Moving to or visiting the Palmetto State any time soon? You’re not alone. In fact, South Carolinians are super accustomed to both and to explaining some “insider secrets” about the way we do things here. Whether you’re moving here or just planning your first trip, here are some things you may want to understand before you head to South Carolina.
- Flip flops
Flickr/Cheri Chow Flip flops are a versatile wardrobe staple. In fact, we wear them practically everywhere in South Carolina. People wear them to the grocery store. Some people wear them to work. And some people even wear them to church!
- Light switches
Flickr/Andrew Smith In South Carolina you don’t “turn the light off,” you “cut it off.” Or you cut it on. In this picture, someone must have just cut the light off because the switch is pointing downward.
- The term “crack the window”
Flickr/Gord Webster People who aren’t from here may need some further instructions when you ask them to crack the window. Just monitor the situation very closely and intervene if necessary. Tip: if you’re not from here, “crack the window” simply means roll it down a little.
- Snow hysteria
Flickr/Ryon Edwards For most of the state, snow happens so seldom that it creates havoc. At the first sight of flurries, bridges close, schools close, businesses close, events are postponed “until further notice” and general hysteria ensues. A small portion of the upstate handles the snow like a pro though.
- Why we can’t just all get along when it comes to football.
Flickr/Pierre-Arnaud KOPP When it comes to Clemson and Carolina, there can be only ONE Alpha. Pick a side and be prepared to defend your team.
- “Bless your heart”
Flickr/Bernard Walker Just because someone is smiling when they say “bless your heart,” does not mean it was a nice thing to say. If you get to the point where haven’t figured this out on your own and someone has to actually explain it to you, well then “bless your heart.” (Seriously, in a good way,)
- Kin folk
Flickr/Mulvenna Family In South Carolina, a Saturday spent with family from all over the place is called a reunion and it’s great to see all those “kin” again.
- Hose pipe
Flickr/tai viinikka To an outsider, a “hose pipe” may sound like drug paraphernalia, but it’s just a waterhose. The term hose pipe seems to be more prevalent in the western part of the state.
- A pig pickin'
Flickr/Kate Gardiner The best kinds of pig roasts are the kind where you scoot right up to the grill and pick your own meat right off the pig. That’s a “pig pickin’.”
- Barbecue sauce
Flickr/Dan Costin There’s only one way to make barbecue sauce. It’s the South Carolina Way - or the highway.
- Palmetto bugs
Flickr/David, Bergin, Emmett and Elliott Follow If you’re from South Carolina, whatever you do, keep the illusion running that these pesky creatures are not “cockroaches.” Be convincing. You’ve got this.
- Buggys
Flickr/Katherine Tompkins When you walk into Walmart and the greeter asks if you’d like a buggy…he doesn’t mean one of these. It’s such a confusing word for most outsiders that by the time they’re figuring it out, the greeter is already passing them what they know to be a shopping cart. But it’s a “buggy!”
- Ice tea
Flickr/Jen collins If you aren’t from here and you order an “ice tea,” then you’d better like it sugared down, because that’s how ice tea is served here unless you ask for “no sugar.” Can you tell which one of these has sugar and which one doesn’t?
- Why many native South Carolinians flinch at the mention of Myrtle Beach
Flickr/Greg Kintz Myrtle Beach is a lovely place that some people really enjoy. However, to natives, the only thing we have against Myrtle Beach is the fear it invokes in us all that this kind of overdevelopment (however tasteful) could happen in our own backyards. And that’s the primary reason we flinch when we hear the name.
- Grits
Flickr/Dan4th Nicholas If you are in South Carolina don’t knock our favorite foods by rolling your eyes or saying “ewwww.” Why must we always explain that grits are delicious?
If you’re moving or just visiting, hopefully these 15 “insider” secrets will give you a head start to fitting in. And if you’re already a South Carolinian, what other things are you always explaining to out-of-towners? We’d love to know in our comments.
Flickr/Cheri Chow
Flip flops are a versatile wardrobe staple. In fact, we wear them practically everywhere in South Carolina. People wear them to the grocery store. Some people wear them to work. And some people even wear them to church!
Flickr/Andrew Smith
In South Carolina you don’t “turn the light off,” you “cut it off.” Or you cut it on. In this picture, someone must have just cut the light off because the switch is pointing downward.
Flickr/Gord Webster
People who aren’t from here may need some further instructions when you ask them to crack the window. Just monitor the situation very closely and intervene if necessary. Tip: if you’re not from here, “crack the window” simply means roll it down a little.
Flickr/Ryon Edwards
For most of the state, snow happens so seldom that it creates havoc. At the first sight of flurries, bridges close, schools close, businesses close, events are postponed “until further notice” and general hysteria ensues. A small portion of the upstate handles the snow like a pro though.
Flickr/Pierre-Arnaud KOPP
When it comes to Clemson and Carolina, there can be only ONE Alpha. Pick a side and be prepared to defend your team.
Flickr/Bernard Walker
Just because someone is smiling when they say “bless your heart,” does not mean it was a nice thing to say. If you get to the point where haven’t figured this out on your own and someone has to actually explain it to you, well then “bless your heart.” (Seriously, in a good way,)
Flickr/Mulvenna Family
In South Carolina, a Saturday spent with family from all over the place is called a reunion and it’s great to see all those “kin” again.
Flickr/tai viinikka
To an outsider, a “hose pipe” may sound like drug paraphernalia, but it’s just a waterhose. The term hose pipe seems to be more prevalent in the western part of the state.
Flickr/Kate Gardiner
The best kinds of pig roasts are the kind where you scoot right up to the grill and pick your own meat right off the pig. That’s a “pig pickin’.”
Flickr/Dan Costin
There’s only one way to make barbecue sauce. It’s the South Carolina Way - or the highway.
Flickr/David, Bergin, Emmett and Elliott Follow
If you’re from South Carolina, whatever you do, keep the illusion running that these pesky creatures are not “cockroaches.” Be convincing. You’ve got this.
Flickr/Katherine Tompkins
When you walk into Walmart and the greeter asks if you’d like a buggy…he doesn’t mean one of these. It’s such a confusing word for most outsiders that by the time they’re figuring it out, the greeter is already passing them what they know to be a shopping cart. But it’s a “buggy!”
Flickr/Jen collins
If you aren’t from here and you order an “ice tea,” then you’d better like it sugared down, because that’s how ice tea is served here unless you ask for “no sugar.” Can you tell which one of these has sugar and which one doesn’t?
Flickr/Greg Kintz
Myrtle Beach is a lovely place that some people really enjoy. However, to natives, the only thing we have against Myrtle Beach is the fear it invokes in us all that this kind of overdevelopment (however tasteful) could happen in our own backyards. And that’s the primary reason we flinch when we hear the name.
Flickr/Dan4th Nicholas
If you are in South Carolina don’t knock our favorite foods by rolling your eyes or saying “ewwww.” Why must we always explain that grits are delicious?
For more insider secrets about the Palmetto State, Here Are The 10 Best Kept Secrets In South Carolina.
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