I've always joked that I don't have a culture. It was only once I left my home state of Florida that I realized I do, in fact, have a culture. I have the bizarre Floridian culture that only those of us from the state will ever truly understand.
1. When the temperature drops below 70, it's officially sweater weather.
I showed up to class in a beanie, gloves, ski coat, fleece, and boots when it hit 40 degrees.
2. A little rain can't stop us.
We're so used to the rain that it hardly bothers us at this point. We don't use umbrellas either. We just allow ourselves to be poured on.
3. People asking what our favorite season is has us like...
I mean, I guess hurricane season is kind of cool when it's not completely destroying entire regions?
4. We already know where that weird headline took place.
I don't even look it up anymore. If there's a weird headline, we all already know the story is from somewhere in Florida.
5. A sale on Pub Subs basically is The Purge.
Once we hear those chicken tender subs are on sale, all hell breaks loose. It's every man for himself.
6. Alligators.
We've all known how to run from an alligator since we were born. We aren't even surprised when we see gators crossing the streets or in our neighborhoods anymore. We are one with the gators.
7. Nobody can drive.
If you learned to drive in Florida and say you're a good driver, you're a liar and need to stop.
8. The UF/FSU/UM rivalry.
Ummmm... Go Dawgs.
9. Hating Florida but not allowing anyone else to talk badly about it.
Yes, Florida sucks. I can say that. You can't.
10. The further North you go, the more Southern you get.
South Florida is full of jerks. North Florida is full of Southern hospitality and actual sweet tea. Once you pass through Yeehaw Junction in Central Florida, you're in the South.