1. It’s Not Halloween, It’s Guavaween
Halloween may as well be called Guavaween in Tampa because that’s the favorite local celebration, full of voodoo magic and a freakshow carnival.
2. Pretty Much No One Wears Real Shoes
Leave your boots and heels at home because Tampanians wear flip flops seven days a week, 52 weeks per year. And yes, it’s totally acceptable work attire.
3. If It’s Under 65 Degrees, It’s Winter
Put on the coats and scarves when the weather dips below a mild 65, but remember, Tampanians will still be wearing flip flops no matter how cold they are.
4. Every Tampanian Is A Pirate At Heart
Tampanians (or Tampans, depending on who you ask) may as well be walking around on a peg leg with a parrot on their shoulder because everyone is convinced they’re part-pirate, especially when Gasparilla rolls around.
5. Feeling Like Your Face Is About To Melt Off In Summer Is Normal
In the Tampa heat, it’s crucial to stay cool however you can: eating popsicles, sitting directly in front of fans, sleeping on your lawn under a sprinkler—you know, whatever works.
6. Tampanians Get Very Spirited About Their Spirits
Let’s just say that the Summer of Rum Festival, its spin-off The Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, and the Bourbon & Brew Festival sell out very fast.
7. They Don’t Call It “Cigar City” For Nothing
Walking around Tampa you’ll notice that the city caters to cigar lovers, with smoking patios and trendy cigar bars, such as Lit.
8. Deviled Crabs Are The Best Things You’ll Ever Eat
You’re not a true Tampanian until you devour one of Aunt Nina’s famous deviled crabs from Brocato’s Sandwich Shop.
9. And Every Cigar Should Be Paired With This Beer
What goes better with a cigar in Tampa than a pint of one of Cigar City Brewing’s beers? But move quickly because one of the favorite seasonals, Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout, is tapped out in a flash.
10. All The Cool Kids Go To Tropical Heatwave
Put on by one of the country’s best independent radio stations, WMNF’s Tropical Heatwave concert and festival is the absolute must-go event of the year.
11. TacoSon Beats Taco Bus Every Day Of The Week
Every Tampanian knows Taco Bus is for the tourists and the top-notch Mexican food comes from TacoSon, where the lunch specials are huge, cheap, and absolutely delicious, especially if you get the homemade salsa.
12. Tampa Cuban Sandwiches Beat The Originals Every Time
That little slice of salami changes a delicious sandwich into something so mind blowing you have to sit down to eat it. Try one out at West Tampa Sandwich Shop.
13. The Hub Is Where Everybody Knows Your Name
The Hub bar should be labeled a historical landmark. It’s been around forever and it’s one place where all the regulars know each other by name.
14. Hurricane Warning = Party Time
A hurricane warning doesn’t mean hunkering down in your emergency bunker with canned goods, it means you have to rush to the store to stock up on party supplies because school and work are officially cancelled!
15. The Tampa Theater Is The Most Beautiful Place To Catch A Movie
While everyone else in the world is stuck in the same boring movie theatre, Tampanians have the stunning Tampa Theater, which makes you feel extra classy when you’re catching the latest blockbuster or indie flick.
16. Jogging Is This City’s Unofficial Sport
Tampa has the longest sidewalk in the country, and you will always, always see people jogging down it with dogs while you wonder how they don’t just pass out from heatstroke.
17. You’ll Wish You Were A Kid Again Just For The Children’s Museum
The Glazer Children’s Museum is outstanding, so much so that you might get jealous of all the little kids climbing their way through the Water’s Journey or captaining a tug boat.
18. UT And USF Have A Kumbaya Relationship
There’s no heated rivalry dividing Tampa because the University of Tampa Spartans and the University of South Florida Bulls don’t play each other in any sports, and so everyone is free to be one big, happy, supportive community that cheers everyone on.
19. Look, It’s Going To Rain. Don’t Panic.
Every summer day it’ll rain between 2 and 6 p.m., but at that point you’ll be thankful for anything that gives you a break from the overbearing heat.
20. On Valentine’s Day, Get A Reservation At Oystercatchers
It’s on the pricier end because have you seen that view from the dining deck?
21. Practically No One Uses The Streetcar
Let’s face it: Cabbing with friends is usually cheaper than taking the streetcar anyway.
22. Sunshine Skyway Is Actually Terrifying
Don’t admit this to any other locals, but Tampa drivers are still pretty scared of Sunshine Skyway, no matter how gorgeous it is.
23. The City Is Not Called Tampa Bay, So Just Stop It
Here’s the deal: Tampa is just part of the Tampa Bay area, which also includes St. Petersburg, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando county. But Tampa is its own singular, unique city. Got it?
24. Eh, Locals Are Kind Of Over Ybor
Well, except for those three places that are awesome and totally worth going to. And yes, those three places vary according to which Tampanian is telling you.
25. Diehard Ray Fans Do Exist
The Rays may not have the largest fan base in the country, but the fans they do have are devoted and actually try their hardest not to shame the bandwagon fans that jump in come playoff time.
26. Tampanians Are Just Yankees In Disguise
Maybe the Rays don’t have the largest fan base because many Tampa locals come from up north in New England and New York. But could you blame them for chasing the warm weather?
27. Everyone Can Get Their Thrills While Staying Cool
With both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island water park in town, locals can get the blood pressure up and cool off too all season.
28. Tampanians Only Go To Bern’s When Relatives Are Visiting
Bern’s Steak House is iconic because it’s so delicious and fancy. But hey, when the parents come they’re paying, right?
29. Shh, Never Tell The Secret Password To Ciro’s
Tampa’s Prohibition-style speakeasy takes its theme seriously, requiring a password to get in. But no way are we letting that secret slip.
30. Believe It Or Not, Hockey Rules In Tampa
It may seem weird, but Lightning hockey has the most rabid fan following of any sport in Tampa, and it’s not just because Tampanians need a place to cool off.
What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Tampa? Tell us in the comments below!
