We have been here almost a year, now.
Moved from Virginia after 11 years, but originally I am from upstate New York.
What I have learned about Louisiana so far:
When you first arrive your neighbor will call your husband “Braa” which means “Bro” and offer him a beer. That neighbor will probably have been drinking since he got home at 2pm and not be wearing a shirt.
He will also greet you with a kiss on the cheek that smells like beer every time he sees you. He will prove to be the nicest guy you ever met, though.
This neighbor will also appear from the bushes that are like 3 houses down and scream your name and wave to you while shirtless until you acknowledge him.
Same neighbor will have stories on how they survived Gustav, hunkered down under the carport.
If someone lives in North Louisiana and moved to South Louisiana or vice versa, they refer to themselves as being from out of state.
If your family lives in Shreveport, they are considered to be far away. 4 hours (a day trip) as compared to my family in NY which is like 20 hour drive. I try not to be confused when I hear this.
You basically have to provide a blood sample to get your kid into public school around here.
Public schools have uniforms. Never seen that before.
Everything can be a party here. For example, if you car breaks down, why not drink to the occasion?
You can buy any type of liquor you want at Walmart or get a drink through a drive through, and legally have it in your car as long as there is no straw in it. Say what?
If you want a pet, it must be adopted and not considered bought, although you will have to pay for it.
The fleur-de-lis, (Yes I had to look that up on Google to know how to say and spell it right) will appear everywhere, in peoples homes as décor or on grocery bags or on shop signs, as place-mats and on iron gates. I don’t think any other state has a symbol that is used as much as this. I could be wrong.
School will be closed a whole week for Mardi Gras. That is a whole other thing. Mardi Gras.
Your kids will leave Mardi Gras family parades looking like a pimp.
If it’s a little cold the heat is on. If it is a little warm the AC is on. That thing is always running.
You have what 
is called a “Boil” where you eat food that still has eyes on it and you all eat with your hands from the same pile. Barbaric.
There is gumbo and jambalaya. I still have no idea what the difference is.
If you want to get your kids attention, you say “Come see” instead of “Come here”
Boudin looks like sausage but its not.
If you are on the LSU beach (lake) and some people that were paddle boarding tell you they saw gators in the water, pretend not to be alarmed because they aren’t.
If you are from here, you never leave here. There are like 9 generations of your family here. Roots go deep.
The pediatricians will say “BOBO” for “Boo-boo.”
Bobo is a clown where I come from.
Mosquitoes will appear as much as the Fleur-de-lis symbol.
Lastly, I have to mention smock dresses, big bows and all things embroidered.
Wow, you c an’t tell the difference between gumbo and jambalaya, this is indeed extreme satire.
Well, bless your heart…..
For the uninformed: Gumbo and jambalaya have similar ingredients. Gumbo is like a soup and served over a bed of rice, Jambalaya has the rice cooked along with the other ingredients (a one-pot dish).
Don’t know what part of Louisiana you settled on but welcome to Louisiana from a Cajun in Acadiana (God’s land and people ).
WELCOME TO UNIQUE SOUTHERN CUISINE AND CULTURE!!!!! U CAN BEAT US, SO JOIN US, U WILL BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO ALL OF IT……LE BON TON ROULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha Ha love this!! It’s accurately fits the description of an “outsider” looking in. My family and I moved to Louisiana almost 2 years ago it is quite interesting here to say the least.
I am from NY too! (LI) I came to LA to visit about 27 yrs ago & I stayed! I felt like I was home, you never meet a stranger, everyone hugs you the first time you meet them, you are always entertained, you will never go hungry,if someone is in need everyone rally’s around & there is a benefit, poker run, Jambalaya plate lunch sale or all of the above. I love life here, I feel it has kept me young and always smiling (ok sometimes shaking my head in wonder too) Welcome Home 🙂
it seems like you have a little more to learn about Louisiana. I went to college in Lafayette and lived there for five years. I have still have very dear friends in the area and go back to visit a couple of times a year. They have a rich culture and some of the best people you ever want to meet. There is nothing better than a good crawfish boil, but I do have to admit it took me a little while to get used to my food looking at me.
That shirtless guy down the street would probably give you his only shirt if he thought you needed it.
I hope you keep an open mind.
There is NO place like home! Like a great gumbo, it doesn’t get any better. Greetings or “heyyy” from Baton Rouge!
My home state!!! Never leaving <3 welcome to Cajun territory!!