New Orleans is a place like no other and no one knows that like someone who was born here. Though each neighborhood in New Orleans is unique, there are a few things that most of us can agree on. If you've ever wanted to annoy a New Orleanian -- well -- here's a list of nine ways to go about doing it.
1. Mispronouncing New Orleans
It's pronounced New - Or- Lunz, not New - Or - Leens. Also, none of us actually say "N'awlins."
2. Trying to make "Po-Boy" sound proper or calling it a "sub"
It's not a "poor" boy or a sub or a submarine sandwich. It's a Po-Boy. P-O-, Po. Also, they're not supposed to be fancy. It's called a Po-Boy for a reason. It has no business being in a high-priced restaurant, nor should it cost over $5.
3. When you correct our grammar
from memegenerator.net
Natives speak y'at. We know what we're saying and if you were from here, then you'd know what we're saying, too. So don't go looking for a Schwegmann's bag full of beads on Mardi Gras and not expect to get ax about yo mo-nem or who ya kin to when ya on the netura ground and start trying that Hooked-On-Phonics talk.
4. When you walk down the street and "don't speak"
Natives "speak" when they pass each other by on the street, the store, pretty much any time you pass someone, you typically have to acknowledge their presence. You either say "hello" or "good evening" -- even a simple nod will do. Except when the Saints score -- we're yelling "Who Dat" and hugging you.
5. Calling the neutral ground a "median"
from streets.mn
A median? What is that? That pavement with the grass on top that splits the street in the middle, yeah, that's the neutral ground. Sometimes there's a streetcar, not a trolley, that passes on it.
6. When you say you've seen New Orleans, but you've only gone to Bourbon Street.
Rue Bourbon is not the entire French Quarter, and the French Quarter is not the entire city. Central Business District, Garden District, Irish Channel, Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, Lower-Ninth Ward, Mid-City, Uptown, Downtown, etc. The list of amazing places in the Crescent City goes on and on. There's no city like New Orleans and there's no section of the city that's like the other. They all have unique and amazing food, cultures, places, art, music, styles and, most importantly, people. Give them all a shot. Bourbon is one street and it does not represent the entire city.
7. When you say that any restaurant has the best gumbo
Most natives have a grandma, mother or aunt who can beg to differ. Those are fighting words.
8. When tourist stop in our yards to stare and take pictures
That's someone's house. It functions as a living space and private property. Stop blocking the driveway, get out of their yard. If this were anywhere else, you'd know what you're doing is creepy. No one wants to see their home with their address pop up on Instagram.
9. When you think that all we do is party.
We work, we have jobs, we go to school, we have families and responsibilities. It's not that all we do is party, we just party better.