You know you are from Memphis when......

Beale street is what you look forward to when you turn 21.

You think it's stylish to put spinners on an '81 Buick Skylark

You've had to explain to an out of towner while driving down I-40 that
Bellevue Baptist is not an airport.

All directions start with, "Go down I-240..."

It's impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street you
started on. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a "scenic drive."

The 8 a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The 5:00 p.m. rush
hour is from 3:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday's rush hour starts Thursday
morning.

"Sir" and "Ma'am" are used by the person speaking to you if there's a
remote possibility that you're at least 30 minutes older than they are.

"Sugar" is a more common form of address than "Miss." So is "Honey,"
And don't be offended; it is used by both sexes.

The falling of one raindrop causes all traffic to immediately come to
a screeching halt. So will Daylight Savings Time, a girl applying eye
shadow across the street, or a flat tire three lanes over. Should (God forbid) one snowflake fall in Memphis, all drivers on the roads immediately lose any ability to control a car. Or, if in a pickup truck or SUV, they will drive as though the roads are dry.

Nonconnah Parkway (TN-385) is the southern equivalent of the Autobahn. You will rarely see a semi on Nonconnah Parkway, because the truck drivers are intimidated by the oversized SUV-wielding housewives racing home after a grueling day at the salon or the tennis match, to meet their children at the school bus

Pedestrians in Memphis have the right-of-way.... but it is a driver's
duty to take out the pedestrian when crossing the street.

You understand what Makin Easy Money Pimpin Hoes In Style really
stands for.

You remember the days of Adventure River, and Wet Wild Water and
Wheels

At least 3 of your friends have been to Lakeside

You survived the Ice Storm of '94

A typical set of Midtown directions may include, "take North Parkway
east until you reach East Parkway, then take East Parkway south until you
reach South Parkway, then take South Parkway west until you reach...

Even though it is the largest indoor arena in the region, there is no
easyway to reach The Pyramid. You must drive under a series of interstate off-ramps and through the back of a concrete company in order to park. Once you reach the building, you must climb up dozens of steps, even if your seats are at floor level, which means you will be climbing back DOWN dozens of steps after entering the arena

Radio rap is not real rap.

Three Six Mafia, Project Pat, Frayser Boy, Lil Wyte is real rap.

You know what real Barbecue is.

You know what Smith 7 is.

You are scared of Germantown Cops

There is an intersection of two streets near Midtown. The "two"
streets are Summer Avenue, North Parkway, Trezevant Blvd., and East Parkway. Again, names change at random. This situation (two intersecting streets with four names) is not atypical. It is common knowledge that Memphis was laid out by a drunk on a crippled horse.

You're proud of the number one violent crime rate memphis holds.
Because that means you survived living in Memphis.

you remember when construction on the main library had to stop for
about 4 years because the architects didn't take into account the weight of the books.

Our tap water is like your evian.

The weather doesnt go with the season

You just call the Mississippi "The River."

You didn't know that the Old Bridge and the New Bridge had names.

All year long you look forward to May... because Musicfest is in May

youve had to switch the thermostat from heat to airconditioning in the
same day

you can say "Take Poplar" and get anywhere from anywhere.

you know you can make it anywhere in memphis in "about 15 minutes"

201 poplar is one place you dont want to visit

you have met one of the members in Three Six Mafia on the street

everyone hates the mayor, yet somehow, we are still under the reign
of King Willy

you only have to drive 20 minutes to see the set of "Hustle & Flow"

everybody thinks they are from the hood

You know what VooDoo Village is.. Double points if you've actually
been to VooDoo Village.. Triple points if a bus rolled out in front of you.

You've never been to Graceland.

When you wait in line for 30 mins for Fast Food

Remember the Mall of Murder

if you call Wolf Chase "the old mall" and The Avenue Crossing "the
new mall".


Anybody have anything to add?

Hah...grew up five minutes from Voodoo Village. I never saw the bus though. lol

Brilliant!!!

Except, what is "Smith 7"?

Now this is one post definitely worth reading... excellent.

Although now I'm scared of voodoo village again.

