13 Things You Have To Do Before You’re An Official Louisianian

How do you know if you are truly a Louisianian? If you've been here all your life and so has your family, it's probably simple enough---but what if you moved here a little while ago? Here are some things to watch out for to see if you have that Louisiana life seeping into your blood:

1. Start a pot of rice before you even start your coffee.

That’s how you make sure everyone you love is well fed.

2) Walk down the street with your beer.

It’s the Louisiana way.

3) Wear socks with slippers to keep the no-see-ums away.

Have any of you ever seen those creepy bugs?

4) Put red gravy on pasta.

Yes, that’s like spaghetti sauce.

5) Even when something bad is happening—we still celebrate!

Ever heard of a Jazz Funeral or a Hurricane Party? Down in Louisiana, you embrace the good with the bad!

6) Attend a festival for something crazy—including the “marriage of Shrimp and Petroleum”, Yams, Cracklins, Frogs, Swine, Meat Pies, Mirliton, and Wooden Boats.

There’s probably 10 more I could have added to this list.

7) Get completely covered in mud—hopefully, for fun.

Try the Louisiana mud festival.

8) Go hunting for something.

Bonus points if it was nutria. Just the existence of nutrias is strange enough…

9) Drive up to the Daiquiri shop.

Everyone's gotta do it at some point.

10) Tell people you’re makin groceries, have boo-coo problems, and you want them to come see.

Maybe you guys are the ones who talk weird!

11) Eat up alligator like it’s chicken.

I swear, it tastes just like it—but better.

12) Suck the head.

Just do it.

13) Put pennies in plastic bags to ward off the flies.

People swear by it.

How many of these have you done? Which stand out to you the most? Anything we missed? We love to hear your feedback!