Ah, South Carolina—the Palmetto State, where the tea is sweet, the summers are sweaty, and the phrase “bless your heart” can mean anything from “I adore you” to “you absolute fool.” With beaches on one end, BBQ on the other, and humidity binding it all together like Southern glue, life here is a beautiful mix of charm, chaos, and complaints. If you haven’t muttered about at least half of these South Carolina specifics—probably while stuck in beach traffic or dodging a swarm of gnats—are you even from here?
Humidity That Hits Like a Wet Blanket From Satan
It’s not the heat—it’s the soul-stealing moisture that lives in your armpits for nine months a year.
Tourists Flocking to the Beach Like It’s the Last Sand on Earth
Myrtle Beach in July? Hope you enjoy traffic, sunburn, and 85 people in one hotel pool.
Gnats That Treat Bug Spray Like Seasoning
No-see-ums? More like feel-every-bite-ums.
Out-of-Staters Mispronouncing “Beaufort” and “Edisto”
It’s BYOO-furt and ED-uh-stow. Get it wrong, and a local will correct you with a smile and judgment in their eyes.
The Ongoing BBQ Civil War: Mustard vs. Vinegar vs. Tomato-Based
Pick a side, pick a sauce, and prepare to lose friends and possibly relatives over it.
The State Flag Being on Literally Everything
Palmetto moons on shirts, tattoos, trucks, crocs, wedding cakes—you name it, we’ve slapped a palmetto on it.
Snow Causing Absolute Widespread Panic
One flurry and suddenly schools close, stores are out of bread, and people are driving like it’s the apocalypse.
Fire Ants Having Zero Chill
Step in one mound and you’ll be itching for a week and questioning your will to live.
Road Construction That Moves at the Speed of Sweet Molasses
“Improving since 2014” means “we forgot it existed until you hit a cone.”
Drivers Who Treat Roundabouts Like NASCAR Tracks
Yield? Signal? Nah—we’re all just vibing in a circle.
The Outrageously Bipolar Weather
Freezing in the morning, sweating by noon, thunderstorm at 4. Welcome to February.
Having to Explain the Difference Between South and North Carolina
No, we are not the same. Yes, ours is better. No, you may not argue.
Sure, we South Carolinians love to complain—about bugs, tourists, and which BBQ reigns supreme—but it’s all part of the Palmetto pride. Underneath all that Southern sarcasm and sweat is a whole lot of love for this quirky, beautiful, and slightly too humid state. Complaining here is just our way of saying: “We love it, y’all. We just don’t always like it.”
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