13 Strange Habits Every Kansan Will Defend To The Death

Every state has a list of odd things they all happen to do, but Kansas is one of those states where you don't expect anything too crazy from us. However, that doesn't mean we don't have a few strange habits we've learned over the years. How many of these apply to you or your friends?

1. Talking to strangers.

Maybe you haven't heard of being friendly, but having a small conversation with others helps pass along a good mood and make the day a little less lonely. What's wrong with being polite?

2. Gifting casseroles for special occasions.

Funerals, new babies, and even sometimes weddings are excuses to make a casserole for someone who probably doesn't want to cook at the moment.

3. Helping out someone on the side of the road.

We understand your concern for safety, but we'd rather get someone off the shoulder than let them freeze or get in an accident. If you've got car trouble in Kansas, odds are someone will stop for you.

4. Speeding on country highways when you're alone.

Yeah, we know speeding is bad and dangerous, but sometimes when there's no one else around, it's hard not to let your speed creep up a bit.

5. Spending your summer at the lake.

Whether it's camping, fishing, hunting, or just swimming, there's really no reason not to spend time at the lake every summer. They're usually free, so why not? It's not as boring as you think it is, promise.

6. Following the storm instead of hiding from it.

There's nothing so exhilarating as following a potentially huge storm and trying to get that perfect shot of a tornado.

7. Being dedicated to only one grocery store or bank location.

For those of you who don't think each one is different, you'll never understand.

8. Waving to everyone in small towns on the road.

Again, what's so weird about being polite and greeting people?

9. Our small obsession with puppy chow/muddy buddies.

If you say got a better party treat, you're lying. Recipes for this snack come in all flavors, and they're all delicious.

10. Putting ranch on more than just salads.

I may not be a huge fan of this sauce, but Kansans and midwesterners alike are a little obsessed with putting this on everything from pizza to chicken nuggets.

11. "We don't have an accent, you do!"

This is a common argument among out-of-staters but there's a big reason for why we don't see ourselves as having accents; we have pieces of many different accents mashed together. That distinct accent that tells you where someone is from? You won't find that here. Being in the middle means our speech is as varied as our people, and that's how we like it!

12. Hour-long conversations about the weather and our beloved Farmers' Almanac.

You can't talk to anyone in Kansas without the weather coming up, which is normal, considering we seem to have all four seasons every other week.

13. "Stuck behind a tractor." is a genuine excuse for lateness during harvest seasons.

You can't just plan a route around these guys, most of the time this is the only way you can get to work anyways. Might as well take in the view while you're stuck at 20mph!

We love our state to pieces, and being a Kansan means kindness and loving nature. Why not check out these hidden Kansas attractions and cross them off your bucket list this weekend?