I took Driver's Ed at Craigmont HS, and we drove to Voodoo Village with our driver's ed teacher riding shotgun.!

Quote:The 8 a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The 5:00 p.m. rush
hour is from 3:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday's rush hour starts Thursday
morning.

I still laugh when people in Memphis complain about traffic. I realized I hadn't experienced real traffic until I moved to Virginia and had to drive around DC and the Tidewater area. Many days Denver is not much better than DC.

Bill83 Wrote:Brilliant!!!

Except, what is "Smith 7"?

thats the only one that had me stumped.




some need updateing though...

Quote:you know you can make it anywhere in memphis in "about 15 minutes"

Quote:you only have to drive 20 minutes to see the set of "Hustle & Flow"

no comment other then, it now takes longer then 15 minutes to get anywhere.


you also know you're IN Memphis when you can drive through Arkansas and all slow drivers stay or move in the right hand lane, but as soon as you reach Memphis, all slow dravers move to the lft lane, INCLUDING those from Arkansas!

oh man...do I have memories of Voodoo Village when I was a teenager.....that always scared the pee out of me ! One of the last trips there (many moons ago) I was scrunched up in the floorboard of the car as we drove through :sorry:

you drive down Getwell Rd. and wonder why it is named as such?

Drove to Voodoo Village...it was part of the driver's initiation at our high school.

So was Callis' Cutoff with your headlights off.

UofMTigers1 Wrote:You know you are from Memphis when......

Beale street is what you look forward to when you turn 21.

You think it's stylish to put spinners on an '81 Buick Skylark

You've had to explain to an out of towner while driving down I-40 that
Bellevue Baptist is not an airport.

All directions start with, "Go down I-240..."

It's impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street you
started on. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a "scenic drive."

The 8 a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The 5:00 p.m. rush
hour is from 3:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday's rush hour starts Thursday
morning.

"Sir" and "Ma'am" are used by the person speaking to you if there's a
remote possibility that you're at least 30 minutes older than they are.

"Sugar" is a more common form of address than "Miss." So is "Honey,"
And don't be offended; it is used by both sexes.

The falling of one raindrop causes all traffic to immediately come to
a screeching halt. So will Daylight Savings Time, a girl applying eye
shadow across the street, or a flat tire three lanes over. Should (God forbid) one snowflake fall in Memphis, all drivers on the roads immediately lose any ability to control a car. Or, if in a pickup truck or SUV, they will drive as though the roads are dry.

Nonconnah Parkway (TN-385) is the southern equivalent of the Autobahn. You will rarely see a semi on Nonconnah Parkway, because the truck drivers are intimidated by the oversized SUV-wielding housewives racing home after a grueling day at the salon or the tennis match, to meet their children at the school bus

Pedestrians in Memphis have the right-of-way.... but it is a driver's
duty to take out the pedestrian when crossing the street.

You understand what Makin Easy Money Pimpin Hoes In Style really
stands for.

You remember the days of Adventure River, and Wet Wild Water and
Wheels

At least 3 of your friends have been to Lakeside

You survived the Ice Storm of '94

A typical set of Midtown directions may include, "take North Parkway
east until you reach East Parkway, then take East Parkway south until you
reach South Parkway, then take South Parkway west until you reach...

Even though it is the largest indoor arena in the region, there is no
easyway to reach The Pyramid. You must drive under a series of interstate off-ramps and through the back of a concrete company in order to park. Once you reach the building, you must climb up dozens of steps, even if your seats are at floor level, which means you will be climbing back DOWN dozens of steps after entering the arena

Radio rap is not real rap.

Three Six Mafia, Project Pat, Frayser Boy, Lil Wyte is real rap.

You know what real Barbecue is.

You know what Smith 7 is.

You are scared of Germantown Cops

There is an intersection of two streets near Midtown. The "two"
streets are Summer Avenue, North Parkway, Trezevant Blvd., and East Parkway. Again, names change at random. This situation (two intersecting streets with four names) is not atypical. It is common knowledge that Memphis was laid out by a drunk on a crippled horse.

