Then it has to be SE USA, such as South Carolina (not bad, even on the coast), Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or egads, Florida! Great White shark attacks are most common off the coast of Florida, considering just those states. We can pin it down even closer, if you describe the BBQ.
Of course, considering were you are from, you might consider California hot. It also has poisonous snakes, bugs, BBQ, and Great White sharks. However, it is not the way the people talk that is so odd, it is the people.
So, out on a limb, I don't think it is California.
John