1. “North Carolina, South Carolina…Same Thing, Right?”
Yep… prepare to hear this a whole lot.
Outside of the East Coast, there’s this assumption that because both North Carolina and South Carolina share part of their name, they must be the exact same. Get used to people confusing the two.
2. Game Day Won’t Be So Sweet
Come fall in South Carolina, nothing is more important than college football. With several huge teams in the area and a great game day culture in the South, you’ll never find another sports atmosphere that compares.
3. Rivalries Won’t Be As Intense
Home to two of the most bitter rivals in the South, Auburn and University of South Carolina always manage to keep football season exciting.
Unfortunately, if you’re leaving the area, there’s a good chance you’ll have trouble finding anyone to watch big games with, let alone a few rival fans to talk trash to.
4. Tea Doesn’t Always Come Sweet
Believe it or not, ordering tea in most parts of the country will get you some hot water and a tea bag (what is this? England?!).
If you want sweet iced tea, there are only a few places you can get it year round. You’ll soon become an expert at knowing where these places are and which ones you like the best.
5. Barbecue Will Always Let You Down
In a part of the country that’s famous for their barbecue, it’s impossible to beat the delicious variety of mustard and vinegar based sauces found here. Regardless of where you move to, once you’ve grown up a carnivore in South Carolina, nothing will compare.
6. You Might Have To Buy Frozen Seafood
You may not have lived right on the ocean in South Carolina, but you were close enough to reap the benefits. If you end up leaving the Palmetto State for somewhere that’s landlocked, don’t expect the same quality of fish.
7. No One Else Will Know The Carolina Shag
The state dance of South Carolina, this popular swing-style dance tends to be taught to children as they’re growing up in this state.
Unfortunately for avid fans of this dance, it’s hard to find people that have even heard of it and even harder to find someone that will try a few steps with you.
8. Good Hush Puppies Are Hard To Come By
They come in many shapes and sizes, but none will be as delicious as the ones you’ll find in the Palmetto State.
While many new age American restaurants are trying to revamp this classic item with their own twist, one of the only places to find a true hushpuppy will always be South Carolina.
9. It’s Not As Easy To Get Wet And Wild
Boasting a landscape full of ponds, lakes, rivers, and views of the ocean, South Carolinians practically grow up with one foot in the water. Being able to get wet outside so often is something you’re sure to miss if you leave this state.
10. Friendliness Isn’t Always A Natural Personality Trait
With some of the nicest people around, you’ll definitely miss the kind-hearted goodness of the people in South Carolina when you leave.
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11. Happy Hours Aren’t So Happy Everywhere
While South Carolina has a great happy hour culture, offering cheap drinks and food for several hours throughout the day, this practice is actually banned in many places around the country.
Make sure you get your fix before you say goodbye if you’re moving somewhere that restricts hourly deals throughout the day.
12. Crabs Aren’t Always Blue
Outside of this region, it will be hard to find the blue crabs that have become your favorite over the years. When you leave South Carolina, you’ll be forced to eat whatever crustacean the store happens to carry that week and there’s a good chance it will be quite a bit more expensive.
13. Things Won’t Be Quite So Red
Known for being one of the most conservative Republican states in the country, South Carolina is basically a sea of red.
While other political parties exist here, they don’t get much of a voice. If you’re headed somewhere else in the country, it’s almost a sure bet you’ll encounter more liberals than you did back home.
14. You’ll Miss The Homemade Biscuits
In South Carolina, everyone seems to have a family recipe for homemade biscuits, each one delicious in its own different way. Unfortunately, this has spoiled you. Finding a good biscuit with the right amount of fluffiness without the dryness is much harder than it sounds.
15. Spanish Moss Doesn’t Grow Everywhere
Believe it or not, all that stuff hanging from the trees in South Carolina isn’t normal. Don’t expect to see too much of this if you get more than a few hours away from the Palmetto State.
16. Don’t Worry About Dodging Gators Anymore
While South Carolina might be home to over 100,000 alligators, this animal doesn’t travel much. If you’re not in one of the few parts of the country with a similar climate, you’ll have one less predator to worry about.
