My ultimate goal is to spark laughter and joy in your world! If I can do that, my heart sings! 😄
Now... My name is André, and as a European (Portuguese), I always strive to bring a unique perspective to the topics I tackle. All my reaction videos are designed with a playful and entertaining twist!
Hiya… I have lived in NOLA, about 13 years now. :) - ask for “go cups,” when you take a drink with you. - dont pee in public, we call that smell/nastyness in the streets “gutter butter.” Thats just funny he had to say that. - DO not pick up beads off the ground. Like a flag, they hit the ground… bad juju. LEAVE em. - museum is wild. Totally worth it. But will take more than a day to do right. -hand grenades are gross. Go for a frozen irish coffee. - the french quarter is just a historic neighborhood in the city. Garden district is worth a walking trip as well. Take the street car or topless bus. (TX is fun, but check out seeona az and nm for a desert trip.) - hes lying, its always HOT here haha. after Halloween it cools off. - stay on the westbank of the river (algiers / grenta) if you wanna save money. - never rent a pickup truck here, 100% will get busted into. - the crime here IS HORRID. Always keep your head on a swivel and keep your witts about you. - don’t interact with the crusty kids or anyone who holers at you. And the got dem shoes, is old, theres a few new ones. Just dont engauge when they talk to you. Its a trap no matter what. We can tell when your not a local. Y’all STAND OUT. - our humidty is nuts… 110 degrees and 90% humidty.. you nuts if you visit in summer. Its a fall city. - its true, there is guided tours ALL year. - dont be a dick, be nice or leave. - Tip tip tip tip…. Hes right. So many peeps DONT tip or tip like crap. - hes right on allot of that stuff. But some of its dated info.
Yes, I live here. As for his points: 1. We don't really care that much how you pronounce it so long as it doesn't sound like you're forcing the pronunciation. With your accent especially we'll just roll with it. 2. Yes, you can walk around with a drink. However, we do ask that you get a to go cup; don't walk around drinking from a glass bottle (edit: he gets to that, ok, cool). As for the drink names; hurricane is a cocktail, hand grenade is a tourist thing. Yes, we like our drinks here. 3. Should have just been part of #2, And they are called "to go cups." (Dude is sounding more and more like a tourist) 4.I know the "don't pee in public" one should be obvious, but we don't have public restrooms. It is easy to find yourself needing to go when stuck in a place with no stores with restrooms open to the public. Remember to go while you're still in the bar. 5. He is dead wrong about this; boobs for beads is a time-honored tradition. (he is right that you don't do it outside the Quarter) In fact, what he is advising is the exact OPPOSITE of NOLA etiquette: DON'T BUY BEADS!!! (unless you will be throwing them in a parade) The point of beads is that you catch them; that is the whole value of them, that you received them from someone else. Buying beads instead of catching them is cringey tourist BS. 6. This is like saying "don't think Vegas is just the strip." Of course there is more to New Orleans than the FQ, that was just where the city started and grew from. However, the Quarter is convenient in that we can keep the tourists there and not deal with y'all gawking around like tourists everywhere else. The rest of the city is where we live, and we don't need tourist shenanigans in our neighborhoods. I'm not saying don't catch a ride on the streetcar and go elsewhere, but if you do then check that tourist shit when you leave the Quarter. Get your look around, enjoy yourself in a respectful manner, don't get in the way of the rest of us just living our lives, and try not to get mugged or murdered walking into a bad part of town. The stuff he's listing you can find in any list of tourist things to do around town; his neckbeard explanation isn't adding anything. Maybe if he would go there himself but as is his video so far is entirely unnecessary. Your question is a perfect illustration of how this guy's video is worthless. The "French Quarter" or "Vieux Carre" is basically the oldest most historic part of the city. It is the area originally mapped/planned out and settled by the French in the late 17th (planning) and early 18th (settling/building) centuries by the French, after whom it got its name. Most of the architecture that you will see there is not French as the city had fires that burn down large sections of it. Also, for a good portion of our history New Orleans was actually ruled by the Spanish and I'm not sure but there might be more architecture remaining from the Spanish period as there is from the French. That said, for the most part what you will find there, including the stereotypical cast iron balconies and galleries is from the early 19th century (1800s) after the Louisiana Purchase at which point it had became a part of the US. So no, it did not get that name because of the architecture but because it was generally the part of town where the descendants of the French and Spanish inhabitants remained (and later where the Italian immigrants tended to settle) while the Americans, English, Germans, and Irish tended to settle in the areas that would later get known as "Uptown" (At the timeit was a separate town called "Lafayette" which is now the Uptown neighborhood known as the Garden District. To answer your question about places to go, NY makes sense, especially if you are flying in through there. I'm not 100% sure we are a good choice here in New Orleans; don't get ne wrong, the city is great and only survives because of tourist money, but as a result of that we kinda became a bit of a mess after everything shut down for the pandemic and nobody was traveling. By American standards we are a poor city and have a very high crime rate. That said, Texas sucks. Don't go to Texas. I'd put New Orleans over anywhere in Texas. Honestly, I would suggest seeing the West Coast. I've lived out here over a decade but have a real love for California. 