What does it mean to grow up North Carolinian? It can mean a whole wealth of things – you’re knowledge on BBQ and southern cuisine is more refined than your neighbors to the north, you know collards should be served with vinegar, you say yes ma’am and no sir, and of course…the word y’all is about as natural as breathing. There’s the on the surface things that resonate you grew up in the south, but there’s also a whole wealth of certain state cultures that persist with us through most of our life…like these 11.
1. Finding it perfectly acceptable to watch the ACC tournament at school and or work.
Bonus points if you've ever shed a few tears when Duke beats UNC or vice versa, we take our basketball seriously here and it's a way of life
2. Getting in heated debates over BBQ styles.
East V Lexington style is ALWAYS up for debate and everyone has their favorite. If you've never gotten in a slight altercation over the fact you hate vinegar-based, or maybe don't understand tomato-based...you're clearly not from here. One thing we can all agree on...who puts mustard sauce on BBQ?
3. Assuming all tea is sweet
Unsweet tea is basically blasphemy.
4. Assuming any snowstorm over 3 inches will basically be apocalyptic.
It doesn't matter how many snow and or ice storms we've gone through, we know that basically everything shuts down during a snowstorm and it's best to be prepared.
5. Switching the term supper and dinner
Some of us consider 'supper' a late lunch, others call that what we might call dinner. It really varies.
6. Using 'yonder' as an exact location
Every North Carolinian knows where yonder is and exactly how to get there.
7. And making up your own language for inanimate objects.
A shopping cart will always be a "buggy" and you don't turn the TV off you "mash it."
8. Supporting local
Agriculture is such a large industry in NC we've either grown up with farmers in our family or as one ourself. It's almost second nature to choose a farmers market over a grocery store.
9. Enjoying a weekend at a brewery or winery
Speaking of local, North Carolina's craft beer scene is on par with that of NYC and California. We love going local when it comes to libations as well.
10. Understanding and supporting the arts
School of the Arts, Seagrove Potters, filming locations throughout the state, visiting gallery crawls, film festivals, or even enjoying live bluegrass...North Carolina has an artistic backbone that shines through everything we do.
11. Visiting other places but dreaming of home
From a sunrise on the coast to a sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can visit plenty of beautiful places but nothing will ever quite compare to 'home.'
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