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Sorry that was outside new orleans people doing that. Ever go watch a Mardi Gras parade where regular New orleans people go. Think not.

I watched a Mardi Gras parade up on Carrollton a couple of years ago. A very, very, VERY family friendly event. In general, tourists have such a bad opinion coming away from New Orleans because they were TOO STUPID to visit areas outside of those which stupid tourists generally haunt. Sad. Now, more than ever, New Orleans will need ambassadors, both from there and not, to tell the truth about how truly fantastic of a place it is (or was, as the case may prove to be).

Here's a list I drew up years ago for friends visiting New Orleans for the first time:

Eric's List of Things to Avoid in New Orleans:

10. Going hungry. In the words of Mark Twain "New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin." You don't live there, you only live once, eat... frequently.

9. Hurricanes. Well, perhaps not avoid, per se, just avoid drinking more than three unless you want to sommeil in the gutter, non vrai?

8. Saying "Nawlins," "Nawlin" or "New OrLEEENS." It's New Orleans. This is one thing the locals pronounce correctly. Join them.

7. Anything that is "Cajun" or has been "Cajuned." First off, New Orleans is historically a creole city with heavy multicultural influence, not Cajun. The nearest large community of Cajuns would be 85 miles west in Vermillion Parish, and THEY don't call ANYTHING "Cajun" (other than themselves) or "cajuned." It's food. Secondly, anything that has been "cajuned" would probably be referred to as "burnt" or "over spiced" by an actual Cajun. If you HAVE to use words to choose food, pick something named after a street in New Orleans or a hooker. Can't miss.

6. Walking anywhere alone. Paranoid? Maybe. There's just no reason to risk it. The 'haves' and 'have nots' live in very close proximity in Orleans Parish. With great frequency the 'have nots' sneak over to where the 'haves' (and tourists) hang out and attempt to even the score.

5. Walking lakeside (NW) of Rampart Street or riverside (SW) of Magazine Street. See #6 above. This is where a whole lot of the 'have nots' live. Unfortunately (?) there is some good food and world class jazz north of Rampart. If you go, take a cab.

4. Beads. Unless it's Mardi Gras (or maybe New Years). It's like wearing a Bon Jovi shirt to a Metallica concert. "Dat was last week, bra."

3. The need for a public restroom. Why? Because there aren't any. You really don't want a full bladder in the Quarter.

2. Engaging in conversation with anyone whom says "I bet I know where you got 'dem shoes." Unless it's to say "I gots 'dem on my feet on [Insert Street Here]." Anything else is a good way to get conned, or worse, rolled.

1. Lucky Dogs. Oh, sure. They'll sound REALLY good about 4 a.m. after you stumble out of a bar invisible drunk. Avoid. Write it on your hand if you must, so that drunk you knows what to do. The cart men are invariably street bums by profession and WHO KNOWS when they changed the water last, or if it's even WATER (ew). Get thee to Café du Monde. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Sigh...