10 Foolproof Ways To Make Someone From North Dakota Cringe

What stereotypes are there about North Dakota?

There are quite a few stereotypes about North Dakota. Whether they are true or not is another store, but some area. For example, many people think about harsh winters when they think of ND. This one would be considered true by many - winters here aren't for everyone. With temperatures reaching well below zero and windchills even further down than that, plus average yearly snowfall around 30 inches, it can be tough to deal with. One stereotype that isn't true is that the entire state is flat and full of nothing to see or do. While areas like the Red River Valley are wide open and much of the state is used for agriculture, there are some amazing spots to visit and truly unique, rugged landscape. The colorful badlands in the west are a great example, and the rolling hills and forests of the Turtle Mountains in the north are another.

What unique words and phrases do people in North Dakota say?

If you want to learn some popular phrases in North Dakota, you've come to the right place. North Dakotans share a lot of popular phrases with other midwestern states. If someone offers you some "puppy chow," don't assume it's for the dog. Puppy chow is a popular and delicious snack (for humans) with chocolate and powdered sugar involved, so it definitely isn't for dogs. You might hear a North Dakotan say "oh for cute." Though strange-sounding to some out-of-staters, it just means something is adorable. One of the most common phrases is "uff da!" Uff da can be used in many ways, such as coming home from a long day. Bumping into someone else, looking outside and seeing the weather is less than stellar, tripping over something... all of these are perfectly valid times to say "uff da."

Do North Dakotans have any strange habits?

Here are some more quirky things about North Dakota and the people that live there. North Dakotans are known to be pretty nice, if not extra nice or "North Dakota Nice," as they say. It's not every state where you expect to have a pleasant chat with strangers at the store, have people be quick to offer a helping hand if you're stranded on the side of the road or need a jump for your car in the winter, or simply smile and say hello to everyone you pass even if you've never seen them before in your life. There are many gravel country roads in North Dakota and you seldom pass another car (or tractor), but when you do, it is customary for North Dakotans to do a "two fingers off the wheel wave" to the other driver, regardless if you know them or not. Why? I'm not sure, but if you don't, you definitely seem like an out-of-stater.