Source: Tony Leavell / Tony Leavell
Has anyone ever told you that you’re “unserious”?
It’s probably not because you lack depth, as some definitions suggest, but instead are rather lighthearted. As for black folks, celebration, laughter, and making light of tough situations runs deep through our DNA!
HOWEVER…
There are quite few things we collectively don’t play about. Keep scrolling for a list of 7 things black people take very seriously!
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7. ENTERTAINMENT
One thing about us…we like to be entertained! Whether it is watching the “stories” with grandma, or making games out of everyday items—such as milk crates—we’re going to find the fun!
6. NICKNAMES
Nicknames represent endearment and familiarity, and we love giving them out! Interestingly enough, we tend to circulate the same ones. Every black person knows at least a few people with one the following nicknames:
Red, Man (or Man-Man), Pumpkin (or Punkin), Tiny, June bug, Fat, Pooh, Worm, double letters (i.e. TeTe, BeBe, CeCe, GiGi, etc.), double letters, with the second one being “J” (i.e. EJ, TJ, DJ, CJ, etc.).
Other nickname rules include calling elders “Auntie” and “Uncle” (especially friends of your parents—making their children “cousins”)…
…and using physical descriptions to get a person’s attention and/or compliment them.
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5. FOOD
In the black community, it’s imperative to know “who all there” when it comes to cooks in the kitchen! No matter how appetizing a meal may look, sticking to the code is just as important. The rules are as follows:
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The Function’s Mac & Cheese Chef Must Be Vetted! No First-Timers
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Cleaning Your Chicken is Non-Negotiable
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BBQ Cook Should Be An Skilled Dad and/or Uncle (Preferably Wearing Breathable Strap Sandals with Cushioned Soles). *Note: If None Are Available, Just Make Sure Griller Is Skilled
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A Well-Stocked Seasoning Cabinet (Put to Good Use) Is A Must
Additionally, how you make certain dishes will forever be a serious topic. Here are some highly contentious preferences:
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The Great Grits Debate: Sugar or Salt and Pepper?
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The Collard Green Controversy: Sugar or Vinegar?
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The Spaghetti Dispute: Sauce Mixed or Served Separately?
As a best practice, just ensure that the cooks are clean, have skin in the game, and don’t experiment at the family functions!
4. MONEY
Source: Brand X Pictures / Getty
If you want things to get serious fast, play with a black person’s money. Count on us to calculate our first check before getting the job, and treat “Tax Time” like a national holiday. If we don’t do anything else, we’re making sure the our money is right.
3. PURSE ETIQUETTE
Source: Marketing / wdmk
Superstition or not, purse etiquette need to practiced! You better not place that purse on the floor, or reach in it if it’s not yours. In some households, you can’t even touch it if it isn’t yours! For whatever reason, we don’t play about purses.
2. CARD GAMES
From Spades to Uno, card games are a coveted past time. Not only do you need to know how to play, but you also need to have a solid poker face, tough skin, and be a master at talking mess. If the game seems like may turn into a fight at any moment, the players are doing it right!
Note: Everyone plays by there own rules—and no, not the ones on the back of the box…these set of rules are something like a secret menu. Be sure to establish the rules prior to beginning to avoid fall outs.
Honorable Mention: Dominoes falls in the same category.
1. MUSIC
Source: Dragos Condrea / Getty
Music needed an entire category to itself! From your Saturday morning “clean up music”, to your gospel and turn up playlists, the tunes need to be up to par. Regardless of the juncture, black folks don’t play about having the right music for the vibe.
Honorable Mention: Somehow, we’ve all come to the unequivocal agreement that Hall & Oates and Selena are two non-black artists we’d all go to war behind!
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