7.This just feels like a part of what he said with 6, though he might have more of a point. *DO* stay in the FQ if you can afford the higher price and want the party right outside your door. *DON'T* stay in the FQ if you are visiting with family/children or if you are trying to give up being an alcoholic or if you don't like fun. But even the FQ has it's quiet parts, just avoid Bourbon St. We do get cold for a couple months in Winter, but it almost never snows. Its not that the cold is that bad but it feels worse because of the humidity. Inversely our summers are almost unbearably hot for the same reason. 8. Dead wrong again. Don't drive in the Quarter but outside of that you are going to be screwed without a vehicle. Our public transportation is a few remnants of a century-old streetcar line and busses that never seem to follow their schedule. 9. Ok, he got that right. Your car will be broken into. As for Americans being great people... I wish I was with you on that; unfortunately you probably only get to meet Americans who are rich enough to travel. While those are wonderful people they don't exactly represent those who are poor enough to consider a life of crime. Not saying all poor people are unsafe but New Orleans is very poor and so there are many who resort to crime out of desperation. 10. Yeah, true. This city has its rough edges. He could have just combined 9 in with this point, though. 11. Now the guy is being an asshole; the panhandlers guessing where you got your shoes is basically a type of street performance, and he is ruining the joke as well as that guy's ability to make money. And then he gets it wrong? NO! the answer is "you got yo' shoes on yo' feet." And he confuses you as a result; the joke is that its not about where the shoes originated, but where you've got them while he is telling the joke. And no, they don't harass you. Ugh, the guy making this video just sucks. 12. Might avoid September too: hurricane season. (To answer your question, Texas always sucks) 13. Most accursed point he has made. Be a visitor, not a tourist. 14. Tour guide rules are for the tour guides. Not sure why he bothers with that as an individually numbered point; it doesn't effect you. 15. Tipping is the rule throughout the US. I guess its important Europeans are told to tip, but generally it should go without saying. 16. Also should go without saying. 17. Well that's a great way to drum up tourism "Come see Bourbon Street, where drunk people cry and puke on themselves!" 18. Play up the "Big Easy" stereotype. Whatever, not worth making a rule about it. 19. Who travels on a diet? The point is to lose the weight before traveling so you can pig out. This is just getting stupidly obvious. 20. Yes, you can bring your kids... but we'd prefer getting visitors who are of legal age and hot. 21. duh 22. Again, this isn't a rule that is NOLA specific. Boring. If you need to be told this then you deserve to be the person in #17 crying and puking on Bourbon st. 23. Goes without saying on ID. as for cash; just hit an ATM when you get here. Stupid rule. Tipping you can still write on the receipt when closing out your tab; most places are not cash only anymore.
As someone from Louisiana, it is literally like the only state in the USA that has an actual culture. They are Cajuns. They have cultural food, music, activities, festivals, etc. No other state has that. So yes while it is a very very hot state, it will be one of the most unique experiences youll find in the US.
Last time I went there was a girl sitting on a curb puking all over herself, her drunk friends were just laughing the whole time. After around one am the whole street stunk of pee and puke.
Born and raised here. Only go to new orleans in august IF you like to walk around in an oven set on broil. All of the tips in the video are accurate. But one he doesn't mention, ONLY eat raw oysters in a month with the letter "R". Hope you have a beautiful time here! Love, hugs, and PERSEVERE yall!
If you enjoyed this, I think you'd love Donut Operator (if you haven't checked his stuff out yet). He's former Military, Former Police, Former SWAT and he breaks down videos. He's GREAT and I know a bunch of channels react to his breakdowns...I know several non-US channels who like to react to him.
Don't go in the summer! A good time (imo) to go to New Orleans is around October. They already say we have vampires, so that fits the bill. Texas in the summer is also a BIG no-go; it's way too hot! Also, if you're going to the South already, I'd say go to Orlando, Florida and check out DisneyWorld or Universal for a day. It would be expensive, but it would be the best trip ever (IMO). The US is truly like a bunch of different countries sometimes with how different the states can be. Louisiana is definitely one of the most cultural places (next to Florida, California, and New York) if you're talking about rich history and mixing cultures.
Louisianan here. You are correct in that the French Quarter is most unique in its architecture. New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in North America. I disagree with the original video saying not to book a hotel away from the Quarter. Just stay a few blocks away from Bourbon Street and you’re fine. If you feel like leaving the French Quarter, a nice walk down Magazine Street offers a ton of great shops and restaurants.