You're proud of the number one violent crime rate memphis holds.
Because that means you survived living in Memphis.

you remember when construction on the main library had to stop for
about 4 years because the architects didn't take into account the weight of the books.

Our tap water is like your evian.

The weather doesnt go with the season

You just call the Mississippi "The River."

You didn't know that the Old Bridge and the New Bridge had names.

All year long you look forward to May... because Musicfest is in May

youve had to switch the thermostat from heat to airconditioning in the
same day

you can say "Take Poplar" and get anywhere from anywhere.

you know you can make it anywhere in memphis in "about 15 minutes"

201 poplar is one place you dont want to visit

you have met one of the members in Three Six Mafia on the street

everyone hates the mayor, yet somehow, we are still under the reign
of King Willy

you only have to drive 20 minutes to see the set of "Hustle & Flow"

everybody thinks they are from the hood

You know what VooDoo Village is.. Double points if you've actually
been to VooDoo Village.. Triple points if a bus rolled out in front of you.

You've never been to Graceland.

When you wait in line for 30 mins for Fast Food

Remember the Mall of Murder

if you call Wolf Chase "the old mall" and The Avenue Crossing "the
new mall".


Anybody have anything to add?

A few more:

You survived Hurricane Elvis, & met all your neighbors because of it.

You remember when the Mall of Murder WASN'T the Mall of Murder, & even ice skated there.

You remember Maywood - "the beach within reach."

You avoid downtown the first weekend in May because of Musicfest, but practically move into Tom Lee Park the third weekend because of BBQ Fest.

k2tigers Wrote:you drive down Getwell Rd. and wonder why it is named as such?

Because it was originally named Shotwell when they put the VA hospital on it, they felt they should rename the street.

k2tigers Wrote:you drive down Getwell Rd. and wonder why it is named as such?

was originally named Shotwell, but changed the name because the VA was located there.

SMUTiger Wrote:

k2tigers Wrote:you drive down Getwell Rd. and wonder why it is named as such?

Because it was originally named Shotwell when they put the VA hospital on it, they felt they should rename the street.

damn you. beat me to it

tigergreen Wrote:

UofMTigers1 Wrote:You know you are from Memphis when......

Beale street is what you look forward to when you turn 21.

You think it's stylish to put spinners on an '81 Buick Skylark

You've had to explain to an out of towner while driving down I-40 that
Bellevue Baptist is not an airport.

All directions start with, "Go down I-240..."

It's impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street you
started on. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a "scenic drive."

The 8 a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The 5:00 p.m. rush
hour is from 3:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday's rush hour starts Thursday
morning.

"Sir" and "Ma'am" are used by the person speaking to you if there's a
remote possibility that you're at least 30 minutes older than they are.

"Sugar" is a more common form of address than "Miss." So is "Honey,"
And don't be offended; it is used by both sexes.

The falling of one raindrop causes all traffic to immediately come to
a screeching halt. So will Daylight Savings Time, a girl applying eye
shadow across the street, or a flat tire three lanes over. Should (God forbid) one snowflake fall in Memphis, all drivers on the roads immediately lose any ability to control a car. Or, if in a pickup truck or SUV, they will drive as though the roads are dry.

Nonconnah Parkway (TN-385) is the southern equivalent of the Autobahn. You will rarely see a semi on Nonconnah Parkway, because the truck drivers are intimidated by the oversized SUV-wielding housewives racing home after a grueling day at the salon or the tennis match, to meet their children at the school bus

Pedestrians in Memphis have the right-of-way.... but it is a driver's
duty to take out the pedestrian when crossing the street.

You understand what Makin Easy Money Pimpin Hoes In Style really
stands for.

You remember the days of Adventure River, and Wet Wild Water and
Wheels

At least 3 of your friends have been to Lakeside

You survived the Ice Storm of '94

A typical set of Midtown directions may include, "take North Parkway
east until you reach East Parkway, then take East Parkway south until you
reach South Parkway, then take South Parkway west until you reach...

