Some habits stay with you long after you move away. Ask anyone who grew up in North Dakota, and they may admit to a few. Here are the little giveaways that point back to a North Dakota childhood. 1. Half-Tank Rule The half-tank rule starts out as plain survival advice, and it never leaves you…
The first cool morning of the season feels like big news in Florida. You may reach for a sweater you haven’t worn in months, and you won’t be the only one. Here’s what many Floridians do when that morning finally arrives. 1. Buying the First Winter Coat Winter coats fly off store shelves the first…
Many Oregonians have learned to live with rain. Some of the habits that come with that are easy to miss, even for the people who have them. Here’s a look at the small rain habits that mark someone as a lifelong local. 1. Skipping the Umbrella You rarely pull an umbrella out of the closet…
Picture your first soak in an Idaho hot spring: steam, a quiet pool, and no one telling you what to do. That calm often comes from habits regulars share without a sign. Here’s what they expect from you, even though nobody writes it down. Note: This is general information, not medical or safety advice. Water…
A label that sounds simple can mean something very different once your money is on the line. Here’s what some terms and conditions really mean for Floridians, in plain English. Note: This is general information, not legal, property, or insurance advice. Rules and requirements are subject to change. 1. No-Fault Car Insurance Florida’s “no-fault” car…
Some words can date you faster than a birth certificate. Many Ohioans who were young in the 1960s used these words every day. Now they mostly get confused looks from younger folks. Here are some 1960s words that don’t make sense anymore. 1. Groovy Teenagers reached for groovy the way people reach for a thumbs-up…
A waiter asks, “What are youse having?” and it can sound like a challenge. Out-of-staters, relax. In New Jersey, it’s just how people talk. These are the New Jersey sayings that sound rude to out-of-staters but aren’t. 1. Youse “Youse” lands hard on a first-timer’s ear, like a challenge instead of a greeting. It isn’t…
Move to Iowa, and even a trip to the grocery store can raise questions. Where does that extra nickel on the receipt come from? These are the things that confuse everyone who moves to Iowa. Note: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Iowa laws, rates, and local rules are subject to change….
Coloradans don’t mean to be confusing. The words we’re about to cover here are everyday talk to them, even when they leave out-of-staters staring. These are the Colorado words and phrases that make no sense to the rest of the country. 1. 14er A 14er is Colorado’s shorthand for any peak that climbs past 14,000…
Florida has hit below zero. Tallahassee bottomed out at -2°F on February 13, 1899, the coldest reading Florida’s climate office has on record. Newcomers who picture year-round flip-flops rarely believe that number. These are the things Northerners get wrong about Florida winters. 1. The Panhandle’s Snow Record Winters don’t get much credit from newcomers, and…
