There’s no place like home and, for us, that’s Arizona. This land of grand landscapes and diverse cultures can also be a bit weird and even awkward for both newcomers and natives alike. Here are a few situations that always seem to make for an awkward moment in Arizona.

1. Correcting a newcomer’s pronunciation of Arizona words.
Neal Wellons/Flickr
Arizona’s history stems from the intersection of Indigenous and Spanish cultures, so some words like "gila," "saguaro," and "javelina" seem pretty normal to us. However, it’s not uncommon to find yourself telling someone the "g" in saguaro sounds like an "h."
2. Telling people that it does indeed snow in Arizona.
Michael Seljos/Flickr
Oh, the number of times I’ve had to tell people this! It may not snow all over the state and in massive quantities but snow does fall on our mountains and towns during the winter.
3. Or telling people that you aren’t from the desert.
Casey Myers/Flickr
When you grew up in a place that had four seasons, pine trees, and mild summer temperatures, it’s always difficult explaining that you aren’t from the desert. Also, explaining that you’re not used to those crazy hot temperatures is a bit awkward.
4. Inevitably getting into an argument over whether this is a dust storm or haboob.
Broderick Delaney/Flickr
Who knew wind blowing dirt around would cause such passionate debates! Team Dust Storm is pretty passionate and will judge you for which term you choose to use.
5. Explaining why you run outside to observe or photograph a quick rainstorm or snow falling.
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
I never knew this was weird until someone pointed it out. We don’t get much precipitation around here, okay?

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6. That instance when you can’t drive your car properly because it was sitting out in the sun.
Christina VanMeter/Flickr
It doesn’t take long for the heat to make your steering wheel feel like you’re trying to hold the hot part of a curling iron. Even just a couple hours on a warm day can feel like torture.
7. Trying to walk barefoot on the concrete in summer.
Christopher/Flickr
It doesn’t take long to realize that was a bad idea but then you’re stuck with deciding whether to hop back to the shade or just keep going.
8. Having to explain that jumping cholla doesn’t actually jump and death from scorpion stings are rare.
John Fowler/Flickr
First, the cholla’s needles just break off ridiculously easily; sometimes all it takes is merely walking a little too close to the cactus. As for the scorpion stings, they are painful and potentially life threatening but there has only been one recorded death since 1964.
9. Explaining that a dry river is still a river.
Eric Vondy/Flickr
There may not be water flowing right now but there has been and will be at some point.
10. Defending your thoughts about Arizona politics.
Devon Christopher Adams/Flickr
I’m sure you can think of a few people or policies that are controversial. This can be awkward and even infuriating no matter where on the political spectrum your beliefs reside. Chances are, someone in that conversation is going to end up mad.
11. Deciding whether or not to trust if the cold water from the tap will really be cold.
Nic McPhee/Flickr
It’s a gamble. You can wait for the water to begin running cold but do you also want to chance wasting water in an arid state?

How many of these situations have you found yourself in? What other experiences would you add to the list?

If you’re anything like me, you probably think living in Arizona is the absolute best! Read 10 Ways Living In Arizona Ruins You For Life for some of the ways our home state spoils us.

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