16 Ways To Recognize Someone From Idaho

1. They dress for function over fashion -- and it isn't always pretty.

Layers, tough shoes, pattern blocking... the whole works. Gucci shoes and Coach bags don't help us traverse mountain trails, face Idaho's spastic weather changes, or wade through stable muck.

2. Their hair is always a mess.

Joe St. Pierre/Flickr

So much wind. Honestly.

3. They're genuinely confused when you tell them that Idaho is flat, boring, and/or has nothing to do.

Debbie Berger/Flickr

Our state is basically a giant playground. What do you mean boring?

4. They appear to experience physical, mental, and emotional trauma at the sight of new buildings going up.

Benny B Photography/Flickr

To an Idahoan, construction means imminent disaster and a threat to our precious landscape. The moment orange signs start going up, visions of New York start flashing through our heads and it feels like our hearts are being ripped open.

5. Their relationship to Californians is... complicated, at best.

Narux26/Flickr

Call it what you will: a strong aversion to, dislike of, slight malice towards, distrust of... Just don't be comin' in here with your lack of driving skills, "new money," and swanky sunglasses and think you can trash our environment. This isn't LA.

6. We're experts at dodging potholes, animals in the road, and, of course, avoiding collisions with crazy California drivers.

_chrisUK/Flickr

But most of us started driving before we were even 14, so we've had some extra practice.

7. They're super trusting. They might leave their keys in the car, house doors wide open, or even let precious equipment sit outside overnight because they trust that it'll still be there in the morning.

Alan Levine/Flickr

Don't look at us like we're weird.

8. They don't need the flashiest, newest technology to have a good time.

Sarah H/Flickr

Give us a fishing pole, a day in the mountains, a few close friends, or a project to work on and we'll be happy as can be.

9. They might get moderately offended if you ask them about potatoes.

Slice of Chic/Flickr

Yes, we grow them -- a lot of them, in fact. But most Idahoans have never even seen a potato field. In Southern Idaho, for instance, you're far more likely to see onion trucks and sugar beets barreling down the road.

10. If you quote, reference, or otherwise ask them about Napoleon Dynamite, this is the response you'll get.

Matt/Flickr

More than likely they'll ignore the conversation entirely simply for the pointless redundancy. We've heard all the jokes. ALL of them.

11. We have better taste in steak than you do, and hold firm to the idea that meat should be served in large portions, without frills.

C.C. Chapman/Flickr

Meat should be served with a side of beef and garnished with... more beef.

12. They'll give you a strange look for running to the store multiple times per day or week. Why would you buy something from the store when you can make it, grow it, and/or fix it yourself?