Culture is a weird thing. It varies from country to country, state to state, and place to place. Yet, it’s pretty easy to lump a certain group of people all into one culture and see the similarities. Take North Carolinians, for example – from using strange words to describe things to giving directions using landmarks (who can trust GPS, anyway?) and even throwing down over some BBQ and/or basketball…these are more than ‘habits’. They’re part of what it means to be North Carolinian. Here are some of our top picks for strange things people from North Carolina do:

1. Defending our favorite style of BBQ to the death... but secretly trying the other styles (Eastern or Lexington)... and maybe secretly liking them.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Sure, we've met some people who just absolutely hate the vinegar style or vice versa, but with so much amazing BBQ in the state, there's no reason to put oneself in a box and not venture out a bit. We've tried (and featured) amazing BBQ throughout the state!
2. Shutting down the entire world for some snow.
DanielOtto/Flickr
In the Piedmont and eastern regions of the state, snow days are rare...and also sacred. They don't often come about, so when they do, we go all out with absolutely no shame. Sure, we might be terrible at driving and clear the grocery stores out in an apocalyptic panic first, but the prep is just part of the fun. Also...snow parties.
3. Going to the beach. Before a hurricane.
Zach Frailey/Flickr
Okay, maybe this strange habit mostly applies to surfers among us, but any seasoned North Carolinian knows that's the time to get the best waves ever, even if the ocean is a bit crazy.
4. Agreeing to disagree...well, sort of.
kris krug/Flickr
North Carolina has always been and will probably always be a swing state. The political climate and political divide have made for some interesting developments, though, including some that received national attention!
5. Crying (or swearing!) over basketball.
Jerome Carpenter/Flickr
If you haven't cried over a Duke v. UNC game, can you really call yourself a North Carolinian? Even if you support the Wolfpack, Pirates, or Mountaineers - you've had your fair share of sports stresses and victories too! This is a great state to live in for a sports fan.

Related Stories

These 10 Celebrities Hail From Some Of North Carolina's Most Charming Small Towns

These 10 Celebrities Hail From Some Of North Carolina's Most Charming Small Towns

 If North Carolina Had An Official News Anchor/Reporter, We Would Nominate Renee Chou

If North Carolina Had An Official News Anchor/Reporter, We Would Nominate Renee Chou

 Learn The Rhythm and Steps of North Carolina's Official Popular Dance, The Shag, With The Local Clubs

Learn The Rhythm and Steps of North Carolina's Official Popular Dance, The Shag, With The Local Clubs
6. Taking our out-of-state visitors to a questionable-looking restaurant just to see their faces when we get there and they try the food.
Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr
From gas station fried chicken to BBQ from a window somewhere, the best southern cooking comes from tried-and-true establishments. If you have to, say, bring cash with you, even better.
7. Spending as much time as we can outside.
Carol Von Cannon/Flickr
From hiking mountains to lazing on the beach to sitting on the front porch - with so much beauty surrounding us, who on earth would want to stay indoors?
8. Preferring our own words to the actual ones.
Grant Hutchinson/Flickr
Yonder, buggy, clicker, 'mashin' the TV...why use the real-world words when we've invented perfectly acceptable and understandable alternatives? North Carolinian dialect also varies depending on which section of the state you're from. Even as writers with B.A.s in English, we have used 'yonder' and 'ain't' in the same sentence with no shame.
9. 'Supper.'
Jeremy Lim/Flickr
Just like "yonder", "supper" is also pretty elusive. Mainly a Sunday meal served after church with friends and family, supper isn't quite dinner, but it's also never lunch. Sometimes 'supper' even pops up on a Tuesday when your mom tells you to come down and 'eat your supper.' Supper is a tradition, a meal, a word, a gathering, and fully part of North Carolinian culture.
10. Having a general distrust of GPS.
Kelli/Flickr
Maybe this applies more to we 'country folk' who had to navigate long and winding roads before the days of GPS, but growing up with our Grandparents or family members giving us at least ten minutes worth of directions for a two-mile journey (usually with interruptions of shorter, alternative routes from another family member) has ingrained in us that we really can only trust that the blue church will be on the left, the big oak tree on the right, Bojangles in a mile, and a turn a little down yonder after the light after Bojangles. It works for us.

What else do you think ‘makes’ a North Carolinian? What are, in your opinion, some strange things people from North Carolina do? This is a pretty generalized list; we’d love to know more regional cultures and habits you’ll long defend!

New to the state and these cultures – here are 12 things you quickly learn when moving here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Strange Things People From North Carolina Do

Tori Jane | March 05, 2021

What are some relatable things about North Carolina?

Well, that depends: did you grow up here, or are you a transplant? For example, only a transplant would say that Ohio was first in flight without understanding that we then have to fight them. Only a local would know why they have to fight them. If you're a transplant, and it's your first summer, you might relate to the idea of mosquitoes the size of the entire state, though we're fairly certain that everyone hates those, transplant or native. Here are some way-too-relatable memes about North Carolina life.

What are some weird things about North Carolina?

North Carolina is not a state without its complete weirdness. We're filled to the brim with strange attractions, natural oddities, lore that would terrify even the most seasoned of campers, and so much more. We're home to a Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum, and for good reason, because we seem to be a hotspot of strange activity. For example, Helen's Bridge in Asheville is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a young mother, and the Devil's Tramping Ground might have been just that at one time. North Carolina is definitely weird, whether you're looking for weird or not.

What is living in North Carolina like?

Well, we might be biased, but we think it's lovely! That "weird" that we mentioned is all a part of our charm, we think, and there are so many trails throughout the state that we could probably never hike all of them in a lifetime. Hunting, fishing, and camping here are second to none, and our array of state parks are so beautiful that they'll keep you coming back for years to come. North Carolina is a vibrant state with plenty to do - you'll probably never be bored here.

Related Articles

Explore North Carolina

Featured Addresses
North Carolina, USA