17. Expect Everyone To Point Out Your Accent
South Carolinians are famous for their slow, sweet Southern drawl and if you’re out-of-state, expect people to notice. They’re not making fun of you though, they’re just jealous.
18. You’ll Start Craving Good Shrimp And Grits
At this point, you can probably find a place serving up this Southern classic anywhere in the country, but there’s a good chance it won’t come close to meeting your standards.
The shrimp won’t be as fresh, the texture with the grits won’t be right, and the spices will be a bit off. If you want the true shrimp and grits you’re used to, the only place to find it is back home.
19. Life Isn’t Always A Walk On The Beach
Make sure you take advantage of living near a beach as much as possible before you leave. Few states across the country have a shoreline that’s as clean and accessible as the one in SC.
20. It Might Be A Long Time Before Your Next Day At The Races
Attracting over 70,000 people every year, the Carolina Cup steeplechase horse race is one of the most exciting events of the year. Even if you’re not into the sport, it’s a great excuse to get fancy and share a few drinks with friends.
Unfortunately, you’ll find there are few events that compare nationwide. Most race tracks will just let you down.
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21. It’s Not Always So Easy To Get Outside
With so much awesome weather and seemingly endless nature to explore, South Carolina is one of the easiest places to be outdoorsy in America. Not only is everything beautiful, the winters aren’t long or harsh, giving you extra time to work on your tan.
Much to a travelling South Carolinian’s dismay, there’s a good chance you’ll never find anything that can top the weather in the Palmetto State. Every snowstorm a displaced South Carolinian encounters will have them tapping their heels to get home.
22. People Won’t Understand Your Sarcasm
People in the South have a funny way of delivering insults and it heavily relies on sarcasm.
With popular sayings like “bless your heart” actually conveying a sense of pity, there’s a good chance most outsiders will think you’re complimenting them when you’re actually dropping a monster slam.
23. You’ll Long For A Good Ole Fashioned Oyster Roast
In South Carolina, nothing says party like an oyster roast. People outside of the state will most likely find it strange that booze heavy celebrations are built around this shelled snack.
24. Buying Roadside Food Isn’t Always Normal
If you’re a fan of boiled peanuts, it’s probably best if you never leave the South. Famous for being sold roadside in rural areas, this snack is relatively rare outside of this region.
25. The Term “Sandlapper” Doesn’t Travel
The nickname for South Carolinians, there’s a good chance no one you encounter outside of the state will have any clue what it is.
Unlike terms similar to “Californian,” which obviously indicates a location and terms like “Hoosiers” that are directly correlated to a prominent state university, Sandlapper tends to be a bit more confusing.
26. People Might Find Your Seersucker Strange
This style of fabric is famous in the South for helping in the battle against humidity. Lightweight and textured, the unique design of this material helps keep clothing from sticking to the skin of the wearer.
However, in places where heat isn’t a problem, seersucker is rarely encountered. That striped and monogrammed cotton suit you’re wearing is sure to turn some heads.
27. It’s “Southern” Hospitality For A Reason
Don’t expect people everywhere to be so polite.
While words like “Sir” and “Ma’am” might be customary in the South Carolina region, people in other areas might find it off-putting and at times a bit insulting when what they consider to be formal terms make their way into casual conversation.
28. People Might Question Your Obsession With Hot Sauce
If one thing’s for sure, it’s that South Carolinians can never have too much spice in their life. While your favorite restaurant in Charleston might have over a dozen different community hot sauce bottles for you to choose from, in most parts of the country, you’re lucky if you get one.
29. Snow Really Isn’t That Big Of A Deal
In South Carolina, people freak out when it snows. Grocery store shelves are emptied, people call in sick, and roadways become a big parking lot at the mere sign of flurries. However, in areas of the country that experience a little more of a winter, lives go on normally regardless of what falls from the sky.
If you leave South Carolina for somewhere North, expect a very low tolerance for your tentative driving tendencies on slick roads.
30. You’ll Never Find More State Pride
It’s rare to find people around the country more committed to their state than South Carolinians. Of course, it’s pretty obvious why this state is so loved by its residents.
With some of the best cities in the country, the most beautiful shorelines, some of the tastiest barbecue, and the freshest seafood around, South Carolina can’t be beat.
What do you miss about South Carolina? Tell us in the comments below!
