<strong>Don't be weirded out by Venice Beach.</strong><br />If every day is like an R-rated variety show overseen by an LSD aficionado -- and in Venice Beach it is -- you deal with it. Calmly. Like this gent.
Blending in, L.A. style —
Don't be weirded out by Venice Beach.
If every day is like an R-rated variety show overseen by an LSD aficionado -- and in Venice Beach it is -- you deal with it. Calmly. Like this gent.
HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Don't mention the weather.</strong><br />It isn't a topic of conversation -- unless something really weird is happening, like, you know, rain.
Sunshine doesn't make the news —
Don't mention the weather.
It isn't a topic of conversation -- unless something really weird is happening, like, you know, rain.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/GettyImages
<strong>In Hollywood, show your cool.</strong> <br />It's not that hard to do, even if some people make it look like it is.
Cool is as cool does —
In Hollywood, show your cool.
It's not that hard to do, even if some people make it look like it is.
Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
<strong>For God's sake, don't order a Corona.</strong><br />Well, maybe unless these two are serving it to you. Still, if it's Mexican beer you want, Bohemia or Negro Modelo is the more local option.
Some beers are for tourists —
For God's sake, don't order a Corona.
Well, maybe unless these two are serving it to you. Still, if it's Mexican beer you want, Bohemia or Negro Modelo is the more local option.
Photo by Getty Image
<strong>Have an opinion on Shaq and Kobe.</strong> <br />All locals have a considered take on Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the testy NBA duo that brought three consecutive NBA titles to the Los Angeles Lakers but also brought Shakespearean levels of psychodrama to the team and city.
Take sides on important matters —
Have an opinion on Shaq and Kobe.
All locals have a considered take on Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the testy NBA duo that brought three consecutive NBA titles to the Los Angeles Lakers but also brought Shakespearean levels of psychodrama to the team and city.
Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Be discreet about celeb sightings.</strong> <br />That's just Dustin Hoffman behind that tree, don't freak out. Or is it Marty Sheen? Either way, don't freak.
Ignore celebs (sort of) —
Be discreet about celeb sightings.
That's just Dustin Hoffman behind that tree, don't freak out. Or is it Marty Sheen? Either way, don't freak.
Eric Ford/ Jason Kirk/Newsmakers
<strong>Honor the local deities.</strong><br />There are popular Angelenos, there are admired Angelenos. Then there are Angelenos who might as well be secular gods, they're so beloved. Basketball and business legend Magic Johnson (left) and immortal Dodgers baseball announcer Vin Scully (he's been with the team since 1950) unite locals like nothing else.
But bow down for the gods —
Honor the local deities.
There are popular Angelenos, there are admired Angelenos. Then there are Angelenos who might as well be secular gods, they're so beloved. Basketball and business legend Magic Johnson (left) and immortal Dodgers baseball announcer Vin Scully (he's been with the team since 1950) unite locals like nothing else.
Harry How/Getty Images
<strong>Eat at a food truck.</strong><br />What pizza is to New York and the cheesesteak is to Philly, the food truck has become to Los Angeles -- essential.
Take in L.A.'s cultural culinary mashup —
Eat at a food truck.
What pizza is to New York and the cheesesteak is to Philly, the food truck has become to Los Angeles -- essential.
Chuck Thompson/CNN