12 Strange Habits Every New Orleans Local Understands

In New Orleans, there’s no doubt - we like to do things our way. Strange habits in New Orleans aren't really strange at all, to us! For better or worse, we tend to stick to our traditions. And, in some ways, sticking to tradition is one of the strangest habits in New Orleans. Some of these things may not make sense to outsiders, and that's ok. It makes sense to us. Here are some other traditions in New Orleans that visitors might find unusual. Read on to revel in the strangeness of New Orleans traditions. It's these types of things that make us who we are!

New Orleans Traditions Locals Will Always Defend

1. Allow the Beads To Stay in the Trees

You'll see this sight along the parade routes in New Orleans. While most will fall off throughout the year, some stalwart beads remain woven into our trees as a reminder. Some might call it trash, but we prefer to think of it as art.

Speaking of Mardi Gras, I'm adding a 1A to the list: the king cake knife. We all have a designated king cake knife, and it stays in the box until the king cake is finished.

2. Piling up the Bloody Marys With a Full Breakfast

At most places, a Bloody Mary isn’t complete until it contains enough solid foods to make a legitimate breakfast.

3. At the Drop of a Hat, Dance the Night Away

Any long-term New Orleanian will tell you, when the music hits, you'd better follow along to the beat. It's a toe-tapping good time over here in the Crescent City, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

4. We Say Hi to Each Other as We Pass in the Street

This one isn’t just one of those weird things New Orleans locals do; this one carries a broad brush stroke, and you’ll see that Southern charm all across the South. We’re a friendly bunch, and we will smile, wave, and even hold the door open for you. Down here, it’s common courtesy.

5. Yeah, That Beyonce Thing About Hot Sauce in the Bag…

It’s true. When you have a hot sauce that you love, no meal can even come close. Plus, you never know when you'll need to spice up a dish or a drink. We stay ready.

6. Spend Two Full Days Cooking

If you really want your Cajun and Creole dishes to turn out right, you’ve got to put the time in. Soak those beans on Sunday so you can eat them with rice on Monday. Add-ins from yesterday's crawfish boil become today's potato salad.

7. Talking about dinner while eating lunch

There’s nothing like a plate of delicious food to make you start thinking about…all the other great food you’re going to eat soon.

8. Never Using Turn Signals

Truth be told, this is one of those iconic New Orleans experiences I could do without. Driving in New Orleans has become the Wild West, and I think half the licensed drivers need to go back to driver’s ed and brush up on the basics. 

9. Eat Red Beans and Rice on Mondays

Since Sunday was wash day, it was the easiest thing to do. I caught myself eating red beans and rice on a Thursday last week and felt a bit guilty, to be honest!

10. We Tend To Dress up the Houses We Live In

New Orleans is a colorful city in every way imaginable. We like to make the homes we live in an expression of our lives. Spend some time strolling through the Bywater, the Irish Channel, the Marigny, or even the Garden District, and you’ll see houses with more personality than most people.

11. Setting Meet-up Times About 1.5-2 Hours Before You Actually Plan To Meet

And oh yeah, sitting and talking for at least 30 minutes before you get down to business. We gotta know how ya mama and dem is! (One of my favorite Louisiana phrases.)

12. Parading…for Just About Any Reason

We don't need a reason to pass a good time. And if you’re with your crew in matching costumes, all the better.

While only people from New Orleans might understand this list fully, we all know what it means to miss New Orleans. It’s these little quirks that make New Orleans culture what it is, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Stay quirky.