#1 Someone In Florida Snapped A Picture Of A Raccoon Riding A Gator At The Ocala National Forest
Image credits: dgkidd407
#2 Seen At A Restaurant In Florida
Image credits: PancakeExprationDate
#3 Insane Convenience Store In Florida
Image credits: miraclesofpod
If you would take a second to Google ‘Florida man’ or ‘Florida woman’ (an Internet fad that appeared around 2013), you’d get a handful of crazy headlines and stories from the state popping up. At the moment of writing, the results of this include:
- “Florida man faces charges for eluding police”
- “Florida man allegedly injures endangered great white heron at state park”
- “Florida man among 3 arrested in 'multi-state stolen vehicle conspiracy’”
- “Florida woman accused of animal cruelty in Chicago”
#4 When Your Office Is In Florida
Image credits: stehigs321
#5 The Best Explanation For Visiting Florida
Image credits: majesticloulou
#6 My Sister Lives In Florida And Sends Some Weird Pictures Of People. This Was Most Recent
Image credits: Littlewing29
From this, we can see that Florida has quite a colorful reputation and characters, aka the Florida men and women. This isn’t necessarily singling out one person for making headlines due to their odd behavior but rather generalizing the trope of all the Sunshine State.
Netizens even started a ‘Florida man’ challenge, in which they Googled ‘Florida man’ and their birthday to see what crazy news happened in Florida on the day they were born. For example, on my birthday, a random Floridian was doing yard work naked, proving that there’s a wild story about the state for every day of the year.
#7 On The Florida News Today:
Image credits: Pointman2
#8 Florida's A Fun State. Merry Christmas Everybody
Image credits: DwightKSchnute
#9 Meanwhile In Florida
Image credits: sportsxracer
The biggest question you might be asking yourself right now is, what is in the water of Florida that generates so many bizarre stories? Well, one theory that could explain it is the very big and even more diverse population of the Sunshine State.
It’s the third most populated state in the US, inhabiting more than 22.61 million people in 65,758 square miles (170,310 km²). And that’s without the 140.6 million individuals who paid it a visit in 2023.
#10 Only In Florida
Image credits: MOMTHEMEATLOAFF
#11 Only In Florida...an Alligator On A Pool Noodle
Image credits: ArianaGandhi
#12 Its Raining A Little Bit In Florida... Thats A Bullshark In A Front Yard
Image credits: itslookingatmeray
The population is made up of 5 most prevalent ethnic groups, with white non-Hispanics making up 52%, Black or African American (non-Hispanic) at 14.9%, white Hispanics at 11.9%, two or more Hispanic at 9.59%, and other Hispanics at 4.29%.
#13 Florida Condo I Stayed At Had Beach-Accessible Wheelchairs
Image credits: Yeeslander
#14 Golf Course Hazard In Florida
Image credits: SirSoliloquy
#15 Time To Make A Smoothie
Image credits: 1Nicdar
“People don’t recognize how huge Florida is. The number of people per square mile is highly compacted,” says Al Tompkins, a senior faculty member at The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, in Florida. “When you put more people in a place, you’re going to end up with more crazy stuff.”
#16 Florida
Image credits: silentonc
#17 Bathroom Sign At A Barcade In Florida
Image credits: Mingusdrew
#18 The Things You See In Florida
Image credits: filmgeek77
Another reason for so many bizarre stories in Florida could be the Sunshine Laws that allow journalists to get their hands on police incidents almost in real-time. “Florida has got one of the broadest public records laws in the country,” says Barbara Petersen, president of Florida’s First Amendment Foundation. “As soon as that incident report is filed (by law enforcement), we can go and make a public record request and get it.”
#19 Welcome To Florida
Image credits: Jeet_Kune_Do
#20 Cousins By Birth Lovers By Choice?
Image credits: Where1sthebeach
#21 Aaaaah Florida
Image credits: Ser_Icehole
However, while it’s fine to laugh at some of the ‘Florida man’ stories, it’s also important to keep in mind the other side of these headlines. “Not every ‘Florida man’ story is laugh-out-loud funny. Some of them have real tragedy behind them,” said Florida journalist Craig Pittman.
