1. You’ll Long For Lazy Days At A Bluegrass Festival
Nothing beats lazing around outside during a Kentucky summer day and listening to musicians from one of the best local bluegrass scenes in the country.
2. The Wildcats Will Always Be Your Home Team
No matter how far you go or how long you’re gone, you’ll never stop cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats.
3. You’ll Always Have The Best Hat Collection
There was way more competition in Kentucky, but if you take your extensive collection of hats with you, you’ll always be the belle of the ball.
4. No One Knows The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey
Not all whiskey is bourbon! Kentuckians know the difference, but the rest of the world confuses the two all the time.
5. Mint Juleps Are Considered An Old Lady Drink
You may get some funny looks at the bar if you order one, but just remind everyone that old ladies, especially old Kentuckian ladies, are incredibly wise (especially when it comes to their drink orders).
6. Poke Is Something You Do On Facebook
Outside of Kentucky, people might be confused if you tell them you put your groceries in one.
7. People Are Unnecessarily Grossed Out By The Name Hot Brown
But only because they don’t understand how delicious the open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich is.
8. No One Does A Yard Sale Like Kentuckians
The 400 mile yard sale will make every sad yard sale that’s just a few pieces of junk from someone’s basement seem like a joke.
9. You’ll Start Dreaming About Cream Candy
And you’ll start begging your Kentucky relatives and friends to send you some every time you talk to them.
10. Every Time Someone Pronounces Louisville You’ll Laugh
It’s “Loo-a-vul.” Everything else is just so wrong.
11. You’ll Be Asked To Repeat Things A Million Times
Try not to scream the fiftieth time someone says, “Tar? Oh you mean tire.”
12. Stock Up On Grippo’s Before You Go
Otherwise you’ll be stuck searching in a Grippo’s-less grocery store wondering why the entire world isn’t already hip to the best chips ever.
13. Drink All The Ale-8 You Can Now
Again, you’ll be wondering why everyone doesn’t carry this delicious ginger and citrus soft drink. If you’re more of a Ski fan, stock up on that too.
14. Not Everyone Has A Moonshine Connection
Kentuckians have the magical ability to go through their contacts and find at least one third cousin who has a friend who makes moonshine. It’s not so common everywhere else.
15. Spring Will Always Be Kentucky Derby Season
Even if you can’t attend, you’ll still place your bets on the best thoroughbreds and tune in.
16. People Will Take You Out To Kentucky Fried Chicken And It Will Be Terrible
They’ll think of it as a nice gesture, but it’ll really just make you miss real Kentucky home cooking all the more.
17. Don’t Even Try To Explain Burgoo
Whether you make it with deer or mutton, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink stew you’re so fond of is only going to confuse everyone else. Especially since you can never quite nail down what’s going in it until it’s done.
18. No BBQ Will Ever Compare To Kentucky Mutton BBQ
It’s just one of the sad facts you’ll have to accept eventually.
19. There’s Really Not A More Beautiful Place To Explore The Outdoors
Whether it’s a hike up an Appalachian Mountain trail or a trip to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky has tons of natural beauty that you’ll totally miss.
20. The Cost Of Living Is Totally Ridiculous
Oh, affordable Kentucky housing prices and taxes, you will be missed.
21. Only Ignorant People Will Assume You’re Uneducated
Just brush it off and move on, because you know the truth, and you know what they say about people who assume.
22. Or They’ll Ask If You Wore Shoes
Deep breath. In and out. Kentuckians who leave clearly must have the patience of saints. However, if any inbreeding jokes start, you totally have permission to completely lose that patience.
23. There’s No Nice Quite Like Kentucky Nice
All that smiling and waving at strangers on the street or inviting a new neighbor over for a big dinner doesn’t usually happen outside The Bluegrass State.
24. Usually Seasons Last A Few Months At A Time
Not a couple weeks before they randomly change, like they do in Kentucky.
25. Everyone Will Endlessly Bug You For Your Derby Pie Recipe
Because after one bite everyone will finally be able to admit fruit in pies is totally overrated, and clearly pecans, bourbon, and chocolate are far superior ingredients.
26. You’ll Never Get Used To Unsweetened Tea
Because it’s disgusting. That is all.
27. Buying A Gun Means Going Through Hoops, Hoops And… Oh, More Hoops
Second Amendment rights in Kentucky are just a given, but outside the Bluegrass State, there may be a few more hurdles to jump over.
28. No Matter How Long You’re Gone, A Warsh Will Always Slip Out
That accent is here to stay. Versailles will always be Ver-sales, wash will always be warsh, and even if you lose it, a glass of good old Kentucky bourbon will bring it back again.
29. You’ll Have More Camo In Your Wardrobe Than Everyone Else
Whether it’s totally practical for hunting or just fashionable, Kentuckians know how to rock some camo.
30. Belting Out “My Old Kentucky Home” Is The Only Cure For Homesickness
Don’t try to avoid the pain. Just move through the pain.
What do you miss most about Kentucky? Tell us in the comments below!