Even though it is the largest indoor arena in the region, there is no
easyway to reach The Pyramid. You must drive under a series of interstate off-ramps and through the back of a concrete company in order to park. Once you reach the building, you must climb up dozens of steps, even if your seats are at floor level, which means you will be climbing back DOWN dozens of steps after entering the arena

Radio rap is not real rap.

Three Six Mafia, Project Pat, Frayser Boy, Lil Wyte is real rap.

You know what real Barbecue is.

You know what Smith 7 is.

You are scared of Germantown Cops

There is an intersection of two streets near Midtown. The "two"
streets are Summer Avenue, North Parkway, Trezevant Blvd., and East Parkway. Again, names change at random. This situation (two intersecting streets with four names) is not atypical. It is common knowledge that Memphis was laid out by a drunk on a crippled horse.

You're proud of the number one violent crime rate memphis holds.
Because that means you survived living in Memphis.

you remember when construction on the main library had to stop for
about 4 years because the architects didn't take into account the weight of the books.

Our tap water is like your evian.

The weather doesnt go with the season

You just call the Mississippi "The River."

You didn't know that the Old Bridge and the New Bridge had names.

All year long you look forward to May... because Musicfest is in May

youve had to switch the thermostat from heat to airconditioning in the
same day

you can say "Take Poplar" and get anywhere from anywhere.

you know you can make it anywhere in memphis in "about 15 minutes"

201 poplar is one place you dont want to visit

you have met one of the members in Three Six Mafia on the street

everyone hates the mayor, yet somehow, we are still under the reign
of King Willy

you only have to drive 20 minutes to see the set of "Hustle & Flow"

everybody thinks they are from the hood

You know what VooDoo Village is.. Double points if you've actually
been to VooDoo Village.. Triple points if a bus rolled out in front of you.

You've never been to Graceland.

When you wait in line for 30 mins for Fast Food

Remember the Mall of Murder

if you call Wolf Chase "the old mall" and The Avenue Crossing "the
new mall".


Anybody have anything to add?

A few more:

You survived Hurricane Elvis, & met all your neighbors because of it.

You remember when the Mall of Murder WASN'T the Mall of Murder, & even ice skated there.

You remember Maywood - "the beach within reach."

You avoid downtown the first weekend in May because of Musicfest, but practically move into Tom Lee Park the third weekend because of BBQ Fest.

I actually grew up in Maywood. Moved there when I was 1 year old and lived there till I went to college and then moved back there for a short time after I got married. The guy that owned Maywood is a very close friend. Now, you talk about memories.....I could write a book about Maywood......if anyone remembers Maywood in a fond way I advise against ever going back there to see what has happened to it...it will make you cry.

UofMTigers1 Wrote:You know you are from Memphis when......

..you personally had one or more encounters with Burma Hobbs coming or going the 'back way' to Desoto County for beer.

oldmangrizz Wrote:

UofMTigers1 Wrote:You know you are from Memphis when......

..you personally had one or more encounters with Burma Hobbs coming or going the 'back way' to Desoto County for beer.

omg...now that's a name from the past...was that guy in Southaven ?

SMUTiger Wrote:

k2tigers Wrote:you drive down Getwell Rd. and wonder why it is named as such?

Because it was originally named Shotwell when they put the VA hospital on it, they felt they should rename the street.

thanks, I knew that. I was trying to imply that the original name fits the street more than its current name.

How about these?

...you remember who Sivad is.

...you listened to Rick Dees and his cast of idiots on WHBQ-56am.

...you can remember EXACTLY where you were and what you were doing around 300pm on August 16, 1977.

missjtiger Wrote:

oldmangrizz Wrote:

UofMTigers1 Wrote:You know you are from Memphis when......

..you personally had one or more encounters with Burma Hobbs coming or going the 'back way' to Desoto County for beer.

omg...now that's a name from the past...was that guy in Southaven ?

He was the Desoto County Constable, probably around the late 50's to early 70's. I could be off on the dates, but he was notorious for interupting beer runs. Believe me, Barney Fife had nothing on Burma. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the character Don Knotts used for inspiration.