Growing up in the south is a completely different experience than growing up any other way. If you’re a southern baby, or you live in the south, you’ve most likely experience all of these things at some point.

1. You can kiss your good hair days goodbye.

If you live in any southern state, odd are you are accustomed to the humidity. It’s hot, and sticky, and there’s never a chance of having a good hair day.

2. We say yes ma’am.

No matter how old the adult may be, it’s only polite to say yes ma’am and no ma’am or yes sir and no sir; if you didn’t you would probably get a spanking.

3. Rice and gravy was one of your first solid foods.

As a young girl, I was introduced to a roast with rice and gravy before my second birthday. By the age of 13 I knew my great grandmother’s recipe passed down from generations before her. It’s a southern comfort food, so sprinkle some Tony's on it for a little extra kick!

4. There are funny sayings for just about everything

“It’s about to gully wash”, “He’s acting like a coillon”, “Are you gonna get down at the grocery store?” We have sayings and names that just don’t make sense sometime, but we all know and love em’.

5. Everything ends in –eaux

Go became “geaux” and Boudreaux is a common last name. If it sounds like go, its probably spelt the Cajun way. GEAUX TIGERS!

6. If you were bad, you were put on your knees in rice.

There’s no doubt that the old southern discipline style is still alive. If you did something wrong, you could expect a good whippin’ or standing on your knees in rice.

7. Tailgates were an all day party.

From sun up to sun down, game day was always an event. It didn’t matter if you were 2 or 72, the tailgate was open for everyone.

8. No one cooked better than ya granny did.

Going to the grandparents’ house was like taking a trip to the candy store! There were always Sunday donuts after church, and fried chicken for lunch. Spending time at your grandparents’ house was a free pass for anything and everything delicious.

9. Southern hospitality was all around.

No matter where you went or whom you met, you always smiled and greeted them with a friendly hello. Everyone helps one another, friendships spark from small gestures, and common courtesy is actually common.

10. Mardi Gras was a monthly preparation.

From mardi gras balls to city parades, the month of February rains purple, green, and gold. Happiness came in the form of a law chair and a set of colorful beads.

11. You were always asked "How's your momma doing?"

Everyone knows everyone in a small town. Whether you met at church, in high school, or just at the grocery store, there's always someone to check in on back home.

12. You probably has a crawfish boil for your birthday party.

Southerns know how to boil a good pot of spicy crawfish! Forget the barbecue or casserole dinners, if you wanted to really go big for your birthday party you would throw a neighborhood crawfish boil.

13. Tradition makes us who we are.

It doesn’t matter if you grew up in southwest LA, Alabama, or the coast of Florida, the traditions of your community make you the person you are today. Small memories can become lifetime occurrences.