Stereotypes aren’t always a bad thing. Sure, there are some that are beyond hurtful and should always be avoided. Then again, there are some that just make us chuckle in agreement. Here are 11 totally true stereotypes Pennsylvanians should just accept as fact.
- We know a real cheesesteak when we taste it.
Flickr/Kim That’s right. Never doubt that a Pennsylvanian - especially one from Philly - can tell the difference between an authentic cheesesteak and a hack. No less should be expected from the city where the cheesesteak was born.
- We can eat cold pizza any time of the day.
Flickr/Peter O’Connor Mmm…mmm…virtual hands up if you’re one of those Pennsylvanians who loves cold pizza? Yup. We can eat it pretty much any time of the day but nothing beats cold pizza for breakfast.
- We measure distance in time, not miles and…
Flickr/Christine and David Schmitt What does it matter how many miles we are from our destination? We measure distance in time. Drive 20 minutes down the road, not 20 miles, right?
- We give directions using landmarks.
Flickr/Anthony Citrano Remembering street names - like recalling the name of someone you just met - can be pretty challenging, especially when you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry. Ask a Pennsylvanian for directions and we’ll make it easier for you. We refer to landmarks, rather than street names, when we give directions.
- We run the air conditioner and the heater on the same day.
Flickr/Chris D. 2006 Only in Pennsylvania can you experience all four seasons in a single day. And, we Pennsylvanians, certainly have plenty of practice running the air conditioner and the heater on the same day.
- We watch outhouse and lawnmower races and…
Flickr/Kenya If someone laughs and says Pennsylvanians watch outhouse races and lawnmower races? Proudly nod your head yes. Dushore Outhouse Races, anyone?
- Shop at mud sales.
Flickr/Ted Van Pelt What’s better than shopping at a mud sale? You help the local fire department and find some pretty good deals at the same time. Mud sales are particularly popular in Lancaster where you can find a ton of Amish goods.
- We are experts at missing potholes…
Flickr/roccocell Some say the best season in Pennsylvania is winter. Why? The snow fills in all of those pesky potholes. During the rest of the year, we’ve all become quite adept at maneuvering to avoid potholes - even at the last second.
- Celebrate the beginning of deer hunting season with a day off and…
Flickr/mo1229 Yep. The beginning of deer hunting season is such a big deal in Pennsylvania that schoolkids get the day off of school.
- Have all swerved to avoid hitting a deer at least once in our lives.
Flickr/thriol We don’t just know how to avoid those dreaded potholes. We’re also experts at swerving to avoid hitting those graceful deer who seemingly dart into the middle of the road out of nowhere.
- We call it PA.
Flickr/Andy Arthur Do you know any other state that’s referred to by its abbreviation? Of course not. Only Pennsylvanians can get away with calling our state by its abbreviation - PA - and it still sounds natural.
What other stereotypes do you think belong on this list? Share below! Or, click here to read the 13 phrases that will make you swear Pennsylvanians speak a different language.
Flickr/Kim
That’s right. Never doubt that a Pennsylvanian - especially one from Philly - can tell the difference between an authentic cheesesteak and a hack. No less should be expected from the city where the cheesesteak was born.
Flickr/Peter O’Connor
Mmm…mmm…virtual hands up if you’re one of those Pennsylvanians who loves cold pizza? Yup. We can eat it pretty much any time of the day but nothing beats cold pizza for breakfast.
Flickr/Christine and David Schmitt
What does it matter how many miles we are from our destination? We measure distance in time. Drive 20 minutes down the road, not 20 miles, right?
Flickr/Anthony Citrano
Remembering street names - like recalling the name of someone you just met - can be pretty challenging, especially when you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry. Ask a Pennsylvanian for directions and we’ll make it easier for you. We refer to landmarks, rather than street names, when we give directions.
Flickr/Chris D. 2006
Only in Pennsylvania can you experience all four seasons in a single day. And, we Pennsylvanians, certainly have plenty of practice running the air conditioner and the heater on the same day.
Flickr/Kenya
If someone laughs and says Pennsylvanians watch outhouse races and lawnmower races? Proudly nod your head yes. Dushore Outhouse Races, anyone?
Flickr/Ted Van Pelt
What’s better than shopping at a mud sale? You help the local fire department and find some pretty good deals at the same time. Mud sales are particularly popular in Lancaster where you can find a ton of Amish goods.
Flickr/roccocell
Some say the best season in Pennsylvania is winter. Why? The snow fills in all of those pesky potholes. During the rest of the year, we’ve all become quite adept at maneuvering to avoid potholes - even at the last second.
Flickr/mo1229
Yep. The beginning of deer hunting season is such a big deal in Pennsylvania that schoolkids get the day off of school.
Flickr/thriol
We don’t just know how to avoid those dreaded potholes. We’re also experts at swerving to avoid hitting those graceful deer who seemingly dart into the middle of the road out of nowhere.
Flickr/Andy Arthur
Do you know any other state that’s referred to by its abbreviation? Of course not. Only Pennsylvanians can get away with calling our state by its abbreviation - PA - and it still sounds natural.
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