I have only lived in Louisiana for a couple of months now but there are definitely some big differences from what I'm used to. I've lived most of my life in Colorado with short stints in California, New Mexico,Oklahoma and Kansas. Here are a few of the things I've noticed.
I have seen some freakin' enormous bugs! I'm afraid to find out exactly what they are but I'm fairly sure they could scurry away with my son. There seems to be quite a few bugs (of any variety) around here too. I'm guessing the lack of cold temperatures to kill them off is to blame.
They can charge you twice for sales tax on your registration if you can't prove you paid it elsewhere. (Yes, this one still irks me!)
My neighbors burn their yard waste in their back yard! Where I come from the only people who do that are farmers! Colorado and New Mexico have been in a drought for so long you can't even have a campfire and here any old shmo can burn leaves in his back yard? I'm a little afraid.
Rain. I love the rain. It makes me all...Well that doesn't matter. What does matter is that my grass is green and growing like crazy(we've mown it twice already) , my bushes and trees are blooming and I love it! (That may have something to do with people being allowed to burn things in their back yard.)
Leap test. My daughter has to past some week long test to be promoted to the fifth grade. It doesn't matter what her grades all year have been. Can this really be true? I certainly hope my daughter doesn't have problems with this since she didn't spend the whole year here.
Ma'am. I have never been called ma'am so much in all my life! The first time I was EVER called ma'am was traumatizing for me. Here I get it all the time. I appreciate the manners truly I do. I just don't feel all Ma'am-y yet. Get back to me in a few years.
Flood Insurance. My home has a 1% chance of flooding but I still have to purchase flood insurance. It's better to be safe than sorry but because of Katrina I have to pay through the nose for it!
Trees. Lots and lots of trees! It's a beautiful drive just about every place we've been!
This was an intimidating move for me. Every place else I've lived has been fairly similar. This one is a whole new world for me. I'm sure this is only the tip of the iceberg!
7 comments:
I used to hate being called maam too. if i don't have my kids towed behind me how do you know i am not a miss? do i look like a maam? evil...
Oh I would love to be called Ma'am all the time! I might just have to think about moving to Louisiana!
Ahh, the south .. I've heard so much about it yet I've never been.
I don't know if I would like living in place with no seasons though. Even though it's too cold sometimes, I love snow!
I've lived here for a year now and I'm still not used to some things. I moved from Jacksonville, FL, which is a huge city where no one really talks to anyone unless it's "Move out of my way!" or you know them personally... here in Lafayette, everyone is so friendly it took me a while to let my guard down enough to carry on a normal conversation - I always thought they were up to no good!
The bugs are huge here, but I'm so glad we don't have palmetto bugs like we did in Florida. I could've saddled one of those and ridden it around.
I get ma'amed and I'm only 22! It's weird, but I know it's because of how people are raised here. I appreciate the politeness (I was raised that way).
It is different, it's like an entirely new country here, but I like it so far!
I LOVE THE TREES! Even during the commute from hell, I enjoy the trees!
I'm going to go find out about Louisiana---I'm woefully ignorant. Be glad you haven't become so hormone-deficient that you risk being called Sir!
you're in the true south,,,ma'am is just a way of life, don't be offended by it.
I would be happy that you are even offered flood insurance...better safe than sorry is right.
Just wait until summer. True summer in Louisiana - You've never experienced heat and humidity like it before. Mark my words~ I can't wait for that post ;O)
The BEAUTIFUL trees are one of my favorite things about NoLa. When we visit I LOVE driving around and seeing how the massive, beautiful trees have made their own arches over streets, art around houses, it's just lovely!
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