18 Unwritten Rules Every Wyomingite Lives By ‘Til Death

Living in Wyoming is an entirely different experience than living anywhere else. Whether you were born and raised here or are a transplant from elsewhere, you soon realize that life here goes by an unwritten set of rules that may not fly anywhere but the Cowboy State. Need an example? These 18 tenants are a good start on the unofficial but accepted rules most Wyomingites live by.

1. There are 3 things Wyomingites will never be late for: work, church, and fishing.

In the winter, fishing sometimes gets switched out for skiing - sometimes, but not always.

2. Leave it better than you found it.

The only way to keep the spectacular Wyoming wilderness beautiful is to clean up after yourself. No, you don't have to bring a leaf blower when you go camping, but put out your campfires, pick up after yourself, and pack out what you packed in.

3. Small towns rock.

Even the biggest cities in Wyoming are considered small by other states' standards. Most people who grew up here have gotten used to small town living and wouldn't have it any other way.

4. Be neighborly.

Maybe it's because small towns tend to be close-knit, but Wyomingites are a naturally friendly lot, always willing to lend a hand when anyone needs it.

5. Coffee should be like a cowboy: hot, bold, and strong.

We have awesome coffee roasters all over the state, so Wyomingites never have to settle for inferior coffee.

6. Hats and boots go with everything...

...yes, everything.

You can't go wrong with boots!

7. Always root for the Pokes.

Through thick and thin, even when there's only one win for the entire season, we'll still stand behind our football team.

8. Horseback is a legitimate (and common) form of transportation.

Those who move here get used to seeing horses on the streets. If you grew up here, you never give it a second thought.

9. It's always 5 o'clock somewhere.

Wyomingites are usually up for a cold one, and why not? Wyoming is home to some of the most brag-worthy breweries in the country.

10. "Steak" doesn't always mean beef.

We produce some of the best beef cattle in the world, but we also have world-class game here, too. That's why it's common to see elk, venison, and even antelope on menus alongside beef. Subrule: don't over-cook it! Hit it over the head, wipe its behind, and put it on the plate.

11. We slow down for bison...

...and all of the other wildlife that meanders across the road and through our yards. Visitors marvel at getting a close-up glimpse of moose and bears, but Wyomingites are used to seeing them so frequently and within city limits that we consider them neighbors.

12. 2 months of summer is normal.

Wyoming does have four seasons, but they're not spread equitably over the calendar like they are in other areas of the country. We've become used to 8 months of winter, 1 month each of spring and fall, and we make the most out of the two months of good weather God gives us. We're also used to the snow never quite melting entirely off the mountain peaks, even in the dead of August.

13. Be prepared for anything.

That applies to all the day brings from adventure to hardship and everything in between.

14. Like the wind, snow is a fact of life in Wyoming.

An offshoot of numbers 12 and 13 above, we know winter is coming, and we're prepared. Complaining about the snow in Wyoming is like complaining about sand on the beach.

15. You gotta try the oysters.

The Rocky Mountain variety that is. Just because you live in Wyoming doesn't mean they're automatically your favorite food, but most people have tried them at least once.

16. It's always rodeo season.

There's usually a rodeo going on somewhere in Wyoming so, when you're at a loss for something to do, going to the rodeo - any rodeo - is a reliable option.

17. Everywhere is 1,000 miles from nowhere.

We have a lot of wide open space in Wyoming, and we like it that way.

18. Appreciate Wyoming every day of your life.

The beautiful outdoors, pristine wilderness, quaint and quirky little towns, and some of the nicest people on the planet - what's not to appreciate?

How many of these rules do you identify with? What others would you add to the list?