Throughout life, you’ll be forced to deal with plenty of uncomfortable situations. It’s simply unavoidable. And even though you may not realize it, just being a Mississippian brings on a whole new slew of these types of situations. Keep reading for 13 perfect examples and see how many you can relate to.
- Asking for a sweet tea only to be told the restaurant you’re at doesn’t serve it.
Jorge Quinteros/Flickr There’s nothing like a nice, refreshing glass of sweet tea – something you’re quickly reminded of as soon as you head out of state and are unable to get your hands on some.
- Ordering a “coke” and getting a…(gasp!) Coke.
Phera Laster/Flickr If you visit a restaurant up north and order a “coke,” the waitress won’t ask “what kind?” Nope; she’ll simply bring you a Coke. It’s outrageous, I know, but it’s true.
- Explaining how to pronounce the name of a Mississippi town or county.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr People from out of state may get a kick out of our accents, but hearing them try and pronounce words like “Gautier” and “Issaquena” is equally as amusing.
- Going to Wal-Mart not looking your best and running into just about everyone you know.
Levois J/Flickr Dress nicely, and you could spend hours in Wal-Mart without seeing anyone you know. Run in while not looking your best, and it’s practically guaranteed you’re going to see just about every person you’ve ever met in your entire like. (Okay. Maybe it’s not that drastic, but it’ll sure seem like it.)
- Correcting someone who assumes everyone in Mississippi lives on primitive farms.
Fujoshi Bijou/Flickr It’s unbelievable how many people truly believe we don’t have electricity or indoor plumbing. Hello. It’s the south; not the past.
- Having your hospitality met with a blank stare.
Oz Lang/Flickr Being hospitable is practically in our blood and that doesn’t change when we leave the state. However, it’s just not the same in most places, so don’t be surprised if you wave, say “excuse me,” or exhibit any manners whatsoever and are met with a blank or confused stare.
- Harnessing your inner ninja when you walk through a spider web.
Steven/Flickr If you live in Mississippi walking through a spider web is practically inevitable. And when it does happen, we all go into ninja-mode and shout things like, “Is it on me?!”
- Dealing with unwanted houseguests.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr In rural Mississippi, it’s not uncommon for animals to make their way inside. From snakes to birds, you never know who (or what?) will show up at your house and make themselves at home.
- Spotting one of these and then spending hours trying to get rid of it.
Michael Lehenbauer/Flickr Like something straight from a horror movie, roaches in Mississippi are big, fast, and, to make matters worse, they can fly. I think pretty much every Mississippian has had the frightening experience of spotting one of these bad boys, trying to kill it with a shoe or some other weapon of choice, and missing. Just knowing the roach is lurking around makes it nearly impossible to relax, so you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time moving furniture and other items to find it.
- Asking what the “blue plate special” is at an out-of-state restaurant.
MrTinDC/Flickr A majority of Mississippi restaurants serve blue plate specials, which normally consist of a hearty home-cooked meal, complete with dessert. Unfortunately (and shockingly), these types of specials don’t exist in many other states.
- Spending way too long at a 4-way stop because all the drivers are too polite to go first.
Chauncer/Flickr Being hospitable is just in our nature, so instances like this are not uncommon.
- Trying to eat a snowball while driving.
Cassie/Flickr We’ve all been there. It’s summertime, you want something nice and cold, so you stop by the local snowball stand and grab one in your favorite flavor. The next thing you know, you’re in your car, awkwardly trying to steer with your knee so you can use your hands to eat it.
- Getting strange looks when using phrases like “y’all” and “fixin’ to” while up north.
Joe Benjamin/Flickr In Mississippi, these words wouldn’t garner any attention, but use them up north and you’ll definitely turn a few heads.
How many of these can you relate to? What would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section!
Jorge Quinteros/Flickr
There’s nothing like a nice, refreshing glass of sweet tea – something you’re quickly reminded of as soon as you head out of state and are unable to get your hands on some.
Phera Laster/Flickr
If you visit a restaurant up north and order a “coke,” the waitress won’t ask “what kind?” Nope; she’ll simply bring you a Coke. It’s outrageous, I know, but it’s true.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
People from out of state may get a kick out of our accents, but hearing them try and pronounce words like “Gautier” and “Issaquena” is equally as amusing.
Levois J/Flickr
Dress nicely, and you could spend hours in Wal-Mart without seeing anyone you know. Run in while not looking your best, and it’s practically guaranteed you’re going to see just about every person you’ve ever met in your entire like. (Okay. Maybe it’s not that drastic, but it’ll sure seem like it.)
Fujoshi Bijou/Flickr
It’s unbelievable how many people truly believe we don’t have electricity or indoor plumbing. Hello. It’s the south; not the past.
Oz Lang/Flickr
Being hospitable is practically in our blood and that doesn’t change when we leave the state. However, it’s just not the same in most places, so don’t be surprised if you wave, say “excuse me,” or exhibit any manners whatsoever and are met with a blank or confused stare.
Steven/Flickr
If you live in Mississippi walking through a spider web is practically inevitable. And when it does happen, we all go into ninja-mode and shout things like, “Is it on me?!”
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
In rural Mississippi, it’s not uncommon for animals to make their way inside. From snakes to birds, you never know who (or what?) will show up at your house and make themselves at home.
Michael Lehenbauer/Flickr
Like something straight from a horror movie, roaches in Mississippi are big, fast, and, to make matters worse, they can fly. I think pretty much every Mississippian has had the frightening experience of spotting one of these bad boys, trying to kill it with a shoe or some other weapon of choice, and missing. Just knowing the roach is lurking around makes it nearly impossible to relax, so you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time moving furniture and other items to find it.
MrTinDC/Flickr
A majority of Mississippi restaurants serve blue plate specials, which normally consist of a hearty home-cooked meal, complete with dessert. Unfortunately (and shockingly), these types of specials don’t exist in many other states.
Chauncer/Flickr
Being hospitable is just in our nature, so instances like this are not uncommon.
Cassie/Flickr
We’ve all been there. It’s summertime, you want something nice and cold, so you stop by the local snowball stand and grab one in your favorite flavor. The next thing you know, you’re in your car, awkwardly trying to steer with your knee so you can use your hands to eat it.
Joe Benjamin/Flickr
In Mississippi, these words wouldn’t garner any attention, but use them up north and you’ll definitely turn a few heads.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “12 Strange Habits Every Mississippian Will Defend To The Death.“
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