What the State You Grew Up in Says About You

Every state has its own distinctive culture and traditions.

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Whether you put fry sauce on everything or would never dream of putting beans in your chili, every state has its own quirks and regional proclivities. Here's how to tell if you grew up in...

Megan Tatem
1 of 50

You plan everything around college football schedules.

You've visited the statue honoring the boll weevil.

You've eaten your barbecue with white sauce at some point.

Megan Tatem
2 of 50

It's no big deal to see a moose in your driveway or on Main Street.

You've ever asked the question "the reds in yet?"

You never had the day off school because of snow.

Megan Tatem
3 of 50

The only "tree" in your front yard is a saguaro.

You feel cold when it dips to 85 degrees.

You know what to do during a haboob.

Megan Tatem
4 of 50

You know float trips are better than a day at the beach.

You don't bat an eye at the idea of rotary tiller or outhouse races.

You know how to call those Hogs (and it doesn't involve pigs).

Megan Tatem
5 of 50

You didn't know there was such a thing as "seasonal produce."

You'd never use the words Cali or Frisco (or worse, San Fran).

Earthquakes below a 5.0 on the Richter Scale barely phase you.

Megan Tatem
6 of 50

Directions to anywhere always includes "toward" the mountains or "away from" the mountains.

When you go anywhere else, the air feels sticky.

It will always be Mile High to you.

Megan Tatem
7 of 50

You know it's called a grinder, not a sub.

You eat butter, not mayo, on your lobster rolls.

The Huskies are your pride and joy, even if you know nothing about them.

Megan Tatem
8 of 50

You know what Punkin Chunkin is and why it deserves a world championship competition.

Sales tax upsets you.

Slippery dumplings are the only kind you eat.

Megan Tatem
9 of 50

You don't notice sweat.

You dread bug season but you don't mind when a lizard gets indoors.

You know a good parking spot involves shade, not proximity.

Megan Tatem
10 of 50

Besides water, you drink only sweet tea or Coke.

You know how to bark like a Dawg.

You know that no other state does biscuits and gravy, pecan pie or fried green tomatoes better.

Megan Tatem
11 of 50

You know it's called shave ice, not a snow cone.

You know where to get the best plate lunches.

You always call them slippers, not flip flops.

Megan Tatem
12 of 50

You know fry sauce goes with almost everything.

It upsets you when someone puts a "Z" sound in Boise.

Your hometown's elevation is greater than its population.

Megan Tatem
13 of 50

You would never even think of putting ketchup on your hot dog.

It will always be the Sears Tower to you.

You've wondered why other states don't have a Casimir Pulaski Day.

Megan Tatem
14 of 50

You made your pick long ago: Hoosier or Boilermaker.

You wouldn't dare order anything at the state fair that wasn't deep fried.

You believe pork tenderloin and sugar cream pie taste like home.

Megan Tatem
15 of 50

You know puppy chow isn't for puppies and the Original Maid Rite is the best sandwich ever.

You know to yell "Padiddle!" when you see a car with one headlight out.

You've participate in or watched RAGBRAI, the best bicycle ride in the world.

Megan Tatem
16 of 50

You can't find bierocks or tomato sandwiches as good anywhere else.

You've seen the world's largest ball of twine up-close.

You prefer the Little Apple over the Big any day.

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Megan Tatem
17 of 50

You know Louisville is not pronounced "loo-iss-vil".

Everyone you know has a different recipe for burgoo.

You know it's called supper, not dinner.

Megan Tatem
18 of 50

You know how to correctly say Lafayette, Natchitoches, and Ouachita.

You know the difference between swamp pop and Zydeco.

You've ever said "save the dishes" or "making groceries".

Megan Tatem
19 of 50

You know Renys is the only store you'll ever need.

You grew up going to bean suppers and searching for fiddleheads.

You say "wicked" instead of "very" or "really".

Megan Tatem
20 of 50

You put Old Bay on almost everything.

You know the difference between a jimmy and a sally.

You have family members who still can't talk about the Colts without getting upset.

Megan Tatem
21 of 50

Everyone you know goes "down the cape" for vacation.

You know it's a frappe, not a milkshake.

You know it's easier to find a parking space in Manhattan than Harvard Square.

Megan Tatem
22 of 50

Your know what Vernors is.

You show people where you're from by pointing to your palm.

You wear tennis shoes, not sneakers.

Megan Tatem
23 of 50

You've said the phrases "you betcha" or "oh, for cute."

•You know it's a hotdish, not a casserole.

You can't wait for the state fair so you can eat your favorite food-on-a-stick.

Megan Tatem
24 of 50

You have to pick a side: Ole Miss or State.

You know comeback sauce is for lettuce (or anything fried).

You prefer your peanuts boiled.

Megan Tatem
25 of 50

You know ranch dressing tastes delicious on so many different foods.

You are well acquainted with the "Home of Throwed Rolls."

You spent summer evenings as a kid catching lightning bugs.

Megan Tatem
26 of 50

You've attended a festival celebrating buzzards, brothels, Evil Knievel or sheep.

You use landmarks, not street names, to give directions.

The only traffic jams in your area tend to involve livestock.

Megan Tatem
27 of 50

You can't understand why chili and cinnamon rolls aren't served together in other places.

You don't think it's unusual that hot dogs are shot out of a cannon at Husker games.

You know Dorothy Lynch dressing goes on almost every food imaginable.

Megan Tatem
28 of 50

You cringe when someone calls it "Nev-AH-dah."

You know the best time to go pine nut hunting.

You love the smell of sagebrush in the rain.

Megan Tatem
29 of 50
New Hampshire

You remember where you where the day the Old Man of the Mountain fell down.

You know Fluffernutter sandwiches are a lunchbox staple.

You've been fishing for hornpouts.

Megan Tatem
30 of 50
New Jersey

You go "down the shore," not "to the beach."

You've never really learned how to pump your own gas.

Breakfast isn't complete without pork roll or Taylor ham.

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