — teachers, servers, old ladies in the supermarket, random passersby on the street. This one is very refreshing, especially coming from the mean streets of Chicago. For example, last week I was with my friend when her tire blew, and two random men came to help us on the side of the road. If that were to happen to me in the city, people would probably just honk at me for blocking the freeway.

8. Time moves slower

Taylor Kellogg

People in the South generally just take their time to do things, so you have to learn to be patient. Except to stand in line at the store for a few more minutes, wait for your meal a little longer than usual, and most of the time waiting includes small talk and making new friends.

10. Infinite amount of Gordon McKernan billboards

You'd think after seeing one of his billboards every quarter mile down I-10, I'd actually know what they were advertising. All I know is Gordon McKernan's name, face, and that I've blocked these signs from my consciousness.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

10 Culture Shock Moments You'll Definitely Have When You Move From The Midwest To The South

No, I don't have an accent.

1. Alien vocabulary

2. People telling you that you have an "accent"

3. Delicious food

4. Bad drivers

5. HUMIDITY

6. People LOVE college football

7. First time at Mardi Gras

8. Southern Hospitality

8. Time moves slower

10. Infinite amount of Gordon McKernan billboards

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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