Life in Philadelphia is interesting, and it certainly leaves its mark on those of us who live here. After spending enough time here, Philadelphians develop habits that we can’t ever quite break and even establish a language all of our own. If you’re new to the city, check out these unwritten rules of Philadelphia and you’ll quickly fit into our slightly strange City of Brotherly Love.
- Never, ever try to order a “Sub.”
Flickr / Plan Philly You’ll get laughed out of the corner store if you try to order an Italian sub. They’re hoagies in this city.
- Don’t forget to set your alarm on New Year’s Day.
Flickr / The West End There’s no sleeping in allowed in Philadelphia on the first of the year! It’s time to get rowdy with the Mummers, bright and early.
- Yup, you can park on the median.
Flickr / Christopher Nobody’s really sure why, but neither the PPD or the PPA will give you a hard time for parking on the median in South Philly.
- Never question the source of a good soft pretzel.
Flickr/ Carl R. Jr. The best soft pretzels seem to come from the abyss. Grab a bag of them from some guy on the street, and enjoy.
- You can order a cheesesteak like a normal person.
Facebook / Jim’s Steaks You don’t have to stress yourself out trying to decipher the wit/witout/wiz thing - that only matters on Passayunk. Instead, skip Geno’s and Pat’s and enjoy a cheesesteak literally anywhere else.
- Avoid I-76 at all costs.
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 a.m. on a Tuesday, you’ll hit traffic. For some reason, someone once thought that a highway with a mountain on one side and a river on the other, with no room to expand, was a great idea.
- Trust the Process.
Flickr / Tim Scott Do we even know what that means anymore? Maybe it was a ruse, and they meant “the Process” was a way to start selling off Sixers tickets to hopeful fans.
- You’ve gotta love Ben Franklin.
Flickr / Jennifer Boyer Philadelphians have a weird habit of knowing stories and sayings of Ben Franklin, and we just love the guy. Of course, the fact that we run into him anytime we’re in Old City probably helps.
- Pizza should be taken seriously.
Facebook / Lorenzo and Sons Don’t mess around with Domino’s or frozen pizza in Philly — that’s a cardinal sin.
- Don’t write off the “tourist traps.”
Flickr / Maciek Luklo Unlike many cities where the locals avoid the touristy areas, we really do enjoy walking through Old City and taking in the sights.
- If someone asks for a lager, they mean a Yuengling, and nothing else.
Flickr / Steven Warren Don’t try handing them some craft brewed lager from your local spot… we’re only looking for our version of lager.
What’s your best unwritten rule of Philadelphia? Share it in the comments below, and let’s bond over all those things that we just “get”.
Flickr / Plan Philly
You’ll get laughed out of the corner store if you try to order an Italian sub. They’re hoagies in this city.
Flickr / The West End
There’s no sleeping in allowed in Philadelphia on the first of the year! It’s time to get rowdy with the Mummers, bright and early.
Flickr / Christopher
Nobody’s really sure why, but neither the PPD or the PPA will give you a hard time for parking on the median in South Philly.
Flickr/ Carl R. Jr.
The best soft pretzels seem to come from the abyss. Grab a bag of them from some guy on the street, and enjoy.
Facebook / Jim’s Steaks
You don’t have to stress yourself out trying to decipher the wit/witout/wiz thing - that only matters on Passayunk. Instead, skip Geno’s and Pat’s and enjoy a cheesesteak literally anywhere else.
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM
It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 a.m. on a Tuesday, you’ll hit traffic. For some reason, someone once thought that a highway with a mountain on one side and a river on the other, with no room to expand, was a great idea.
Flickr / Tim Scott
Do we even know what that means anymore? Maybe it was a ruse, and they meant “the Process” was a way to start selling off Sixers tickets to hopeful fans.
Flickr / Jennifer Boyer
Philadelphians have a weird habit of knowing stories and sayings of Ben Franklin, and we just love the guy. Of course, the fact that we run into him anytime we’re in Old City probably helps.
Facebook / Lorenzo and Sons
Don’t mess around with Domino’s or frozen pizza in Philly — that’s a cardinal sin.
Flickr / Maciek Luklo
Unlike many cities where the locals avoid the touristy areas, we really do enjoy walking through Old City and taking in the sights.
Flickr / Steven Warren
Don’t try handing them some craft brewed lager from your local spot… we’re only looking for our version of lager.
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