10 things to know before you visit Lafayette, Louisiana.

In every town there are things only locals know. Lafayette is no exception. We’re a town set in the Deep South yet mixed with languages, customs and traditions from around the world. Some of our eccentricities are rooted in history. Some are just unexplainably Lafayette. Either way, we want you to feel at home, so here’s a short list of the more common local references everyone should know before visiting.

1. We say Laugh•ee•ette, not Lah•fah•yette.
   You’ll likely learn a number of French words during your stay, but in this French-influenced place named after a French general we inexplicably do not use the French pronunciation for Lafayette. No one really knows why, but it’s one way we discern outsiders from locals.
   
   
2. We “get down” all day long, but it’s not about dancing.
   If your Uber driver asks, “Is this where you want to get down?” he’s not talking about dancing (unless he’s taking you to the Blue Moon, then he may mean both). He’s most likely asking if this is where you’d like to be dropped off. In Lafayette and much of the surrounding areas, to “get down” often means to leave your car and enter a destination. The phrase probably dates back to the horse and carriage days when disembarking would have been quite a descent (descendre in French).  
   
   
3. When someone says, “Come see” there may be nothing to actually see.
   The phrase “come see” means the same as “come here,” regardless of whether there’s anything at all to see. Some think it’s a disambiguation of the French word “ici,” which means “here.” Either way, know that a request to “come see” could simply mean that someone wants to talk with you.
   
   
4. Heymann Boulevard is a street. Coolidge Street is a boulevard.
   There are plenty of reasons to visit the Oil Center. Once a petroleum office district, the space is now filled with boutiques and great food fueled by a growing medical presence. But don’t get confused by the two main thoroughfares that seem to be mislabeled. Despite being a block apart, Heymann Boulevard has no grassy boulevard separating lanes of traffic — Coolidge Street does. (Go figure.)
   
   
5. The Southside is not on the south end of town.
   It took a while for me to figure out why so many businesses claiming to be in the “Southside” were geographically in the middle of town. One of Lafayette’s most dramatic economic booms came in the 1970’s, at a time when the southern end of the city (depending on who you ask) generally ended near South College Drive. Today, because the city has grown dramatically, that street is now near the city’s geographic center — but that doesn’t stop many natives from calling the area the Southside. So don’t be surprised if you have to drive north to reach Southside Bakery for a burger and treats.
   
   
6. Listen for a little bit of “dis” and “dat.”
   When you hear that distinctive Cajun accent you’re listening to traces of French that’s several hundred years old. In French there is no soft “th” sound. That’s why one of the most distinctive Cajun-English characteristics is the hard “th” on words such as this, that and there. You’ll hear “dis” and “dat” and “dere” because of the French influence on the language. It’s less common in the city but frequently heard in the smaller neighboring towns where the dialect still thrives.
   
   
7. The best time to talk about your next meal is at this meal.
   Eating is a sport for many of us here in Lafayette. So don’t be surprised if your hosts are planning lunch during breakfast, later reminiscing about breakfast and planning supper during lunch, and lastly pulling tomorrow’s feast from the freezer as a conversation starter for supper.
   
   
8. Festival International is simply known as “Festival” and is an unofficial holiday.
   Downtown Lafayette is home to the world’s largest Francophone (French speaking) music festival … and it’s free! Musical guests from French-speaking countries spanning the globe perform on five stages for five days in downtown to celebrate our vibrant, amazing cultural similarities and the language that connects us. The event attracts several hundred thousand people and effectively shuts off traffic in the heart of the city. So don’t be surprised when you find some businesses closing early for the event and hear locals wishing you, “Happy Festival!” (Festivalinternational.org has the info)
   
   
9. Blend in by wearing red on Fridays.
   The University of Louisiana (Ragin’ Cajuns) sits in the heart of town and many Lafayette natives show support for the home team by wearing red each Friday. Pack a few red shirts in your suitcase and you’ll fit right in.
   
   
10. Boudin can be the cause of heated discussions.
    The Best Stop. Earl’s. Don’s. Johnson’s. These aren’t just names of specialty meat stores, they’re the source of argument around many kitchen tables about which place makes the best boudin (a Cajun sausage made of pork and rice). The Lafayette area is home to several of these markets and each one has its own twist on the recipe. Those differences come out each time boudin is on the table … but I’ve never seen an argument stop anyone from eating it all, no matter where it was made.

​We can’t cover all of the cultural eccentricities you’ll find in Lafayette, but we hope these will help you feel more at home when you’re here.