1. A “Sandlapper” Is A Local
While the original meaning has been essentially lost over the years, the term “sandlapper” has stuck around as being synonymous with “South Carolinian.” It’s especially common in the coastal areas of this state where there’s actually sand, but you’ll hear it from time to time regardless of where you’re at.
2. The Weather Here Is Something To Brag About
With summer temperatures averaging in the upper 70s and winter temperatures only dropping down to averages in the 50s, there’s not much to complain about when it comes to the weather in South Carolina. With plenty of sunshine and few cold days, meaning the weather rarely gets in the way of your plans here.
However, it is important to mention that as a coastal state,
South Carolina is susceptible to tropical storms, though after years of the locals perfecting their storm preparation and safety response, it’s usually not much to stress about.
3. These Bugs Will Eat You Alive
You’ll only forget bug spray once in South Carolina—after that you’ll keep it within arm’s reach out of fear you’ll turn into one giant itch. The mosquitos are vicious here, huge and found in large swarms known chowing down on any meal they can find. Don’t let yourself become that meal.
4. There’s A Reason For All That Orange
While there aren’t any major professional teams headquartered in the Palmetto State, South Carolinians get their fix elsewhere. Some of the most popular local teams come from the Clemson Tigers athletic program. Nestled near the Tennessee border, the rivalry games in this town are truly electric.
5. But People Are Cheering For The Gamecocks, Too
At home in the state capital, Columbia, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks get as much love as the Tigers, if not more at times. Named after an animal known for its fighting abilities, “We Hail Thee Carolina” always rings out proudly from the stadium on these game days here.
6. That’s Mustard You’re Tasting In Your Barbecue
While most places around the country tend to feature ketchup or vinegar as a key component in their barbecue sauces, South Carolina is all about the mustard. It gives it a tangier flavor that makes the barbecue sauces here some of the best and most unique in America.
7. Watch Out For The Wildlife
Residents of South Carolina share their state with over 100,000 alligators. Usually they’re not too aggressive, but if you bother them, don’t be surprised if they bite back. The general rule is to avoid them and if you end up finding one, slowly walk away.
8. Those Things You Keep Seeing Are Called Palmettos
Think palm tree minus the part about it always being a tree. This family of plants can be found all around South Carolina, varying in size and shape but with very recognizable fan leaves.
The large number of palmettos present in the local area is why South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State and why there’s a silhouette of one on the state flag.
9. The Grits Here Will Knock Your Socks Off
Unless someone is from the South, there’s a good chance they’re not too familiar with one of the most popular South Carolina breakfast dishes, grits. They look a little like oatmeal, but they taste completely different, made with ground corn and often topped with cheese. And oh my god are they delicious.
10. Take Advantage Of Every Seafood Boil You Find
One huge perk of living in South Carolina is the awesome amount of local seafood that’s available, especially in the wetter areas. One of the most popular ways it gets served up in this state is in the form of Frogmore stew. Don’t worry, there are no frogs in this regional favorite, typically just a mix of crawfish, corn, and sausage.
11. South Carolina Is A Great Bang For Your Buck
As a whole, South Carolina is inexpensive, largely due to the housing market, scoring a 95 on the same cost of living index that puts average America at 100. Even bigger cities like Columbia score a reasonable 98. Unless you’re moving to the Charleston area, you’ll have no problem saving a little extra money here.
12. These Nuts Are Addictive
While the rest of the country is snacking on boring bags of trail mix, South Carolinians found a way to spruce up the standard peanut—by boiling it in salty water. If you want to try to best, stop at one of the many roadside stands in the rural areas and grab a bag.
13. If You’re Looking For Booze, Find A Red Dot
A local tradition that isn’t really found elsewhere in the country, liquor stores are marked with a red dot. This makes them easy to spot when you’re making that last minute beer run for that party you forgot you were hosting.
14. Getting Around Here Is A Cinch
When it comes to the average commute in South Carolina, getting around is a breeze. Even big cities like Columbia and Charleston only have commute times of 17 and 21 minutes, respectively. With not too many people and a large portion of the population living in small towns, there’s never too much traffic.
However, be warned that in the rare chance of snow fall, people tend to freak out and all bets when it comes to traffic are off.
15. South Carolina Is A Safe Place To Call Home
Crime rates vary around South Carolina depending on where you’re at, with the state average right around what you’d expect to see on a national scale across America. Certain places like Charleston are much safer, with only 2,691 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents, while cities like Columbia are a little more dangerous with crimes being reported at 2.5 times that rate.
However, when all is said and done, South Carolina is a pretty safe place to live, made up of mostly small towns and rural areas.
16. Big Cities Attract Big Business Here
While statewide unemployment level of 6.8 percent is a little higher than the national average of 6 percent, certain areas like Charleston are notable for their great job markets, boasting an unemployment level of only 5.4 percent.
This lower number has been the result of new companies moving to the state and the Charleston area as the industry has slowly switched from agriculture to something much more diversified in recent years, with especially notable growth in the technology sector.
17. That Spooky Moss Is Normal
It’s called Spanish moss and it can be seen hanging down from tree branches all around the state. It tends to give certain areas quite the eerie vibe, but to South Carolinians, it’s just a reminder that they’re home.
18. Hot Sauce Should Be The State Condiment
People in South Carolina love adding a flavorful heat to most of their dishes, whether it’s deep-fried cornbread balls, also known as hush puppies, or a breakfast plate full of eggs. There are tons of local brands and they all have their own unique flavor, giving residents here the perfect excuse to spice up their life on a daily basis.
19. Sweet Tea Is Just “Tea” In South Carolina
With so many hot days in this state, it’s no surprise that the locals in South Carolina prefer their tea ice cold, loaded with sugar, and often with a hint of lemon. If you order tea while you’re out, this is usually what comes standard. If you’re looking for the hot variety of this drink, you might have to make it yourself around here.
20. You’ll Instantly Gain “Sir” Or “Ma’am” Status
In South Carolina these phrases aren’t always a nod to someone’s age, it’s really just the way people get greeted around here. Don’t think that someone’s saying you look old if you hear a “sir” or “ma’am” thrown in your direction, they’re just trying to be polite.
21. The People Eat “Supper” Here
Something that almost sounds like a joke to some Americans, in South Carolina, lunch gets called dinner and dinner gets called supper. It takes a little while to get the hang of, but if you move to the Palmetto State, you’ll start using this phrase in no time.
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