By Jasmine Campbell

So the most rib-filled, potato salad and hot dog rolling holiday of the year is upon us. Independence Day is probably one of the most highly anticipated holidays for obvious reasons. You get to kick it with friends and family and for many cookout attendees, you get to eat, drink and be merry at multiple locations for free ninety-nine. In addition to the grub, you have the 5$ nut crackers that the bootleggers tote around in coolers all day for your consumption. Bottom line, nothing beats a great cookout. But you have to know proper bbq etiquette before you hit the scene this Wednesday. Get schooled below.

Lesson One: How To Crash A Cookout

"Poetic Justice"

Remember that scene from Poetic Justice where you decided that you would crash a random cookout in your adult life? We do. Justice and Lucky already made us want to find a shorty to fall in love with on a road trip. But they took it to another level when they moseyed into a family reunion perpetrating like they were somebody’s nephew. When you think about it, it was actually a smart idea. Just pick a common older name like Mike and say he’s your uncle. Simple as that.

Lesson Two: How to Make The Fam Respect Your Crib At The BBQ

"The Cookout"

The cookout was a classic film laced with cameos from our very own DJ Enuff and Wendy Williams. When Todd Anderson is chosen as the No. 1 NBA draft pick and is signed to play for $30 million, he soon realizes his life is never going to be the same again. So, in an attempt at normality, Todd throws an old-fashioned neighborhood.

Lesson Three: Do Not Announce The Food

"Boyz N The Hood"

Everybody knows that once the food is ready, the last thing you want to do is make an announcement. People are liable to be stampede and a brawl could break out. Its best to put the food out and retreat slowly from the table. Ya’ll remember what happened in Boyz N The Hood…

Lesson Four: Just Cuz The Drinks Are Free, Doesn’t Mean Get Drunk

"The Brothers"

Booze are a must wherever 10 or more are gathered. But we all know that the heat and liquor has a way of turning the cookout into a boxing ring. Don’t be this lady. Beefing with strangers while under the influence is never the wave.

Other Important Do's and Don'ts: 

• Don’t bring a gang of people and show up with one dish.
• Don’t eat if you didn’t bring a dish to pass. Chips and Soda do not count as a dish.
• Do not bring food with you if you don’t want others to partake. It’s a cookout.
• If no one eats it, don’t take it home. It now belongs to the host.
• Don’t get too drunk.
• Don’t over stay your welcome.  When the host comes out in a head scarf and house shoes, its time for you to go.
• Don’t come too early. If it says 2-10 that means 2-10. 
• Watch your kids at the cookout.  Just because there’s other kids doesn’t mean let yours run wild.
• Vegetarians—bring your own veggie stuff to throw on the grill. Nobodys catering to that nonsense.
• If your baby’s mother is bringing your kid to the cookout, don’t show up with your new girlfriend unless you want to start something.
• If you're beefing with a relative, get that out the way before the cookout.
• Don’t touch the grill if you’re not the cook.
• If the cookout is in the yard, stay in that designated area---not the host’s house.
• Don’t wear heels. Period.
• Limit yourself to a two plate maximum. Pile it up if you need to. But the third plate will look sus.
• If you don’t have the skills, don’t step up to be the dj OR just stream our 4th of July All Mix Weekend here. 
• Don’t bring that ratchet friend with you to the family cookout.
• Don’t bring your man to the cookout, if you don’t want him to be grilled.
• Don’t bring you’re your girl if you’re insecure.
• If you make a mess, clean it up.
• Don't try a new ingredient to your best dish at the cookout.  Save that for home.  
• Dont bring left overs--yes, people do that.