San Antonio has a rich history, a distinctive outlook on life and tendency to turn things we enjoy into long-running traditions.

Even though we’re a welcoming community, it’s not always easy for newcomers to immediately make sense of our quirks — whether it’s asking everyone where they went to high school or the inexplicable urge to break eggs over people’s heads come springtime.

As a result it can be easy to spot newbies as they try to figure out our unique lifestyle. Just follow these 30 tips and you’ll be able to sniff them out, no problem! 

They don’t use up the majority of their work PTO around Fiesta. Credit: Jaime Monzon
11. Casa Rio 430 E. Commerce St. “This was a pleasant surprise. This adorable family owned restaurant sat directly across the river from our hotel. The colorful umbrellas are eye-catching and add to the atmosphere. The service was exceptional as we had two servers that checked on us constantly. The food was delicious and portions were large. I would say this is a river gem.” — Anna D. Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
They just look at you with a blank expression when you make a Fred’s Fish Fry joke.Eventually they’ll notice the empty parking lots and start drawing their own conclusions. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Cheer on the Spurs at a home game One AT&T Center Parkway, (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com Most San Antonians are Spurs fans every day of the year. Show your loyalty to the Silver & Black and cheer on the team during home games at the AT&T Center. Credit: Photo by Jaime Monzon
They struggle to pronounce Boerne, Huebner or Nacogdoches Credit: Shutterstock / SevenMaps
Weren’t breakfast tacos invented in Austin? Credit: Photo via Instagram / fertthefoodie
They have no idea what movie is being referenced when someone makes a joke about the Alamo having a basement. Credit: Warner Home Video
We’re going to have to ask you to work during the Battle of Flowers Parade. Credit: Jaime Monzon
Your high school sucks. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / 25or6to4
There are no actual ghosts at the Ghost Tracks. [Said before launching into a physics lesson about how cars roll downhill.] Credit: Photo via Google Maps
They think Los #3 Dinners are only something you order at the neighborhood taqueria. Credit: Anthony Garcia
Best Enchiladas Blanco Cafe 1720 Blanco Road (210) 732-6480 blancocafesa.com Credit: Photo via Google Maps
They think people are referring to payday when they say “First Friday.” Credit: Courtesy Photo / Contemporary at Blue Star
They have no recollection of Mike Yuchnitz, the My Econo $39.95 Optical guy. Credit: Screenshot via YouTube / Ben Kubany
There’s a $2 charge for chips and salsa, sir/ma’am. Credit: Shutterstock / MSPhotographic
Keep necessities in stock so you don’t panic-raid H-E-B when there’s bad weather It’s a San Antonio tradition to join the hordes descending upon H-E-B when there’s a grim forecast. Instead of fighting the crowds, try keeping some basic necessities in stock and reduce your stress when the storms roll in. Credit: Photo via Unsplash / Brittani Burns
You’re going to see Judas Priest? I didn’t even know they were still around. Credit: Oscar Moreno
They don’t remember the time when KISS-FM was actually a radio station worth listening to. Credit: Shutterstock / The_Molostock
They’ve never seen the Selena movie — and they sure as hell can’t quote from it. Credit: Warner Bros.
They have no idea the Pearl was once a brewery and its beer, unlike anything in the shops there, was actually affordable. Credit: Nick Simonite, courtesy of Pearl
They can’t tell the Castro twins apart. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore
They complain that food is “too spicy.” Credit: Shutterstock / Olga Nayashkova
They don’t promptly head to the dance floor when the DJ plays “Como La Flor.” Credit: Shutterstock / ARENA Creative
They don’t immediately point out San Antonio actors such as Jesse Borrego, Bruce McGill, Summer Glau or Emilio Rivera when they show up in a movie or TV show. Credit: Shutterstock / DFree
They say “Bill Miller” instead of “Bill Miller’s” and “H-E-B” instead of “H-E-B’s.” Credit: Shutterstock / Moab Republic
They think Legs Diamond is just the name of a gangster who was killed in 1931. Credit: Shutterstock / Ysbrand Cosijn
They bring a fruit cake or a nut log to a holiday party instead of tamales. Credit: Shutterstock / Ronald Summers
They go to a Western Wear store and ask to see the “Luke Casey” boots. Credit: Shutterstock / Moab Republic
They haven’t yet figured out how to navigate around all the potholes in their neighborhood. Credit: Shutterstock / Lucky Team Studio
They haven’t learned enough of the lyrics to “Hey Baby, Que Paso” to sing along when it blasts out of the bar jukebox. Credit: Josh Huskin