#22 Saw This Lemur At A Local Grocery Store
Image credits: suck_ma_ballz
#23 When Floridaman Needs A Lawyer
Image credits: THATS_A_LIE
#24 Seen In A Dollar General In Pensacola, Florida
Image credits: pluckmyturkey
Often in these stories, mental health plays a really important role. Mental well-being is a big, overlooked problem in the Sunshine State, as it ranks at the bottom of the US states for funding.
“When the work of journalists basically pokes fun at crime and activities that no reasonable person would be involved in, it’s on us to get beyond the snicker and laugh and sneer and look at if there’s a bigger issue,” Tompkins said.
#25 Meanwhile, In Florida
Image credits: km8907
#26 Well At Least He’s Creative
Image credits: Import
#27 Only In Florida
Image credits: nascarworker
Even the stereotype that Florida has a crazy crime rate is incorrect, as it’s the lowest it’s been in the past 50 years. In 2022, violent crimes fell by nearly 32% thanks to efforts from law enforcement, community initiatives, and policy changes.
#28 What Car Is This? Saw It In Florida
Image credits: Derpiliceous
#29 Nothing To See Here. Just An Alligator Riding A Manatee. Welcome To Florida!
Image credits: bigggblack
#30 In A Florida Wendy's Parking Lot
Can't believe I found one in person
Image credits: reddit.com
#31 Walked Outside To Find A Turtle Laying Eggs Right Next To My Car
Image credits: rivigurl
#32 Florida Man Executive At Panera
Headphones on, earing bagels and water from home while sitting there barefoot. Florida man executive level.
Image credits: Where1sthebeach
#33 Florida Man Is Getting Braver Everyday
Image credits: oilfieldrigger
#34 You Can Never Out Redneck Florida
Image credits: KingCodyBill
#35 Thought This Was Amusing. Playground Right Next To A Lake With Alligators
To help but think this is a little bit amusing. If your kids are bad just tell them to go stand near the edge of the lake lol.
Image credits: aware4ever
#36 Somewhere In Florida
Image credits: AttentionBeginning
#37 Only In Florida
Image credits: af31115
#38 We Don't Need No Shoes To Go To Wal-Mart. Yes, This Is Florida
Image credits: krillinsdots
#39 Just An Alligator Chilling In Disney World, Florida
Image credits: flu0mas
#40 Just Taking His Parrot For A Ride At 55 Mph. Welcome To Florida
Image credits: fleurettes_mom
#41 What In The Florida Going On Here?
Image credits: JorgeHeathen
#42 Just A Little Too Hot To Kayak In Florida Today
Image credits: tyrannosaurus_fred
#43 Just Another Day In Florida
Image credits: psychie
#44 Redneck Engineering At A Thai Restaurant In Florida
Image credits: barebackbandit1
#45 So Very Florida. These Jerks Just Block The Road And Don’t Move
Image credits: Einfinitez
#46 Heat So Severe That The Pens We Use For The Ferry Literally Melted
Image credits: A-Digital-Circus
#47 0:08 Florida Man Holds Massive Clock On Flatbed
Image credits: reddit.com
#48 Florida Man In His Element. Maybe R/Trashyhot Crossover?
Image credits: ShaQuandria
#49 When You Live In Florida You Always Check The Bottom Of The Pool Before Jumping In
Image credits: kekembas17
#50 Just A Relaxing Day In Florida
Image credits: crumbbelly
#51 Welcome, New Floridians!
Image credits: grey_smile
#52 A Bear In My Backyard Today …
Image credits: ComplexWrangler1346
#53 My Neighbor Decorating Their Yard With Bottles Of Alcohol, Yes This Is Florida
Image credits: lets-work-together
#54 Just Another Day In Florida
Image credits: TheHeroSaitama
#55 Really Florida??
