What makes Pittsburgh so charming? Ask a bunch of Pittsburghers and you’re sure to get plenty of different responses. One thing that makes Pittsburgh so special is, of course, Pittsburghers and their quirks. Here are 11 undeniable habits that illustrate just how unique we Pittsburghers are.
- Cheering for the black and gold
Flickr/jpellgen Call it a habit. A passion. An obsession. Whatever you call it, Pittsburghers will never stop cheering for the black and gold. Pittsburgh’s undoubtedly one of the country’s most loyal and passionate sports towns, which is pretty easy to understand with three words. Steelers. Pens. Bucs.
- Adhering to the Pittsburgh left
Flickr/Tastsuhiko Miyagawa Pittsburghers can be a bit, ahem, rude on the road. (Yes, Pittsburgh was even named one of the cities with the rudest drivers.) But, the Pittsburgh left also shows us at our most considerate. What’s that? When a light turns green at an intersection, drivers going straight allow the first driver turning left to make the turn before proceeding.
- Fearing the Tunnel Monster
Flickr/Wayne Sang Deep within the Squirrel Hill Tunnel lurks a monster. Or, at least that’s what some people think. Otherwise, why would traffic suddenly come to a virtual standstill as drivers approach the dreaded tunnel?
- Wearing black and gold more than any other colors
Flickr/troy It’s probably no surprise that in such a sports-oriented town that the main colors of people’s wardrobe typically consist of black and gold. And, wearing black and gold is a pretty cool habit, wouldn’t you say?
- Asking for Heinz
Flickr/Mike Mozart You can take the Pittsburgher out of Pittsburgh. But, you know the saying, you can’t take Pittsburgh out of the Pittsburgher. No matter where we go, we buy or we ask for Heinz. Ketchup. Mustard. Pickles. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
- Giving directions using landmarks
Flickr/Joey Gannon Ask a Pittsburgher for directions. In lieu of street names, you’re likely to hear directions using landmarks like the Cathedral of Learning. That’s how we get around, after all.
- Speaking fluent Pittsburghese
Flickr/PA Resources Council Speaking fluent Pittsburghese isn’t really a habit as much as it is a part of our lifestyle. Would yinz agree with that?
- Saving our spot with a chair – any chair
Flickr/Alex Healing See that chair in the snow-cleared parking space? That means we’re claiming our parking spot after we’ve dug it out. Don’t steal the parking space or the chair.
- Waiting when we’re honked at
Flickr/Jon Olav Elkenes Maybe it’s a Pittsburgh thing or maybe it’s just a habit of American drivers. But, when we’re in the car, getting ready to pull out of the parking space, don’t honk. Otherwise, we’re sometimes forced to go even slower.
- Ordering fries as a topping
Flickr/G. Morel Where else in the country are fries considered a topping? That’s right. Pittsburghers have a charming habit of ordering fries on their sandwiches and French fries.
- Eating jumbo, chipped chopped ham, and pierogis
Flickr/Steve Wertz Mmm…mmm…Pittsburghers sure do know good food. Remember eating jumbo sandwiches when you were growing up? Or chipped chopped ham sandwiches? And, is there ever a time when pierogis aren’t the perfect meal?
Okay, yinzers, it’s your turn! What other undeniable habits of Pittsburghers would you add to this list? Then, click here to read about the 10 things that always make Pittsburghers think of home.
Flickr/jpellgen
Call it a habit. A passion. An obsession. Whatever you call it, Pittsburghers will never stop cheering for the black and gold. Pittsburgh’s undoubtedly one of the country’s most loyal and passionate sports towns, which is pretty easy to understand with three words. Steelers. Pens. Bucs.
Flickr/Tastsuhiko Miyagawa
Pittsburghers can be a bit, ahem, rude on the road. (Yes, Pittsburgh was even named one of the cities with the rudest drivers.) But, the Pittsburgh left also shows us at our most considerate. What’s that? When a light turns green at an intersection, drivers going straight allow the first driver turning left to make the turn before proceeding.
Flickr/Wayne Sang
Deep within the Squirrel Hill Tunnel lurks a monster. Or, at least that’s what some people think. Otherwise, why would traffic suddenly come to a virtual standstill as drivers approach the dreaded tunnel?
Flickr/troy
It’s probably no surprise that in such a sports-oriented town that the main colors of people’s wardrobe typically consist of black and gold. And, wearing black and gold is a pretty cool habit, wouldn’t you say?
Flickr/Mike Mozart
You can take the Pittsburgher out of Pittsburgh. But, you know the saying, you can’t take Pittsburgh out of the Pittsburgher. No matter where we go, we buy or we ask for Heinz. Ketchup. Mustard. Pickles. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Flickr/Joey Gannon
Ask a Pittsburgher for directions. In lieu of street names, you’re likely to hear directions using landmarks like the Cathedral of Learning. That’s how we get around, after all.
Flickr/PA Resources Council
Speaking fluent Pittsburghese isn’t really a habit as much as it is a part of our lifestyle. Would yinz agree with that?
Flickr/Alex Healing
See that chair in the snow-cleared parking space? That means we’re claiming our parking spot after we’ve dug it out. Don’t steal the parking space or the chair.
Flickr/Jon Olav Elkenes
Maybe it’s a Pittsburgh thing or maybe it’s just a habit of American drivers. But, when we’re in the car, getting ready to pull out of the parking space, don’t honk. Otherwise, we’re sometimes forced to go even slower.
Flickr/G. Morel
Where else in the country are fries considered a topping? That’s right. Pittsburghers have a charming habit of ordering fries on their sandwiches and French fries.
Flickr/Steve Wertz
Mmm…mmm…Pittsburghers sure do know good food. Remember eating jumbo sandwiches when you were growing up? Or chipped chopped ham sandwiches? And, is there ever a time when pierogis aren’t the perfect meal?
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