People who have grown up in North Dakota pick up a lot of habits throughout their life here. By the time they are adults, there are just some things they can never unlearn. From the way they talk to the foods they like, these are all just part of being a north Dakotan. How many of these habits do you have? Don’t deny it – probably quite a few!
- Saying “uff da” with just about anything.
Darin/Flickr A North Dakotan uses the term “uff da” about as often as something like “the” or “and.” Any sort of expression can be accompanied with uff da. Snowing a lot? Uff da! Full after a huge meal? Uff da! The list goes on - and people from North Dakota will always use it.
- Feeling free to talk to strangers cheerfully at random, whether you are in the grocery store or pumping gas - or really anything at all.
Allen/Flickr It’s weird to think about the fact that in other places, a lot of strangers just don’t interact with each other. When you go out and about in North Dakota, having strangers talk to you and doing the same back is just part of life. Why wouldn’t you? It’s always nice to have a casual chat! But such is not the case everywhere else, yet a North Dakotan would probably still do it.
- Bringing up the weather in every… single… conversation. Ever.
Jenny W/Flickr Alright, we’ll admit, we have a habit of talking about the weather no matter what the situation is or what the conversation is about. Is it nice out? Let’s talk about it. Bad storm this week? Uff da, let me tell you. Can’t wait for the next season to come? I can relate! It’s just always something that comes up, and we can’t stop ourselves.
- And speaking of weather, standing outside when it storms.
Heather/Flickr Most people would go inside when the thunder clouds start rolling in, but people from the Peace Garden State tend to gravitate to their porch to watch the distant storm. Who doesn’t love seeing the beauty and fierceness of a late summer storm? The lightning and accompanying thunder is riveting entertainment.
- Following up with “why not Minot” when someone asks “why not?”
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr “Why not Minot?” It’s a saying that goes with the magic city of Minot here in North Dakota, and it is just so catchy and rhyming that it’s hard not to say it if someone asks “why not?” Whoever thought that up is a marketing genius!
- Rolling our eyes when someone asks if the movie Fargo was accurate.
flickr/Ron Cogswell North Dakotans know that a lot of out-of-staters’ only knowledge about the state comes from this famous film. They think we all talk like that and that ND is just a flat, snowy wasteland year round. We know better, though, but we’ve probably had to deal with people asking us so much that we have an automatic “ugh” response when asked.
- Mysteriously being “sick” or unable to work or go to school on a hunting opener.
Chuck Traxler/USFWS/Flickr If it’s the first day of a hunting season, North Dakotans are itching to be out there hunting. It’s a huge part of the state and also one some of us like to wiggle out of other responsibilities for to go do. Even many schools here conveniently have a day off on certain openers!
- Bringing hot dish to a potluck.
contusion/Flickr This is the dish to bring to a potluck in North Dakota. If there isn’t any hot dish there, is it really a proper gathering? It’s just required! Even long after a North Dakotan leaves the state, they’ll probably think of bringing hot dish first and foremost if invited to a potluck. It’s just how it’s supposed to be.
North Dakota certainly has its own charm and quirks – and so do its residents! Here are some fun facts about the Peace Garden State you might not know – even if you have all of these habits and lived here your whole life.
Darin/Flickr
A North Dakotan uses the term “uff da” about as often as something like “the” or “and.” Any sort of expression can be accompanied with uff da. Snowing a lot? Uff da! Full after a huge meal? Uff da! The list goes on - and people from North Dakota will always use it.
Allen/Flickr
It’s weird to think about the fact that in other places, a lot of strangers just don’t interact with each other. When you go out and about in North Dakota, having strangers talk to you and doing the same back is just part of life. Why wouldn’t you? It’s always nice to have a casual chat! But such is not the case everywhere else, yet a North Dakotan would probably still do it.
Jenny W/Flickr
Alright, we’ll admit, we have a habit of talking about the weather no matter what the situation is or what the conversation is about. Is it nice out? Let’s talk about it. Bad storm this week? Uff da, let me tell you. Can’t wait for the next season to come? I can relate! It’s just always something that comes up, and we can’t stop ourselves.
Heather/Flickr
Most people would go inside when the thunder clouds start rolling in, but people from the Peace Garden State tend to gravitate to their porch to watch the distant storm. Who doesn’t love seeing the beauty and fierceness of a late summer storm? The lightning and accompanying thunder is riveting entertainment.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
“Why not Minot?” It’s a saying that goes with the magic city of Minot here in North Dakota, and it is just so catchy and rhyming that it’s hard not to say it if someone asks “why not?” Whoever thought that up is a marketing genius!
flickr/Ron Cogswell
North Dakotans know that a lot of out-of-staters’ only knowledge about the state comes from this famous film. They think we all talk like that and that ND is just a flat, snowy wasteland year round. We know better, though, but we’ve probably had to deal with people asking us so much that we have an automatic “ugh” response when asked.
Chuck Traxler/USFWS/Flickr
If it’s the first day of a hunting season, North Dakotans are itching to be out there hunting. It’s a huge part of the state and also one some of us like to wiggle out of other responsibilities for to go do. Even many schools here conveniently have a day off on certain openers!
contusion/Flickr
This is the dish to bring to a potluck in North Dakota. If there isn’t any hot dish there, is it really a proper gathering? It’s just required! Even long after a North Dakotan leaves the state, they’ll probably think of bringing hot dish first and foremost if invited to a potluck. It’s just how it’s supposed to be.
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