Have you ever overheard someone chatting while out and about in public, a coffee shop or on the bus, and hear them share a fact that is completely and totally wrong? It’s awkward. And annoying. Almost enough to get you to tap them on the shoulder and correct the cringe-worthy statement…but not quite. Check out these eleven ridiculous things you can do to a Tennesseean – a few words that WILL make them cringe, without a doubt.
- Nope, Elvis wasn’t born here.
Mark Gstohl - Flickr And it is REALLY awkward when we have to set this straight. Elvis was born in Mississippi, although Tennessee was his adopted home.
- When folks misspell “y’all.”
Lacy - Flickr It’s a contraction, so you’ll want to spell it as follows: y’all. No ya’ll, it’s wrong and you’re bound to be called out on it. (This was something I definitely had to learn - thanks friends!)
- You realize there’s more to Tennessee than Nashville, right?
Brent Moore - Flickr Nashville just surpassed Memphis as the most populous city in Tennessee, but there’s a lot more to this gorgeous state than Music City. Drive the backroads, visit the east side of the state and try the bbq to the west. People are kind, the country is expansive.
- Don’t call yourself a native if you’re not.
Evan Long - Flickr To be a local, you should be born here. Period. It’s an exclusive group that only a lucky few can claim - let ’em have it.
- Please don’t rave about our hot chicken.
David Berkowitz - Flickr Yes, we like it. Yes, we created a national craze. But it’s fried chicken at mama’s on Sunday, and we’re not interested in some millennial’s take on southern comfort food. We’ll take the classic, please!
- Don’t speak “Roll Tide” audibly. Anywhere.
Mike C - Flickr This is a sore spot amongst our orange sporting East Tennesseans, so it’s best just to keep your Alabama pride to yourself. But hey - once you’re back over the border, go to town!
- Claiming there’s bbq better than the Volunteer State is sacrilege.
Karen - Flickr We have the best bbq, and we know it. When we hear you proclaiming the virtues of any other spot on the map we just roll our eyes and smile tightly. No reason to correct the ignorant sometimes, you know?
- “The weather is going to be PERFECT next weekend!”
Gary Millar - Flickr Look, buddy - you don’t know that. Tennessee weather turns on a dime, especially during the summertime. Keep an umbrella and shorts and a raincoat and spare food in your car. Who knows what may happen?
- The loser that tries to buy alcohol on a Sunday.
Frank Kehren - Flickr This is when we just sigh and say, “You aren’t from around here, are you?”
- The ol’ “tractor traffic” excuse.
Carl Spencer - Flickr Yes, we know there’s tractor traffic every once in awhile, but is there a reason you didn’t leave a few minutes earlier? Our farmers have to work to do, and keeping your schedulea ain’t one of ’em.
- “I moved here for music!”
Prayitno - Flickr You and everyone else in Nashville, honey. Enjoy writing on your porch and waxing poetic on Broadway - we wish you all the best, but Patsy and Johnny and George are forever at the top of our charts.
Now that we’re done feeling awkward, here are 10 Amazing Date Ideas for the Broke Tennessean.
Mark Gstohl - Flickr
And it is REALLY awkward when we have to set this straight. Elvis was born in Mississippi, although Tennessee was his adopted home.
Lacy - Flickr
It’s a contraction, so you’ll want to spell it as follows: y’all. No ya’ll, it’s wrong and you’re bound to be called out on it. (This was something I definitely had to learn - thanks friends!)
Brent Moore - Flickr
Nashville just surpassed Memphis as the most populous city in Tennessee, but there’s a lot more to this gorgeous state than Music City. Drive the backroads, visit the east side of the state and try the bbq to the west. People are kind, the country is expansive.
Evan Long - Flickr
To be a local, you should be born here. Period. It’s an exclusive group that only a lucky few can claim - let ’em have it.
David Berkowitz - Flickr
Yes, we like it. Yes, we created a national craze. But it’s fried chicken at mama’s on Sunday, and we’re not interested in some millennial’s take on southern comfort food. We’ll take the classic, please!
Mike C - Flickr
This is a sore spot amongst our orange sporting East Tennesseans, so it’s best just to keep your Alabama pride to yourself. But hey - once you’re back over the border, go to town!
Karen - Flickr
We have the best bbq, and we know it. When we hear you proclaiming the virtues of any other spot on the map we just roll our eyes and smile tightly. No reason to correct the ignorant sometimes, you know?
Gary Millar - Flickr
Look, buddy - you don’t know that. Tennessee weather turns on a dime, especially during the summertime. Keep an umbrella and shorts and a raincoat and spare food in your car. Who knows what may happen?
Frank Kehren - Flickr
This is when we just sigh and say, “You aren’t from around here, are you?”
Carl Spencer - Flickr
Yes, we know there’s tractor traffic every once in awhile, but is there a reason you didn’t leave a few minutes earlier? Our farmers have to work to do, and keeping your schedulea ain’t one of ’em.
Prayitno - Flickr
You and everyone else in Nashville, honey. Enjoy writing on your porch and waxing poetic on Broadway - we wish you all the best, but Patsy and Johnny and George are forever at the top of our charts.
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