The architecture in the French Quarter is actually Spanish Colonial. The city burned down in the Spanish Era in 1794 and was rebuilt using Spanish techniques that were more fire resistant because of a heavy emphasis on brickwork over woodwork.
I am from New Orleans, your shouldn't feel safe there. I wouldn't go alone if I were you. Always say in a group. You will meet the nicest and the worst of humanity there.
She is Very accurate! On most things. Americans do not realize how entitled and arrogant they are as a group/individual. Born and raised here, but have appreciated the other ways out there since childhood. There are others like me, but far and few between.
As a native, I love suggesting a few places that are rarely in the tourist guides. One place I always recommend is City Park. It’s an amazing urban park and it offers a pastoral experience that is unique and special. Another area is the lakefront. Lake Pontchartrain is enormous and the lakefront offers food, boating, and a peaceful place to watch the sun set. Lastly, when you’re outside of the Quarter, touring neighborhoods, make an effort to stop at the bars you’ll see nearly everywhere. This is where you can meet locals and experience what I say is the most impressive characteristic of my city, the welcoming nature of its people. We love to talk and tell stories and for a visitor, it can be a beautiful thing to behold. Have fun and I hope you decide to visit us.
Please be careful if you visit down here. Florida, Texas, and Louisiana are very dangerous - especially if people can easily tell you're a foreigner. Bigotry (of literally every kind) is at an all time high in the southern US.
Born & Raised in NOLA (aka New Orleans, loUiSiAna): Pretty solid advice Humidity + Heat = inability to breath... when you open a door or window it just hits you, so be prepared ~ not scared. Just about everything can take your breath away food/architecture/people/pets/even the air/etc.
I've lived most of my 71 years in Oklahoma. The one tornado I've seen was near Topeka, Kansas as a child. You just know to have a tornado plan in place, along with the things like meditation, water, flashlights and a weather alert radio. Go to your designated safe place right away when a warning is sounded. I put in an underground cellar when I bought my current home. It's just part of life in Tornado Alley.
Stay in the Garden District & take the Trolly/Street car to Canal Street from there you can walk around and visit all the hot spots! People are saying not to visit New Orleans but as long as you stay in the tourist areas, don’t go off at night walking by yourself outside of the tourism or where nobody is then you’ll be fine. If anyone tries to come up to you to ask you a question just say no. They are gonna tell you a joke & then demand a tip. Don’t take the shots from the girls standing in the bars or right outside of the bars bc most of the time they raise the prices on those shots especially during the holidays or Mardi Gras. I recommend that you not go alone so that you aren’t a target if you want to walk around at night.
Visit New Orleans, take a swamp tour & look for the Rougarou 🐺 visit Cali & look for Sasquatch, then the Grand Canyon is very humbling, Utah is one of the most beautiful places on earth
The French Quarter is the area on high ground on which the original French settlement was built. The architecture of the city is another matter, and if you like old buildings, we’ve got plenty.
New Orleans food is unlike any other place. There;s nowhere in America that cooks seafood the way we do here in New Orleans, and I can say that confidently as a local. Also, if you do bring your son, I suggest the Children's Museum and the Planetarium as well as everything he mentioned in this video!
Yes, people do try to pee in public. People do live in the French Quarter, and people do pee on peoples stoops. I'm so glad he covered the fact that we are more than the French Quarter. The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. In New Orleans, it's a streetcar, not a trolly. Crime is a factor. Keep your head on a swivel. Yeah, if their gonna fight, probably one of them has a gun. The shoe part... the scam is, "You got those shoes on your feet, in New Orleans." July and Aug... hot as balls. Temp is 104 here today, and Texas is right next door. Same temps. Food is amazing, Creole food in New Orleans and Cajun food in the nearby bayou communities. Yes, do NOT mess with their horses. DON'T walk in the French Quarter in sandals or open toed shoes. That liquid your stepping in is NOT water. It's street gravy... water, booze, urine, puke... you get the picture. South Louisiana is just on a whole other level when it comes to food. Mardi Gras and New Orleans, in general, is a marathon, not a sprint.