Image credits: Phoebler
#56 A Truck In Florida
Image credits: zachismyname89
#57 Genius At Work - Only In Florida
Image credits: gatdamnitsomuch
#58 Cloudy With A Chance Of Frogs
Image credits: SabrinaWFTV
#59 There’s Nothing A Florida Man Can’t Do And This Is Proof
Image credits: peemints
#60 Anybody Know What Species Of Croc This Might Be? (S. Florida)
found this big guy was resting in the middle of the road.
Image credits: mannymenendez
#61 Only In Florida
Image credits: dps3695
#62 Sponge Bob Is Moving Because Of The Hurricane
Image credits: skullpoly
#63 When You’re In Florida But Need Reception In Singapore
Image credits: bearoderse
#64 Family Friendly Bar
Image credits: Beren__
#65 Found In San Carlos Florida, I'm So Happy I Moved
Image credits: hpopple
#66 Sign At Florida BBQ Restaurant
Image credits: S4MPL3S
#67 Only In Florida.
Image credits: litefoot
#68 Oh Florida…
Image credits: PurplePhoenix77
#69 Every Week My Neighbor Mows His Beer Cans
Image credits: hurricanesurvivor
#70 Saw This Yesterday In Florida
Image credits: overlord-ror
#71 A "Motorcycle" In Florida
Image credits: Peytoncm
#72 My Mom Sent Me This Today From Florida. To Make It Better She Said The Driver Only Had One Arm
Image credits: azelawolf
#73 Of Course It's Florida
Image credits: zentient9
#74 I Told My Brother In Law I Missed Florida, He Showed Me This
Image credits: Simurgh1989
#75 Florida Problems
Image credits: tshizdude
#76 Only In Florida....
Image credits: Things4FLppl
#77 Happy Holidays From Fred The 21 Year Old Turtle That Lives At Petland In Orlando Florida
Image credits: jasonleedesigns
#78 Florida Never Fails To Deliver
Image credits: gogogodzilla86
#79 Just Florida Things
Image credits: l0st_cause
#80 Wendy's Parking Lot, Niceville, Fl. Breaking Bad 2: Florida Man Boogaloo
Image credits: Accomplished_Ad6262
#81 Meanwhile, In Florida
Image credits: shots-by-leo
#82 Seen In Florida. Guess They Got Tired Of The Covid19 Stares
Image credits: justininhifi
#83 I Am New To Florida. Is This Normal?
Image credits: PopeRD2
#84 If You Went Hiking Through Oleta River In Aventura Florida Last Year, You Probably Poop Your Pants A Couple Miles In
Image credits: poo_smudge
#85 I Saw This Driving Down The Interstate. Well Done, Florida
Image credits: pumped_up_kicks80
#86 He's Just Catching Some Shade. It Is Hot Down There
Image credits: LadyJustice4512
#87 Welcome To Florida
Image credits: bandcalledhappy
#88 This Giant Alligator Is Currently Roaming A Golf Course In Florida
Image credits: cluckinho
#89 Florida Man (And Wife) Towing A Casket With The Name “Bones” On Their Trike? Lmao
Image credits: 88122787ja9
#90 Only In Florida
On Facebook Marketplace too, who the hell bought this
Image credits: 45hioy
#91 The Most Florida Thing I’ve Seen This Week
Image credits: karebear6
#92 Which One Of Y’all Left This At The Airport?
Image credits: JorgeHeathen
#93 But He’s A “Good Man”
Image credits: sweetEVILone
#94 Florida Sucks
Image credits: unsupported
#95 Only In Florida
Image credits: TheRealOwenGrady
#96 Spotted On A Road In Florida
Image credits: stvictus
#97 A Toilet Is Worth A Thousand Words
Image credits: LojaRich
#98 Florida Man At It Again
Image credits: LtDan85
#99 I Do Believe Florida Knows How To Speak Redneck
Image credits: maroonCoonass
#100 But Also It Was Midday In Florida
Image credits: sailfist
#101 So True
Image credits: BeachFrmFL
#102 Grab The Milk “Fu¢k The Rest”
Image credits: Piglecorn
#103 Florida Prepping For Tomorrow Like
Image credits: Things that are not aesthetic
#104 Found On A Trip To Florida In Georgia
Image credits: Deep_Grape820
