You know you live in the ghetto when... - Los Angeles edition

Ice Cream trucks play Hip Hop

Your neighborhood is highlighted in red on the map at Domino's and Pizza Hut.

You can't wear a certain color.

Fliers advertising "TEEN JOBS - MAKE UP TO $50" are posted on every block.

Every block has a vending machine that dispenses a gallon of water for twenty five cents (quarter water)

You can make regular appearances on the news by running out to places nearby where they are reporting from live.

Someone comes around selling "raspados", identified by the ringing bells.

You have an abandoned building on your block.

Someone comes around and yells "Eloooooooooooooooteeeeeeeeeeeeeeees" or "Taaaaaaaaaammmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaleeeeeeeees".

A produce truck comes around and honks like you're in a third world country.

Stop signs have bullet holes on them

Stop signs read Cant STOP _______ enter name of local gang here
(I used to call the gangsters that hung out on my street the Mariposa St. gang)



You have two or more $1 Chinese food places within a 10 minute walk.

You have two or more doughnut shops within a 10 minute walk.

You have two or more 99 cent stores within a 10 minute walk.

You have two or more pawn shops within a 10 minute walk.

You have two or more laundromats within a 10 minute walk.

You can't walk 5 blocks without crossing a liquor store.

You hear police sirens at least once a week.

You hear police helicopters at least one a week.

People walk around with tattooed tears.

The local landmarks commemorate acts of violence. "That's were the Korean business owners pulled out AK's and oozies to defend their businesses during the riots." "That's where Robert Kennedy was assassinated.", "That's were the cops killed the crack head"

You know people by names like Spooky, Shorty, Snoopy, Tiny, (note to gangsters: If your name ends with a "Y", you probably need to change your name to something more intimidating.

Apartment buildings show a trace of bullets left behind by a drive by

You have a "neighborhood crackhead bum"

The "neighborhood crackhead bum" is always trying to sell you a car stereo that looks like it was just ripped out of a car

Shoes dangle from electrical wires.

Everyone greets each other by raising their chin.

Raising your chin can also be confused with an insult.