12 Things People From Oregon Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners

Oregon is a very special place; it's unlike anywhere else on earth. For that reason, there are some things about our day-to-day life that people from out of town don't quite understand. From (sometimes) pumping our own gas to our unyielding love of craft beer and specialty coffee, here are a few stereotypes about Oregon that often require some explanation to non-Oregonians. Whether you've lived here just a few years or your entire life, chances are you'll identify with at least a few of the following Oregon traits:

1. We're serious about our craft beer.

There are tons of amazing microbreweries all over Oregon, making incredible, unique beer. So, it's really no surprise that 9 times out of 10 we'd choose a local craft beer over an import. When it comes to living in Oregon, an appreciation of craft beer belongs at the top of the list.

2. And coffee, too.

Just as Oregonians love their craft beer, the same goes with craft coffee. We have countless wonderful cafes and coffee roasters all over Oregon, including the famous Stumptown Coffee, based in Portland. While our neighbors to the north are often considered to be the coffee aficionados of the U.S., we in Oregon know the real truth.

3. We don't always have to pump our own gas.

It may seem strange to people who aren't from here (or New Jersey), but it's actually normal to have an attendant pump your gas in Oregon. In fact, until relatively recently, pumping your own gas was illegal. Depending on the county you're in, you might be greeted by an attendant that will help you out.

4. We really, truly appreciate the beauty of nature.

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone from Oregon who doesn't absolutely love the beauty of the state. From the mountains to the coast, Oregon is blessed with a treasure trove of natural wonders.

5. We recycle.

Oregonians tend to be a pretty eco-friendly bunch. Most of us do our best to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost, and we expect that you will too. In fact, Oregon was the second state to pass legislation pass legislation restricting single-use plastic straws throughout the state.

6. We wear sweaters at the beach.

The Oregon coast is incredibly beautiful, but it certainly isn't a tropical paradise. We tend to wear sweaters at the beach, as opposed to swim suits. However, if you can brave the chilly water, power to you!

7. Not everyone in Oregon lives in Portland.

This one seems obvious, but sometimes it just needs to be said outright. Portland is definitely the most well-known place in Oregon, but that doesn't mean it's all we have to offer. Portland is a wonderful city, but you'd be missing out to ignore some of the smaller towns and rural communities in our great state.

8. Even as adults, we love to play outside.

Skiing, hiking, fishing, windsurfing, rock climbing, kayaking; you name it, we love it! One major Oregon trait is a cultivated work-life balance. That means working hard to support ourselves and our loved ones but also taking time to enjoy all that our state has to offer.

9. We don't do sales tax.

That's right! There's no sales tax in Oregon, so what you see in the store will actually cost the number on the price tag. On the other hand, Oregonians also lament the fact that the state has some of the highest personal tax rates in the country.

10. We have amazing food carts.

Often, people overlook food carts when visiting a city. However, many cities in Oregon have tons of delicious food carts that are just as good as a restaurant.

11. Oregon has it all, geologically speaking.

From the mountains to deserts, beaches, forests, and plains, you can travel through all kinds of varied landscapes without ever leaving the state. It's really no wonder that lots of stereotypes about Oregon involve the outdoors.

12. If you spend too much time here, you may never want to leave.

Be warned: Oregon is almost too good to be true. As one of the most beautiful states in the country, Oregon attracts folks from all across the world who eventually love it so much, they decide to make the move. And who could blame them?

What are your thoughts on these stereotypes about Oregon? Are there any that you identify with, or perhaps some that you might add to the list? Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below.

For related content, be sure to check out these 10 words and phrases only Oregonians understand.