5 Things Only People Raised in Acadiana Will Understand
You can travel all over the country, meet people from different parts of the world, and experience all kinds of different cultures. But if you grew up in Acadiana, you'll always have a little South Louisiana in you.
It might be the way you talk, the things you eat, the way you plan your weekends, or the fact that you consider a giant pot of something cooking outside perfectly normal.
Living in Acadiana comes with its own language, traditions, habits, and a few things that probably wouldn't make much sense to somebody from somewhere else.
Whether you grew up in Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, New Iberia, Abbeville, Opelousas, Breaux Bridge, or one of the smaller communities around South Louisiana, you might recognize a few of these signs.
Here are five things that might prove you were definitely raised in Acadiana.
1. You Will Go Out of Your Way to Avoid Making a Left Turn
If you've spent much time driving around Lafayette, you already understand this one.
Making a left turn during certain times of the day can feel like you're entering a competitive sport. Between traffic, busy intersections, and people who apparently have somewhere VERY important to be, sometimes it's just easier to find another route.
You might actually drive an extra mile or two just to avoid sitting in the middle of an intersection waiting for an opening.
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And if somebody tells you there's a shortcut that involves making three left turns, you might politely decline.
Roundabouts, side streets, back roads... whatever it takes. Around here, sometimes the longest route is actually the fastest route.
2. You Start Planning Supper Before You've Finished Breakfast
In Acadiana, deciding what's for supper isn't something you wait until 5 p.m. to figure out.
That conversation starts before the first cup of coffee is even finished.
You might be eating breakfast and already thinking about whether tonight is a gumbo night, a rice and gravy night, or maybe a trip to pick up some fried seafood.
READ MORE: Louisiana Cajun Last Names and What They Mean
Then there's the weekend planning. Somebody mentions having people over, and before you know it, you're discussing jambalaya, crawfish, crabs, sausage, corn, potatoes, and how many people might show up.
In Acadiana, dinner isn't just a meal. It's an entire event.
3. You Believe Almost Anything Is Better With Bacon
Some people look at a piece of bacon and see breakfast.
People raised in Acadiana see endless possibilities.
Shrimp wrapped in bacon? Absolutely.
Jalapeños wrapped in bacon? Of course.
Green beans wrapped in bacon? Why not?
If it can be wrapped in bacon, stuffed with something, thrown on the grill, or deep-fried, somebody around here has probably tried it.
4. You Repeat Words When You Really Want to Make a Point
This might be one of the easiest ways to identify somebody who grew up around Acadiana.
Around here, there's a big difference between something being good and something being GOOD GOOD.
The weather can be cold, or it can be cold cold.
The crawfish can be spicy, or they can be hot hot.
Somebody can be tired, or they can be tired tired.
And don't even get us started on food.
If somebody tells you their gumbo is good good, you already know they're serious about it.
It's one of those little language habits that might sound strange to outsiders, but people around South Louisiana understand exactly what you're saying.
And if you hear somebody throw in a "mais, yeah" or a "come see," you're probably talking to somebody who knows their way around Acadiana.
5. Getting a Hand-Me-Down Cast Iron Pot Is a Big Deal
If you've ever been handed a well-seasoned cast iron pot from your parents or grandparents, you know you've received something special.
These aren't just cooking pots. They're family heirlooms.
They've survived countless Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, hurricanes, and enough gumbo cookoffs to earn a place in the family history books.
And when somebody finally decides you're ready to take ownership of one, there's usually a little ceremony involved.
First, you'll hear the history of the pot. You'll learn where it came from, who used it, what was cooked in it, and how long it's been in the family.
Then comes the lecture about taking care of it.
You'll hear something along the lines of, "Now, listen. You don't put that thing in the dishwasher!"
There's Just Something Special About Growing Up in Acadiana
Whether it's the food, the language, the music, the festivals, or the way people around here treat a random Saturday like an excuse to get everybody together, Acadiana has a personality all its own.
You don't necessarily realize how different some of these everyday habits are until you leave South Louisiana and discover that not everybody talks, cooks, or lives the same way.
But that's part of what makes this area special.
7 Things Only People From Louisiana Can Truly Understand
Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott
