Whether you’re a Nashville native or relative newcomer, Music City has its own set of rules that locals understand to be second nature. Think: specific city knowledge, trends, and colloquialisms.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the 615, here are a few unwritten rules you may know to be true submitted by readers — and if you’re not from Nashville, these might be a little difficult to explain.
The unspoken rules everyone knows
“We leave VIPs alone to enjoy their privacy when they are shopping or dining locally in one of Nashville’s fine restaurants, boutiques, or malls.” — @cathybaughn
“A forecast for flurries means measurable snow. A forecast for measurable snow means cold rain.” — u/skandalouslsu (And you should probably keep your favorite shorts on hand for the winter months, right?)
We’re kind to our neighbors
“Say hello, hold the door, be nice!” — @markmulchmusic
“Absolutely… show your southern hospitality.” — @brianstewartrealtor
We’ve learned a thing or two from commuting
“Don’t speed in Belle Meade.” — @kerrylynn1983
“We give people a breath before honking at a red light. A long, slow breath.” — @lynnvincent575
“Always give directions referring to closed businesses: “Go to the old Sears building and take a right.” — Clyde R.
“We use pike and road interchangeably.” — Shannon R. (Is it Harding Road or Harding Pike? Both.)
“If you decide to live in Green Hills, move somewhere else from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.” — Anonymous
Sometimes you just have to laugh
“Laugh hysterically a maximum of three times before you finally teach a tourist how to properly pronounce Demonbreun.” (Say it with us, “de-mun-bree-un.”) — @lovesantadecor
“When you pick your kids up from school you wait in the ‘hook up line’ … boy that’s confusing when you first move here!” — Amy S.
“Everyone lives off Old Hickory Boulevard” — John C. (This Reddit thread seems to agree.)
We remember the OG restaurants
“We also say ‘yeah, it was on the French bread!’ each time we ride by the old Rotiers.” — @wfoushee
What did we miss? If you know an unofficial rule that’s not on the list, let us know.
