12 Strange Habits Every Mississippian Will Defend To The Death

Surprisingly, some things we do here in Mississippi seem weird to outsiders. I know; it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. However, despite what others think, we Mississippians are proud of the Magnolia state – quirks and all! Need some examples? Here are 12 habits outsiders think are strange, but to us Mississippians, they’re completely normal.

1. Putting a lot of emphasis on manners.

Manners are still a big deal here in Mississippi. Children are taught to say "yes ma’am; no ma’am; yes sir; no sir" and to always use "Mr. or Mrs." when addressing elders. Some may call it old-fashioned; we just call it respectful.

2. Being picky about our mayonnaise.

Used for everything from topping vegetables to creating the perfect ‘mater sandwich, mayo is much more than a condiment in the Magnolia State. Most residents swear by a particular brand, which is usually Blue Plate, Duke's, or Hellmann’s.

3. Saving Cool Whip and Country Crock containers for leftovers.

Spend loads of money on expensive Tupperware? Not us Mississippians! Containers, like those used for Cool Whip and Country Crock, serve the same purpose for a fraction of the cost. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing, which we like to do here in Mississippi.

4. Calling all soft drinks "coke."

Using one term to refer to all soft drinks may seem confusing to outsiders, but it just works here in Mississippi. And like the saying goes, "if it ain’t, broke don’t fix it."

5. Stockpiling newspapers.

They’re practically a must for any crawfish boil.

6. Using mason jars in place of glasses.

Mason jars are probably more common than wine glasses in most Mississippi homes. And since the jars are larger than most cups, they’re perfect for drinking some ice cold sweet tea.

7. Swearing by creative home remedies.

Toothpaste on ant bites. Bleach on wasp stings. These types of quick fixes are just second nature for Mississippians.

8. Deep frying…everything.

Is there anything that doesn’t taste better deep fried?

9. Taking good care of our cast iron skillets.

Cast iron skillets are practically a requirement in Mississippi kitchens. And if you’re going to use one, do so correctly by first seasoning it and, most importantly, NEVER wash it since it’ll cause your trusty skillet to rust.

10. Measuring distance by time rather than miles.

Directions in Mississippi rarely include the amount of miles you need to travel. Instead, they usually go something like this, "go about 10 minutes up the road and turn left."

11. Overreacting about a little snow.

Snow is practically non-existent in South Mississippi; any mention of it and schools are closing and stores are selling out of staple items, like bread and water.

12. Being partial to particular brands.

From RC Cola to Bunny bread to Crystal hot sauce, we Mississippians are pretty specific when it comes to certain items.

What other "strange" habits would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section!

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out "12 Things Mississippians Do That Seem Insane To Everyone Else."