New York City almost lost its doormen this spring. Thirty-four thousand of them threatened to walk off the job before a new contract saved them in April, days before a strike would have hit thousands of buildings. Doormen say the job starts the second someone walks through the lobby door, long before anyone says a…
A black-and-white rerun flickers on during a family dinner in Erie, and somebody’s dad repeats the punchline out loud a half-second before the actor on screen gets there. He meant it, back in the day. The kids at the table just look at each other. These are the 1960s phrases that turn a family dinner…
Ever hear a South Carolina Bojangles regular call the place by its full name? Neither have we. Regulars shorten it to “Bo’s,” and a cashier can usually clock a first-timer by the pronunciation of the fast food chain’s full name alone. These are the habits that separate a South Carolina Bojangles regular from a first-timer….
A 1998 survey of Oklahoma speakers found that a third of them used “y’all” to address just one person, not a group. Strict Southern grammar has a blunt word for that move. A mistake. These are the Southern sayings Georgians keep using wrong without ever realizing it. 1. Can’t Never Could Georgians who grew up…
Florida elementary schoolers have raised more than $2 million putting their own crayon-and-marker art on license plates that end up bolted to a stranger’s bumper. Grown adults drive around with a fifth grader’s manatee drawing bolted to their bumper. Only someone who sat through Florida public school thinks that’s the most normal thing in the…
Tennessee borders eight other states, tied with Missouri for more neighbors than any state in the country. Certain foods and drinks locals consume change at nearly every one of those lines. A dish that’s second nature in Memphis can draw a blank stare two hours up the road in Nashville. Neither one means much once…
Ohio flies the only state flag in the country that isn’t a rectangle, and state law spells out how to fold it. Growing up around that kind of state pride leaves marks. These are the signs you grew up in Ohio, no matter where you live now. 1. Answering O-H Without Thinking Somebody shouts O-H…
The Zaxby’s closest to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium starts backing up almost an hour before kickoff. Regulars already know their order by the time they reach the intercom. Everybody else is still reading the menu board. These are the habits that separate a South Carolina Zaxby’s regular from a first-timer. 1. Ordering the Big Zax Snak…
A new hire on her first morning at a Sheboygan insurance office asks a coworker where the water fountain is. He points down the hall. “Bubbler’s by the copier. Come here once, and I’ll show you where we keep the coffee.” She smiles and nods, and understands maybe half of it. These are the things…
Cactus, sunshine, and not much else is the Arizona many tourists picture before they land. The reality comes with many surprises, some of which could send you to the hospital. These are the things that confuse first-time visitors to Arizona. Note: This is general information, not medical or emergency advice. 1. Arizona Skips Daylight Saving…
