• By SMILEY ANDERS
• Advocate columnist
• Published: Oct 28, 2009 - Page: 1B

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Elwyn Bocz, of Gramercy, says several years ago a nephew attending Nicholls State University in Thibodaux came home for Christmas break with a friend in tow:

“His friend had a very heavy accent, to the point where he was very hard to understand.

“I thought it was nice of my nephew to bring a foreign student home with him to enjoy our holidays.”

One evening they attended a special event at Buck’s Tavern in Lutcher:

“Once a year Buck would set aside a day in December to thank all the people who patronized his establishment that year. Drinks were on the house all day.”

The longer they stayed, Elwyn says, the thicker the friend’s accent got:

“The more he talked the less I could understand what he was saying.

“Finally I leaned over and asked my nephew, ‘What country is your friend from? I’m having a terrible time understanding his conversation.’

“My nephew’s reply was, ‘Oh, he’s from Galliano, down the bayou.’ ”

Northern Tigers

Annie Fugler, a Denham Springs City Council member, agrees with readers who say wearing LSU gear will attract Louisiana folks no matter where you are:

“I was wearing an LSU shirt and seeking refreshments in Bar Harbor, Maine.

“The waiter asked where we were from, then reached into his wallet and threw down his Louisiana driver’s license.