If you’re a Cardiff student, you’ll do all these weird things without realising just how odd they are

Cardiff students are a special breed. A constant battle between the English and Welsh students, in the capital of Wales. Rugby is something that takes over your weekend during the six nations, and a pint at the Taf will never be turned down (they are so bloody cheap omg take me back.) We have a lot of quirks some slightly weird but others baffling. So here are just a few.

REPLACING YOUR BLOOD WITH VK, ONE WEDNESDAY AT A TIME

VKs are pretty much sold at every university so that in itself is not unique to Cardiff. But we are their number one distributor. It’s weird to think that your time at the end of school spent drinking ciders and beers would be replaced by a drink that presumably was originally targeted at fourteen-year-olds when you got uni. But tbh who cares they taste great and it’s four for a tenner.

ACTIVE WEAR EVERYWHERE

Honestly, does no one else own any other clothes than active wear? The entire uni is plastered in Team Cardiff, with Nike leggings and red hoodies showing that you’re sporty. That video just rings in my ear every time I see it. But… I’ll be the first to admit that I do in fact prefer active wear but I have been to the gym once so I think it’s justified.

BECOMING A HOOLIGAN AT VARSITY AND DECIDING SHOES AREN’T STRICTLY NECESSARY

Decorum falls a sorry second to a burning hatred for Swansea.

BINGO

When was the last time you played bingo before uni? Honestly? Year 2? Maybe when you went to a bingo hall for bants? But at Cardiff not only is bingo a credible activity on a Friday night it is also one very lit sesh. Steins of beer, street food, dancing on tables and people have even won cars. Like all from bingo by the bay. Are we really just pensioners at heart?

NOT BEING THAT BOTHERED ABOUT RUGBY ALL YEAR, ONLY TO BECOME ULTRA-PATRIOTIC WHEN THE SIX NATIONS ROLLS AROUND

No other city has that strong a relationship with one sport that it takes over the entire city. Leigh Halfpenny and his thighs are considered national treasures, which is something you only learn when you come to uni in Cardiff. Weekends during the Six Nations are scheduled around the matches, and you know for a fact that Gassy’s will be rammed on match day. Even if you don’t like sport you end up watching it for some reason, and no one is quite sure why.

ORDERING HALF AND HALF CHIPS AND RICE BECAUSE REALLY YOU LIVE IN CARB-DIFF

In New South Wales I hear that the beaches are golden, the people are beautiful and if there is meat it will be grilled to perfection on a bbq. Carbs are a luxury, and it’s beach volleyball until the sun sets. In South Wales, however, our affair with carbs is a different story. When you order your jalfrezi from the curry house it’s not one, but two carbs. Rice and chips. Maybe we’re all marathon runners, or maybe we just fucking love chips. Cheers butt.

FORMING A STRONGER BOND WITH LIDL BAKERY THAN WITH YOUR HOUSEMATES

There is often an affinity you get for European supermarkets, but living in Cathays just leads straight to an endless love affair with Lidl. Face it, the bakery is actually the official meal deal of Cardiff. “Actually went to my lecture today, I deserve a cookie or seven.” It has everything you need, and more. Cathays Lidl you are bae.

GOING TO REVS IN YOUR NICEST CLOTHES, ONLY TO GO OUT TO THE LASH IN A BIN BAG

Idk if it was in our tenancy agreement when we moved into Taly or something but there is almost an unwritten uniform for each of the clubs, and the biggest difference being Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

CALLING IT THE LASH DESPITE IT BEING CALLED YOLO SINCE BEFORE YOU CAME TO UNI

In 2037, when tuition fees are £43,000 a year and the sweaty masses all have VK implants, Cardiff students will still call Wednesday night at the SU the Lash.

AFTER THREE YEARS STILL NOT KNOWING HOW TO PRONOUNCE CLWB IFOR BACH

In any other city, not knowing how to pronounce the name of the club you’re in would most likely get you kicked out. For Cardiff students, a stubborn insistence to not learn three simple Welsh words is somehow completely normal.

Cloob? Clewub? Let’s settle for Welsh club

THAT CHIP SHOP THAT DEEP FRIES EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY IN THIS WORLD

So you reading this as a legendary Cardiff student would think I would talk about a Cathays takeaway like Mamas, Khan’s or Fam Fish. But no, the weird one in town on Queen St that for some reason deep fries everything. Like why? No one asked for deep fried Oreos. I’m not exactly all quinoa and avocado but still, this surely is too far? Stop it, please. It’s Cardiff we like chips. Got it?

JUST LEARNING TO LIVE WITH SILVERFISH HANGING OUT IN YOUR ROOM

Like wtf, why on earth does Taly just pretend having random insects in your room is normal as a fresher? Like they are disgusting and it’s the same story year after year. Why do we live like this? Oh right because Maccas and KFC are just outside Taly.

FALLING FOR THE SAME REMIXES IN THE LASH EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.

It’s Wednesday night. You’re dancing with a fitty in a Toga, whilst sipping down an orange VK. Well done you. What’s this I hear the DJ playing? Hit me baby one more time by Britney? Odd choice? Only when week after week it merges into Daft Punk’s one more time. You cheer. Everyone cheers. He did this last week. You fell for it again.

NOT BOTHERING TO GET OUT OF YOUR PJS TO GO CURE YOUR HANGOVER AT CAFE 37

I’m not sure if it’s normal to have a designated restaurant for your hangover to be cured but for some reason we do. And that’s in the form of pancakes, fried bread, and bacon. Oh and loads of eggs. All washed down with either a very small juice or tea. You feel slightly ill from the grease as you walk out but, at least you’re feeling less like you’re gonna die from last night’s Juice.

DESPERATELY TRYING, BUT FAILING, TO IGNORE ALL THE WEIRD SU CAMPAIGNS

Puns? Check. Weird costumes? Check. Being hounded outside the Woody? Check. Choosing candidates based upon what they can do with their name? Check. Honestly, that week is one of the weirdest each year, people walking around as cookie monster, Thomas the tank engine and one candidate based his entire campaign on a glitter beard. Yeah it’s strange. But it’s our strange.

Oh Cardiff, Never change you weird beautiful fuck.