Posted in South Dakota
March 17, 2017
11 Things South Dakotans Do That Seem Insane To Everyone Else
South Dakotans are a breed apart. We live in one of the most beautifully diverse places in the country, and our residents are no different. Some of the things we do might seem downright insane to people in the rest of the country, but we know that we’re totally normal. Kind of.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
The Corn Palace is man-made wonder that just can't be adequately explained to out-of-staters. It might be a little weird to spend $130,000 and countless hours nailing corn cobs on the outside of this palace every year, only to tear it all down the following year and start over, but our beloved Corn Palace is worth every bit of time and money we spend on it.
I'm sorry - algebra class and punching the clock just can't even begin to compete with the bonding we do with family and friends while hunting. Plus...fresh jerky!
This isn't New York City or Detroit, people. We know all our neighbors, and they're South Dakotans just like us...why would we need to lock our door?
What better way to hang with our friends and have some good, clean fun? The beer helps, too.
You'd think that if we were going to hold the country's largest motorcycle rally, we'd at least host it in one of our bigger cities. In fact, the population of Sturgis during the rally is almost as the same as the entire population of our state! We have to admit that we love it, though.
No, it's not pee-air. And don't give us that look. We live here. We know how to pronounce it. (It's 'peer' for those newbies who are still trying to figure it out.)
It seems like just yesterday when your kid was still watching Disney movies and playing with Barbies - now she's behind the wheel! Of course, our fourteen-year-olds can only drive with a parent or guardian, but it still seems crazy to people who don't turn over the keys until their kids are sixteen.
People in the rest of America pair their bowl of chili with some warm cornbread or a soft, fluffy dinner roll. Not us! We throw down dessert right next to our chili and eat it all at the same time!
Sure, folks in other states preserve the bounties from their gardens, but ask a New Yorker if she canned green beans this fall and she'll give you a blank look. Why would you spend hours sweating over the stove if you can buy a can of green beans from the store? Because they're better when you grow 'em and can 'em yourself, that's why!
Our friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota might do this too, but those wimps in Florida and Arizona can't believe that we don't just huddle inside by a roaring fire when it snows. South Dakotans are tough - and we teach our kids early, too. Throw on a parka and a hat and get out there!
Oh wait...did you think it was just a coincidence that her dad had his gun out to clean it when you got there? Probably not. We're easygoing folk, but don't mess with our daughters.
What are some other things that South Dakotans do that are kind of crazy? Tell us in the comments!
Even if we are a little quirky at times, here are 15 reasons my heart will always be in South Dakota.
Address: South Dakota, USA