I’m from here. My two greatest tips: NEVER pick anything off the ground. I see a lot of tourists pick up beads from the ground, even if they aren’t in a puddle DONT pick them up. Every inch of New Orleans has been puked on at some point and even if it looks dry. In the same point, ESPECIALLY don’t pick up cash you find. Especially if it looks like it’s been rolled up. It could have traces of drugs on it, and even if it doesn’t anything that’s touched the New Orleans street now has just a little bit of sewage on it. Ignore any needles you see on the ground or weed you smell in the air too. (I swear New Orleans isn’t some drug infested rats nest, but any major city like New York or Berlin is gonna have at least a little bit of a drug problem). Tip #2 buy tickets to a parade viewing party! If you go during Mardi Gras the crowds are gonna be terrible, crowding around a parade raises the chance of getting puked on, pick pocketed, trampled, a victim of other various crimes. Fortunately most bars that have balconies will host parties, you’ll have to pay in advance to get in, some are more expensive than others, expect to pay over $20 and some have open bars but others don’t. It’s just very nice to be able to see the parades without the crowd and a good experience to have atleast once. They also have raised covered stands along parade routes you can rent a seat in, idk how much those cost though. I’m short, autistic, and disabled, so I never really go to parades anymore because you can’t sit, I can’t see over anyone, and they can be a sensory nightmare, so I love these options that get me out of the crowd, out of the heat, and have seating. Bonus tip is to look at the differential parades that are running ahead of time. Not all of them are the same, they have different themes and different items will be thrown. Like Krewe De Vieux is an explicit adult themed parade (not for the faint of heart), and my favorite is Chewbaccus which is a very very small parade (no viewing parties for this but there’s not a big crowd) that I recommend for sci-fi nerds- and it has a party at the end (you’ve never lived till you’ve raved with R2D2 and saw an intergalactic space opera funk band with aerial dancers). Also while you’re in New Orleans any time of year go see the local bands!! Not just jazz, but like metal and punk if you’re into that like I am!
I 100% agree that New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana should be avoided in July and August. I came from Texas originally and thought I knew what hot was. Nope. The humidity is so thick you can eat it with a spoon. Come any other time but mid-summer or you will get a serious case of swamp a$$ 😓
3:10 New Orleans is one of the few democrat cities tourism that doesn't want urine and poop on the ground. Because of all the alcohol they can get away with more police in a small area without looking like bad guys and thus get to enforce these common sense rules which keep at least the french quarter as a decent place to visit from time to time.
louisiana native here ! everyone i have met in this state pronounces it as new or-lins. I would definitely recommend going to mardi gras world when you're in new orleans, there's lots of cool art there ! also go to cafe du monde for the best beignets of your life lol (even though it will probably be packed)
We are a city outside of America and we claim that proudly. There's no other place like it... and I've travelled all over. Pronunciation is a big deal for us... From New Orleans to the names of certain streets. Food is also important to us. And you can find almost anything here. Alcohol is available 24 hours. A lot of bars never close so don't sweat that. Mid-City, Garden District, -Uptown are far more entertaining than the QTR. Having said that... At the moment, its not that safe here. Especially in the French Quarter... (at least after 10 PM). Violent crimes are at an all time high. People are being murdered for credit cards and small amounts of cash. Law enforcement is understaffed. It isn't safe because none of these kid understand the value of life...
As a Louisiana resident, I’d say choose between the southern states you’re considering and throw in a state that has mountains/a dynamic landscape like Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, etc. Most southern states look the same and may have cultural pull, but not much else - especially to see.
I live in Louisiana, there are a lot of interesting. The French Quarter is about 2 blocks and it's very neat. Use the trolley for sure. You can get an all day pass for it. There are alot of different tours and you can plan them ahead of time. Crime is not great but it's like that everywhere. Be smart and use common sense. Also do not go during parades.
One thing interesting about Louisiana (someone may have mentioned already) is that we're the only state that still uses French based laws. For instance, in every other state there are counties, but Louisiana has Parishes. There are other ways it's different, but these differences are mostly visible in the southern part of Louisiana. Safe Travels.
I'm from Louisiana but I have went to New Orleans to the science children's museum and the insect terrium but I never been to the wwii museum anyway I advise anyone not to go to New Orleans yall could get hort by the worse people and better yet just don't go at all because if you're wondering is they're theme park they're was it was called 6 flags but it shut down after horricone Katrina and if you want to move to Louisiana I advise you not to because of the fact there's not many nice people and sending your kids to a school in Louisiana is not a good idea because your kids would experience the stress and heartache of being bullied I advise you to home school them because it's safer them to be with you than with other kids and they're is other beautiful states to live in besides Louisiana hell I think I'm going to move away by next year out of Louisiana and it also gets blistering hot and humid in Louisiana in June July August September and October yeah the weather is weird it acts like it wants to stay hot longer
Born in New Orleans and currently live about two and a half hours away. The French quarter is actually more Spanish in architecture as Louisiana was under the rule of each before becoming an American state. I would disagree about not staying in hotels in the quarter. Lafittes Landing is an awesome place to stay. But I do agree about not driving. Park at the hotel and Uber or get on one of the bikes that drives everyone around.
Something that goes unnoticed sometimes is that a good portion of the architecture is Spanish. New Orleans burned back in 1788, which the Spanish rebuilt during their occupation, now there are French accents and brick work but a good portion is from Spain. Noticeable are the materials used and use of courtyard areas.
