The 15 things Miamians ignore that no one else would

The warm weather and fabulous beaches are reasons enough to love Miami—and also why we overlook things like perpetual traffic jams and daily rain showers. Locals even find these things charming. If braking for peacocks and foregoing all driving decorum feels normal to you, consider yourself a local. You’ve lived in Miami long enough to ignore this list of absurd city behavior only a true Miamian would disregard.

1. Greeting everyone with a kiss on the cheek—even strangers

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Claire

2. Being called “mami” or “papi”

 

#Repost @lady__d with @repostapp. ・・・ Oye Mami 👌🏼 #Miami #wynwood #saturdaze #justgoshoot #vscocam #latepost #miamiphotoshoot

A photo posted by Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez (@rodridesigns) on Aug 18, 2015 at 6:02am PDT

3. Turn signals—using them, respecting them, remembering to turn them off

Photograph: Shutterstock

4. Store employees and servers greeting you in Spanish 

5. Women in curlers and/or muumuus on the street

6. Shopping carts on the sidewalk

7. Saints and religious statues as lawn ornaments and home décor

 

Only in Miami.... Large scale saint decor. Lol

A photo posted by SWOLEDAD, Women's Physique NPC (@caridad_sola) on Sep 23, 2012 at 11:30pm PDT

8. Daily thunderstorms

Yes it's raining. That doesn't mean I have to wear glasses and a helmet though, does it? #onlyinmiami pic.twitter.com/jeFVV4vy8o

— Miami Beach 411 (@MiamiBeach411) January 22, 2016

#Miami #rain #weather #Miamirain pic.twitter.com/iHkTtZT38U

— Rodney (@DJTriumph) May 20, 2016

9. Mandatory coffee breaks

ok☕️ #onlyinmiami pic.twitter.com/vKI45wI08r

— . (@areyouevenhuman) February 25, 2016

10. Peacocks and roosters roaming the streets

So why DID the chicken cross the road? #onlyinmiami #mehueleasanteria pic.twitter.com/9E10rgV0j6

— Betty Alonso (@bettyalonso_) August 18, 2015

11. “Keep off grass” signs

12. Traffic

Photograph: Shutterstock

13. Being on time

14. Shopping for produce from the back of a guy’s car

15. “Eating shit” as an acceptable response to “What are you doing?”

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