My bright-red sneakers dance to a different drum in New Orleans, and it is not just during a second-line parade. Living behind a turquoise door, knowing which “throws” are the most sought after during Mardi Gras, and eating roughly 100 pounds of crawfish in the spring are all characteristics that help define us as New Orleanians. But what does it mean to become a New Orleanian?

Moving to New Orleans from Pittsburgh was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. Within 30 seconds of the New Orleans summer air hitting my face, two things happened: 1. I began sweating 2. I knew I would easily fall in love with the city. It was more than eating po’boys, listening to brass bands for free on Wednesdays and biking by old French Quarter homes. It was the people.

Jogging alongside the Mississippi River is the perfect way to introduce new city dwellers to the various characters that call New Orleans home. For instance, a few weeks after Mardi Gras, when festivities had wound down, I was out for a run through the French Quarter. After crossing Decatur Street into the park that flanks the river, I nearly collided with a human-sized, beer-drinking lobster and then stumbled over a few pirates. Looking down the path of the river I saw that there were hundreds of people in costume, and they all seemed to be having the time of their lives. Interested, I stopped and asked some folks what parade was going on. “Shooting a scene for Treme!” a green-octopus woman yelled over the saxophone player next to her. As I stopped and watched the faux parade go by I made several new friends with the other onlookers. In typical New Orleans fashion many of them had musical instruments with them, so after we enjoyed the extended Mardi Gras treat, they played more music. With the parade in the distance, our diverse group of people that had formed enjoyed some evening tunes.

The people of New Orleans are so unique and diverse that labels like Cajun or Yat can’t begin to describe everyone—especially considering the only requirement for fitting in is being friendly. What is most unique is that, as transplants continue to move to New Orleans, the attitude of the city prevails. It is not about people coming into the city and changing it—it is about the city changing those people. While some metropolises have stigmas attached to them—like ones that make you think a new wardrobe is necessary to fit in—the only requirement when moving to the Big Easy is a big smile.

I have been fortunate enough to live in some amazing places around the country. Never have I been as welcomed to a new place as I was in New Orleans. So what does it mean to become a New Orleanian? It means allowing the city to strip down any social barriers you have acquired and to really let you be you.