Post-Katrina, there was a phrase that popped up all over the place. I’m not sure which company made the t-shirts or stickers, but they read, “Be A New Orleanian…Wherever You Are”. Since I was living in Connecticut at the time, terribly homesick for my city that was going through so much, the words really resonated with me. Now, ten years since the storm, there are some things that really make New Orleanians stand out. Here are the ways you can spot someone from New Orleans.

1) Asking for a to-go cup…when there is obviously no to-go cup.
facebook.com/SaveTheGoCup
When you grow up with to-go cups, it's really hard to understand when they aren't available.
2) Wearing one of the following t-shirts: Defend New Orleans, Make Levees Not War, or Anything from Dirty Coast.
Facebook.com / Defend New Orleans
Post-Katrina, one of these shirts was like the uniform around here.
3) Talking about how New Orleans isn’t the same anymore—it’s being ruined by (fill in the blank).
Facebook.com / Mitchell Moore
If there's one thing New Orleans folks love to do, it's talk about how nothing is the same anymore. The "Ain't Dere No More" Facebook group epitomizes this. Yep, people here can get very passionate very quickly. But usually it can be solved over bar stools...usually...
4) Walking down the middle of the street.
Flickr.com / Jess J
New Orleanians have a tradition of taking over the streets when needed--or just during a morning stroll!
5) Jamming out to New Orleans artists.
Flickr.com / Bill Froberg
If you grow up here, the music is simply in your blood. Why listen to anything else?
6) Either complaining about potholes, or being amazingly impressed by smooth roads.
Flickr.com / Dean Shareski

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7) Wearing white linen in the summer…only white linen. (And carrying an umbrella)
Flickr.com / John W. Schulze
Sun protection is serious here.
8) Learning about the finer points of tradition and history wherever they happen to find themselves.
Flickr.com / Mike Mahaffie
People in New Orleans love to talk about how great New Orleans is--and also love to hear about wherever they happen to be!
9) Winning best costume contests.
Flickr.com / Jennifer
In New Orleans, there are so many opportunities to practice your costuming skills, wherever you go, it's a breeze to stand out.
10) Trying to find out which bars are open past closing time.
Flickr.com / Andy
If you're used to not having a closing time, it can be hard to get used to it in other places.
11) Talking about dinner over lunch.
Flickr.com / Wally Gobetz
If there's one topic New Orleanians could talk about for hours--it's eating. Just because you're eating one meal doesn't mean you can't think about your next one!
12) Starting up a conversation with the meter maids—or maybe even dancing with them.
Flickr.com / Paul Nicholson
While metermaids aren't ever anyone's favorite...in New Orleans, we make it a point to be as friendly as we can be to whoever crosses our path.
13) Turning right on red—and completing left turns, even if there is a light.
Flickr.com / Brave Heart
Yea, if you learn to drive in New Orleans, there's a good chance you have some interesting habits.

How do you spot someone from New Orleans? Are there any tell-tale signs that you look for? Let us know your experiences in the comments! We love to hear your feedback.

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