10 Foolproof Ways To Spot An Imposter In Pittsburgh

Pittsburghers are a pretty unique bunch, wouldn't you agree? We speak our own language, have our own little quirks, and our own traditions. That can make it pretty tough for a newcomer to the Burgh to acclimate. Yinzers are always so friendly and welcoming to those new to the city, but there are a few ways to spot an imposter in Pittsburgh. Here are 10.

Imposters:

1. Don’t understand Pittsburghese.

Even if you don't speak Pittsburghese, you can certainly understand it if you're a longtime Pittsburgher. Here's a great way to test for an imposter: "Go red up your room and sweep the floors." If they look at you like you're speaking another language, well...

2. Ask for a soda.

That's a pretty easy one. We, yinzers, order, buy, and drink "pop." Soda's used by the Eastern side of the state, not us.

3. Don’t adhere to the Pittsburgh left.

We may have been voted the city with the rudest drivers in the nation. But, that doesn't mean we can't be considerate from time to time. Like with the Pittsburgh left. When the light turns green and we're at an intersection, we let the first car turning left to make that left before we proceed through the light.

4. Give directions based on miles, not time or landmarks.

Give directions based on how far away a place is? Surely you jest. Nope. We use time and landmarks to help people, including ourselves, get where they're going. Drive 20 minutes down Route 22 til you get to that old gas station. You get the idea.

5. Don’t own a Terrible Towel and…

If you're a Pittsburgher, you have at least one Terrible Towel. Even if you're not a big Steelers fan.

6. Wear gear from one of those teams.

We're die-hard Steelers fans. You're just giving yourself away as an imposter if you're wearing Patriots, Ravens, or Browns gear.

7. Don’t know why everything doesn't close when it snows.

What's a little snow? Pfft. You'll find Pittsburghers brave the snowy and icy roads even during the middle of a snowstorm. The only time you won't see us on the roads? When the city literally shuts down during a blizzard, like the one way back in 1993.

8. Don’t know how to pronounce Monongahela, Duquesne, or Zelienople.

Monongahela, Duquesne, Zelienople. The names just roll naturally off of our tongues. But, we've certainly heard those names butchered by someone not quite as familiar with the city.

9. Don’t eat fries on their sandwiches and salads.

Nothing tastes better wedged between slices of bread or atop a salad than golden French fries. The trend of fries and coleslaw on a sandwich - a Primanti Brothers' creation - is a Burgh thing.

10. Ask for Hunt’s ketchup or French’s mustard.

Hunt's Ketchup? French's Mustard? Really? Not in Pittsburgh. We live in Heinz country. Heinz ketchup, mustard, tomato juice. Let's not forget Heinz Field, Heinz Hall, and the Heinz History Center. Ordering anything else is, well, unheard of.

What would you add to the list of how to spot an imposter in Pittsburgh? On that note, here are 11 things longtime Pittsburghers wish they could tell newcomers.