What's It Like To Live In Dallas, Texas? 51 Things Only A True Dallasite Understands

Whenever someone mentions "The Big D," my ears perk up. If you're from Dallas, too, you know why — and really, what other U.S. city could people be referring to? This is one special city.

Sure, Dallasites love to run or bike Katy Trail, enjoy all the shops and restaurants Uptown, and even partake in the more popular attractions in Dallas like the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Things can get downright rowdy when the Texas-OU Red River Rivalry rolls into town and takes over the State Fair of Texas, which happens to be the largest in the nation.

But tourist attractions aside, there's a lot more to living here. Whether we're dealing with a stifling heat or explaining that not everyone in Dallas owns livestock, there are several things that only a true Dallasite can understand. There are endless ways to spot an authentic Dallasite from a mile away — and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with common Dallas stereotypes that have everyone convinced we wear cowboy gear every day and are all experienced ranch hands.

Here are just a few tips to quickly determine whether someone's a real live homegrown citizen of Dallas — or merely an impostor. Because after all, there are some things only we true Dallasites can understand.

YOU worry MOST PEOPLE ONLY associate DALLAS with JFK'S ASSASSINATION...

AND AS THE CITY WHERE GEORGE BUSH SPENDS HIS DOWNTIME

But you know better. There's SO much more to Dallas

like, you know that BONNIE AND CLYDE HAve DALLAS ROOTS

The infamous gun-slinging couple first met in Dallas, where Bonnie Parker worked at a number of local cafés, including Hargraves, which is still standing.

and that they are both buried in Dallas

you know about THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT INSIDE REUNION TOWER

Some people call it the "big ball," and you love when the lights on the ball change colors during the holidays.

and YOU REFER TO THE BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA AS THE "GREEN BUILDING"

Because, duh, it's green.

but YOU'RE NOT TOO KEEN ON OUR new, FANCY BRIDGE

Meh, hopefully it'll grow on you.

YOU KNOW THE RED BRICK BUILDING WAS ONCE AN ACTUAL COURTHOUSE

Even though it looks like an old castle. Now it's The Old Red Museum.

YOU ALREADY KNOW DALLAS SUMMERS FEEL LIKE THE INSIDE OF AN OVEN...

but you still complain every year like its your first summer here.

EVERY TORNADO SEASON, YOU'RE INSPIRED TO BECOME A STORM CHASER...

until you quickly come to your senses.

FORGET THE CALENDAR — YOU KNOW SUMMER LASTS 'TIL OCTOBER

BBQ and tank tops in October, FTW.

YOU'RE SHOCKED WHEN DALLAS CANCELS SCHOOL FOR A SNOW/ICE DAY

It rarely happens. If you grew up here, you harbored deep resentment for kids who got away with murder in the snow and ice while you went to school.

YOU'VE POSED IN FRONT OF BIG TEX AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

AND SILENTLY MOURNED HIS TEMPORARY DEATH WHEN HE CAUGHT FIRE

Fortunately, he's back, but there's nothing like the original.

YOU'VE STOOD IN A LONG-ASS LINE TO BUY A TURKEY LEG AT THE STATE FAIR

BUT YOU ALSO TRIED AT LEAST ONE OF THE LATEST FRIED CONCOCTIONS

Like this fried peanut butter, jelly, and banana sandwich.

OKay, MAYBE YOU TRIED A COUPLE. WHO COULD RESIST FRIED CHICKEN & DUMPLINS?

YOU MIGHT'VE SHED A TEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED:

You remember the good old days when the Cowboys played there, or when the Mavericks played at Reunion Arena.

YOU KNOW that THE DALLAS COWBOYS REALLY PLAY IN ARLINGTON

Which is located in another county.

YOU SLACKED AT WORK DURING THE MAVERICKS CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE

Or you skipped work altogether to see it in person.

YOU KNOW that THE TERM "HIGH FIVE" HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR HANDS

IT ACTUALLY REFERS TO THIS CRAZY FREEWAY INTERSECTION

Courtesy of North Dallas.

YOU'VE SEEN A LIVE BAND PLAY IN DEEP ELLUM AND ON LOWER GREENVILLE

You've also seen a bunch of drunk people down there. Or someone getting their car towed. Probably both.

YOU (rightly) REFUSE TO SHARE YOUR BASKET OF SNUFFER’S CHEDDAR FRIEs

They are a rite of passage to Dallas. Touch this plate and draw back a nub. Seriously, get your own.

and the same goes for a hamburger from The Angry Dog

YOU KNOW BETTER THAN TO VISIT EATZI'S ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Because you'll be tempted to instantly devour everything the gourmet supermarket has to offer.

YOU KNOW THERE'S NO EXCUSE NOT TO EAT AT SONNY BRYAN'S BBQ

This finger-lickin' BBQ restaurant opened more than a century ago, and has since opened locations all over the metroplex and even in Utah.

YOU'VE NEVER VISITED SOUTHFORK RANCH, WHERE DALLAS WAS FILMED

Because that's for tourists.

YOU KNOW LAKE RAY HUBBARD IS THE CLOSEST THING WE HAVE TO AN OCEAN

In addition to Dallas, it also occupies three other counties.

YOU think DALLAS AND Fort WORTH MAY AS WELL BE IN SEPARATE GALAXIES

Despite the fact that they're only 30 miles apart and share an airport.

SPEAKING OF AIRPORTS, YOU'VE TOTALLY GOTTEN LOST AT D/FW AIRPORT

YOU KNOW THAT NOT EVERY DALLASITE DRESSES IN FULL COWBOY GARB

Even though you think cowboy boots are stylish

You probably own a pair.

YOU SAY "Y'ALL" AND EXPECT EVERYONE ELSE TO DO THE SAME

YOU WANT TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE WHO CALL DALLAS DRIVERS THE WORST...

but then immediately back down because you know it's true.

You've gone ice skating at the galleria

YOU'RE FLATTERED WHEN SOMEONE ACKNOWLEDGES A FAMOUS DALLASITE

Even when everyone was pissed at Erykah Badu for stripping at Dealey Plaza, you were happy that Dallas was at least receiving some national attention.

like, YOU love THAT OWEN WILSON IS FROM DALLAS

but YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT CHRIS BOSH...

Particularly because he plays ball for the Miami Heat.

YOU'RE EQUALLY INDIFFERENT about VANILLA ICE

because, well...

BUT it is pretty awesome THAT ANGIE HARMON IS A DALLASITE

you feel that, LIKE DENNIS RODMAN, COMMON DALLAS STEREOTYPES DON'T APPLY TO YOU

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY you COUNT BARNEY AS A DALLAS NATIVE

Don't judge us.

obviously, YOU just KNOW that DALLAS IS WAY BETTER THAN any OTHER CITY IN TEXAS

and most of all, you know this much is true:

You're proud to call Dallas home

Gotta love this town.

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