13 Habits And Quirks That Make Pennsylvanians Stand Apart From The Rest

Pennsylvania’s certainly a unique place with so much to offer. That’s why so many people who are born here stay here and so many from out-of-state come here. Pennsylvanians are friendly, welcoming people, but we also have our fair share of quirks and habits that make us stand apart from the crowd. Here are just 13 habits and quirks Pennsylvanians usually have.

1. We wear shorts all year round and...

Shorts aren’t just for summer. We Pennsylvanians aren’t afraid of a little cold weather, and you’ll see some of us in shorts and sweatshirts – maybe paired with flip flops – even during winter’s coldest days.

2. Know how to dress for four seasons in a day.

Winter doesn’t scare us because we’re used to wonky weather here in PA. We sometimes wake up in the morning to frigid temps, throw on our winter clothes, and head out the door. By the time afternoon rolls around, we’re ready for shorts and flip flops and the A/C.

3. We don’t add extra words to our sentences or...

"To be" is so overrated, and that’s why you won’t regularly hear us using them in sentences. Your room needs cleaned. The car needs washed. Sounds just as good, doesn’t it?

4. Tell people we’re from Pennsylvania, but...

It’s not tough to spot a tried and true Pennsylvanian from an out-of-stater. Those not from our beloved state will refer to it as Pennsylvania. Those of us who live here? It’s always PA.

5. We do add fries to our sandwiches and salads.

While we might delete a few words from our sentences, we have discovered the deliciousness of French fries as a topping. If you haven’t had fries on a sandwich or atop a salad, have you really lived yet?

6. We have our own language but...

Don’t worry, if you’ve not been here long, if you get a bit confused when you hear a mom tell her kids to outen the lights or to rid up their rooms. Oh, we also sweep the floors. You'll pick the lingo up in time.

7. Some of us say pop; others say soda.

Depending on where we live in the state, we either say pop or soda. Which is it for you? When it comes to preferences, our location usually determines whether we’re diehard Sheetz fans or head over heels for Wawa.

8. We celebrate a weather-predicting groundhog and...

Poor Punxsutawney Phil gets his fair share of flack after his annual "will spring come early" tradition, but he’s a beloved figure in PA. He’s so popular, in fact, that other states have even begun introducing their own weather-predicting groundhogs. Sadly, no one compares to Phil.

9. Measure distance in time, not miles.

You might want to use a GPS, especially if you’re not from around here. If you ask us how to get somewhere, we’re going to give you directions using local landmarks and time. Just drive five minutes down the highway, for example.

10. The Monday after Thanksgiving is an unofficial holiday, and...

Deer hunting’s serious business for many Pennsylvanians. The start of the season is so popular, in fact, that it’s an unofficial holiday with many schools having off the Monday after Thanksgiving.

11. Celebrate the New Year by dropping some pretty unusual things.

Yeah, it’s pretty cool to watch a ball drop on New Year’s Eve. However, we do things a little differently in PA – dropping a huge mushroom, a huge Hershey kiss, and even a big wrench to ring in the New Year. Pittsburgh even sends its ball sky high instead of dropping it.

12. We say yinz or youse, and...

You probably won’t hear y’all or you guys much in PA. Depending on where you live, you’ll likely hear yinz or youse.

13. We will always call PA home.

Some live in PA their whole lives. Others leave and come back while some leave for good. One thing all Pennsylvanians have in common? We will always consider PA our home state.

What are some common Pennsylvania habits and quirks that are endearing, or even annoying, to you? Join the conversation in the comments! Then take a peek at the 10 reasons Pennsylvania is the most unique state in the U.S.