We Floridians pride ourselves in being pretty laid-back and easy-going most of the time, but there are a few rules even we adhere to. Even though we’re generally friendly folks, our state is different than any other. So if you want to live here, it helps to know a few things no Floridian would ever do:
- Take the first spot we see without looking for shade.
Flickr/hiimlynx Unless you like being burned by your seatbelt, a shady spot is worth a lot more than a close spot.
- Go outside in this.
Flickr/M.M.Meeks In the lightning capital of the country, we know that lightning is no joke.
- Complain about the heat.
Flickr/bark We’re used to it, and complaining doesn’t change it, so why bother.
- Give up their beloved flip-flops.
Flickr/Cíntia Regina These are perfectly acceptable footwear year-round, regardless of the temperature or occasion.
- Mess with one of these.
Flickr/Craig ONeal While many Floridians might not be “afraid” of gators, you can bet that they’re smart enough to respect them.
- Freak out about a little rain.
Flickr/Jed Scattergood It rains almost every day here in the summer, so you can’t worry about little things like getting your hair wet every now and then.
- Wish for cold weather.
Flickr/Gregory Tran
- Call this “pop.”
Flickr/Rex Sorgatz Some of us use Southern slang, depending on where you are in the state, but Northern and Midwestern slang is pretty much nonexistent here.
- Visit theme parks in the summer.
Flickr/rickpilot_2000 We’ve been to enough theme parks and through enough Florida summers to know that the two do not mix. Who wants to spend all day stuck in a line in 95-degree weather?
- Spend winters anywhere else.
Flickr/ClaraDon Winters in Florida are so beautiful that they make the sweltering summers worth the wait. That’s why you won’t catch us leaving the state during the winter, no matter how many snowbirds have taken over our towns.
- Get caught with a terrible sunburn.
Flickr/Kevin O’Mara If you grew up in Florida, you should probably know how to take care of your skin in the sun by now.
- Freak out at the first sign of a storm.
Flickr/Roger W Even though we all know how serious these things can be, Floridians try not to get worried about every single storm. After all, we have a whole hurricane season.
What do you think? Do you have any others to add to our list?
Flickr/hiimlynx
Unless you like being burned by your seatbelt, a shady spot is worth a lot more than a close spot.
Flickr/M.M.Meeks
In the lightning capital of the country, we know that lightning is no joke.
Flickr/bark
We’re used to it, and complaining doesn’t change it, so why bother.
Flickr/Cíntia Regina
These are perfectly acceptable footwear year-round, regardless of the temperature or occasion.
Flickr/Craig ONeal
While many Floridians might not be “afraid” of gators, you can bet that they’re smart enough to respect them.
Flickr/Jed Scattergood
It rains almost every day here in the summer, so you can’t worry about little things like getting your hair wet every now and then.
Flickr/Gregory Tran
Flickr/Rex Sorgatz
Some of us use Southern slang, depending on where you are in the state, but Northern and Midwestern slang is pretty much nonexistent here.
Flickr/rickpilot_2000
We’ve been to enough theme parks and through enough Florida summers to know that the two do not mix. Who wants to spend all day stuck in a line in 95-degree weather?
Flickr/ClaraDon
Winters in Florida are so beautiful that they make the sweltering summers worth the wait. That’s why you won’t catch us leaving the state during the winter, no matter how many snowbirds have taken over our towns.
Flickr/Kevin O’Mara
If you grew up in Florida, you should probably know how to take care of your skin in the sun by now.
Flickr/Roger W
Even though we all know how serious these things can be, Floridians try not to get worried about every single storm. After all, we have a whole hurricane season.
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