The truth of it is, most Arkansans come with a good filter pre-installed. We don’t just go around running our mouths off at everyone. That’s because our mothers and grandmothers taught us that if we can’t say something nice, we ought not say anything at all. I know you heard it too: don’t embarrass the family in front of company, respect your elders, zip your lip, etc. But we’re among friends here, and it’s high time we make some confessions. Below you’ll find 13 things that Arkansans know to be true, but don’t really like to mention in front of the neighbors.

1. Walmart really is kind of a weird place.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Flickr/Kyle Wegner
Yes, we’ve seen the People of Walmart phenomenon. We hear you. It’s not exactly fancy. Then again, it is convenient and such an interesting cultural experience.
2. We honestly believe our state is prettier than your state.
Flickr/madison55
I’m pretty sure we’re right on that account.
3. Yeah, we do like to go shoeless every once and a while.
Flickr/Josh
4. Some of us really do enjoy chatting with strangers...
Flickr/Dave Thomas
5. ...but sometimes southern politeness is exhausting.
Flickr/Dave Thomas
I’ve got a great story about this. It involves "sir," "ma’am," muddy boots, slippers, and a backhoe operator. It took place at 2 in the morning.
6. Not all Arkansans are overly nice.
Flickr/Scott Schiller
The Natural State also contains introverts, misanthropes, and plain old meanies.

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7. The Razorbacks occasionally disappoint us.
Flickr/texas tongs
8. Chicken houses do have an...interesting...aroma.
Flickr/mahalie stackpole
But as my granddad says, "smells like money."
9. Some of us don’t care about the outdoors all that much.
Flickr/Jonathan Moreau
It’s okay to gasp. I gasped about it once, too.
10. But we do appreciate having access to so many gorgeous state parks.
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
11. It really does makes us mad when people demonize Arkansas as this awful, backward place, so you should probably think twice before badmouthing the Natural State...
Flickr/Paul Cooper
12. ...because Arkansas is actually awesome...
Flickr/Billy Bob Bain
13. ...and that rumor about Arkansans being scrappy is true. You never know when we might decide to change our minds about all that southern hospitality.
Flickr/Shawn Rossi

For bizarre experiences all Arkansans have had, click here. To see why we love the Natural State so much, look at this list.

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