Posted in Louisiana June 30, 2017 by

13 Weird Side Effects Everyone Experiences From Growing Up In Louisiana

Naturally, where you grow up leaves an imprint on you, and Louisiana is no exception. Louisiana is such a unique state, and growing up here comes with some weird side effects. Whether you never left or maybe you’ve moved away, you’re bound to have experienced a few of these side effects from life in the bayou.

1. You measure distance in minutes.
Jay Parker/Flickr
Instead of telling someone to go down the road 5 miles, you probably say something like "go down the road about 10 minutes".
2. You’re used to keeping one eye on the weather channel during hurricane season.
Kabsik Park/Flickr
Just becomes part of your daily routine...
3. You know your evacuation route and where you’d go.
Cool Revolution/Flickr
...and when you'd have to leave to avoid gridlock.
4. You know how to pronounce Natchitoches...
Anthony Turducken/Flickr
5. ...and Opelousas...
Anthony Turducken/Flickr
6. ...and Lake Pontchartrain...
lilMDP/Flickr
7. ...and Atchafalaya.
Matt Northam/Flickr
8. You don’t think it’s weird if someone asks if you suck the heads.
Linda MacPhee-Cobb/Flickr
That’s where all the flavor is!
9. Asking if there are gators in the water is a normal question.
John Flannery/Flickr
Lakes, rivers, ponds...you never know.
10. You say "y’all."
Richard Nix/Flickr
11. And no matter how old you are, you still say "sir" and "ma’am."
JouWatch/Flickr
It’s a sign of respect, not of age.
12. You’ve picked a side: Tony’s or Zatarain’s
Steven Brown/Flickr
And you put it on EVERYTHING.
13. This will always be a po’boy.
dabruins07/Flickr
Never a hoagie, sub, or grinder.

How many side effects have you experienced? Let us know in the comments below!

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