Unlike most LSU students, I’m not from Louisiana. I was born and raised in Florida, but I’ve spent the last two years in one of the most interesting states in the U.S.
I’ll never understand many things about Louisiana, including the fashion in humid temperatures, the overconsumption of alcohol and the obsession with crawfish.
For starters, Louisiana is much hotter than Florida, and every local I’ve talked to has been stunned by that notion. Nevertheless, Louisiana feels more humid than Florida.
According to Wise Voter, Louisiana is the second most humid state in the nation, while Florida is ranked fourth. Though there’s only a slight difference between the two, many parts of Florida get an ocean breeze. Unfortunately, Louisiana only has swamps nearby, which doesn’t do me any good.
As soon as I walk outside, I feel like I’m about to start sweating. Meanwhile, every Louisiana native looks like they’ve just stepped out of a spa with clear and glowing complexions.
READ MORE: Baton Rouge Arts Market hopes for greater growth under new management
Most people with those glowing complexions are the same ones wearing sweatshirts and sweatpants when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and they couldn’t be less bothered by the weather. Yet I’m over here wearing a T-shirt and leggings, and I’m sweating my ass off.
How do you not overheat? Seriously, I’m both jealous and curious. I wish I could wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt daily without looking like I just ran a marathon.
But, one of the main culture shocks I faced when I first came to LSU was the overconsumption of alcohol. Any state can have varying levels of drinking; however, nowhere beats Louisiana when it comes to alcohol. And that’s not something to be proud of.
Every June, Rocco’s bar hosts the College World Series Jello Shot Challenge. Last year, LSU won the challenge by buying over 60,000 jello shots. Many LSU students, football fans and challenge participants took pride in the victory.
To be fair, maybe not every single jello shot was consumed. But let’s be honest, every shot was probably consumed. I’ve never seen a state more addicted to alcohol than Louisiana.
This challenge furthers the perception that Louisiana is full of drunk lunatics, which might as well be the case when LSU gives students two and a half days off to party and get drunk every February (or March) for Mardi Gras.
I’m not trying to be a party pooper, but it’s astounding how the overconsumption of alcohol is so readily accepted in this state. The state motto might as well be changed from “Union, Justice, Confidence” to “Union, Justice, Alcohol.” Maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but I’m sure some people would love the suggestion.
The last thing that always baffles me about this state is the admiration for crawfish. Ooh, a small crustacean that you barely get any meat from. How exciting.
READ MORE: Banana Ball at the Box: The Savannah Bananas put on a show for Baton Rouge
I’ve always been a seafood lover; however, crawfish is not up to par. I can barely get any flavor from the thing. The measly flavors that I do taste are either the butter it’s smothered in or the numerous spices dumped on it.
Why not just eat some lobster, crab or any other fish in the universe? The flavor is better, and you don’t have to eat 40 of them to feel slightly full. So, yeah, I don’t understand the hype.
But not everything about Louisiana is an absolute earthquake. During my time here, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people who will make you feel at home and cook you wonderful food (outside of crawfish). And that’s probably the best thing about this state: the people.
They may differ from what you’d expect, but they have some of the biggest hearts to offer everyone they meet.
Taylor Hamilton is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Tallahassee, Florida.
