1. The Person Who Makes The Best Biscuits Wears The Pants In The Relationship
Forget that old idea of whoever makes the most money calls the shots. In NC, if you know how to make a great biscuit, you can basically get away with anything. And if you’re okay with being a cheater or you’re in a pinch, you can always grab a batch of Cheddar Bo biscuits from good ol’ Bojangles.
2. If You Have A Cold, They Might Bring You Moonshine Instead Of Nyquil
When you get hit with a sinus infection, don’t be surprised if your new love hands you a mason jar filled with a liquid smelling of volcanic kerosene and tells you to take a swig. It might sound weird at first, but nothing puts a cold in check quite like it.
3. Don’t Even Bother Trying To Get Their Attention During A College Basketball Game
Life revolves around college sports in NC, so don’t expect anything else to be going on during game day other than the games, especially during the ACC Tournament. And don’t be surprised when things get a little, ahem, heated.
4. The Color Blue You’re Wearing Can Make Or Break Your Relationship
There are rivalries and then there is the war between UNC and Duke. There are two very distinct sides in this battle and you need to pick one: Tar Heels or the Devils. Unless you personally went to Duke, you’re better off sticking with UNC. In other words, lighter shades of blue in your wardrobe only.
5. But Red Is Always A Safe Bet
You might be too intimidated to jump head first into the basketball drama, which is understandable. And luckily, you have the Carolina Hurricanes as an equally awesome but much less intense option. Wear red to show your pride and everyone will back you up… So what if most people only started caring about the Hurricanes after they won the Stanley Cup a few years back?
6. Good Manners Are As Common As Gorgeous Sunsets
This is the South, after all. Expect nothing less than old-fashioned manners and politeness. Of course, this doesn’t come without a fair share of passive aggressiveness to boot, but you win some, you lose some.
7. They’ll Never Put Baby In A Corner
There’s not a girl alive who grew up in the 80s and can’t say that they don’t know every line and every dance move to Dirty Dancing. Scenes for the movie were filmed here at Lake Lure. Rumor even has it that the log Patrick Swayze used to teach Baby how to balance on can still be found at the Highland Lake Inn resort in Flat Rock. Oh, and there’s a Dirty Dancing Festival, too.
8. Don’t Try To Give Them Unsweetened Iced Tea
If you try to give a NC sweetie unsweetened iced tea, they will never be able to trust you ever again. Unsweetened iced tea is completely pointless. If you’re not accustomed to sweet tea, be prepared to discover that there’s no exaggeration in the word sweet.
9. And Get Used To Loving Grits
Another southern staple that you won’t escape in North Carolina are grits. For every meal, in all variations, grits are to North Carolinians what pizza is to New Yorkers.
10. They’ll Teach You Everything There Is To Know About Barbecue
Before you go wondering how much there possibly could be to know about barbecue, just stop. That kind of talk isn’t getting you off on the greatest foot here.
North Carolinians appreciate some good barbecue. But there's a catch: you'd better like the right kind of BBQ, lest you stand to be ostracized from your entire family. There's Eastern style—a vinegar and pepper-based sauce—and there's Lexington style—a sauce with vinegar, ketchup, pepper, and other spices. And it's rare that someone loves both.
11. They’ll Impress You With Their Mix Tapes
Or, if you’re being all 2010’s about it, Spotify playlist. Either way, North Carolinians take their music very seriously and any music to come out of NC is held sacred. Be prepared for a lot of car rides with Ben Folds, James Taylor, Ryan Adams, Little Brother and more as your relationship soundtrack.
12. Prepare For Adventures In The Mountains
Hiking, zip lining, and trail running in the summer; skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Life in the North Carolina mountains is never a dull moment and is also never farther than a short drive away.
13. And Plenty Of Relaxing At The Beach
From the north beaches to the Outer Banks, the beach isn’t just a place you go for recreation in North Carolina. It is part of who you are as a person. People come here from all over the country just to vacation. That means that for thousands of people, their time spent at a NC beach will be the best part of their year.
14. If They Give You Cheerwine, They’re Not Trying To Get You Tipsy
It’s not wine, it’s a syrupy carbonated staple of North Carolina. Other sodas from the area might be more popular, but nothing belongs to the NC quite like Cheerwine.
15. And Don’t Get Offended When They Mention Blowing Rock
It’s never too early in the relationship to want to visit one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Chill.
16. North Carolina, No Candlelight Required
All you need for an evening of romance is your significant other and a clear night, because nothing lights up quite in the same way as North Carolinian skies do. Things get even more magical come the holidays and events like Holiday Flotilla when the fireworks join the stars to create a pretty spectacular show.
17. Bring A Sled… No, Really
You won’t need it for traditional sledding. NC does see some snow, but it’s rarely enough to have legit fun with. The sleds you’ll have are for the sand dunes and you don’t need to dress like the Staypuft Marshmallow Man to enjoy them.
18. If They’re From The Asheville Area, They’ll Most Likely Be A Beer Snob
You’ll find great beer and lots of beer lovers all throughout North Carolina. But the Asheville area has the area covered much more than any other. If you’re dating someone from Asheville, be prepared to get to know everything there is to know about an NC brew.
19. When They Say “All The Way,” Don’t Start Unzipping Just Yet
They just mean that they want their hot dogs or their burgers loaded up.
20. North Carolinians Are The Real Deal
"Esse quam videri" is the state motto. It means “to be rather than to seem” and North Carolinians mean every word of it. So you never have to worry if the person you’re dating is who they say they are. They really are.
Did we miss anything? Tell us the best thing about dating someone from North Carolina in the comments below! 
