I’m a lifelong resident of Utah. It wasn’t until I grew up and started traveling outside the state that I realized we Utahns do some pretty weird things. They’re not necessarily bad, mind you (in fact, # 3 is downright delicious), but people from other states see these things and think, "Only in Utah!" Here are just a few of the weird things in Utah you may see if you live in our great state or are even just visiting.
1. We go to work and school when it snows.
Eight inches of new snow overnight? Grab your snow shovel and dig out your car — school is still in session and your boss expects you at the office.
2. Utahns change lanes without using a turn signal.
The little stick on the left side of your steering column? It’s used to signal to other drivers that you’re changing lanes. I’m not kidding ... this is really a thing.
3. We eat our “scones” deep fried.
Our version of scones is typically called "fry bread" in other parts of the country. When people come here and order scones, they’re surprised to get that fried, doughy goodness rather than a hard, dry little cookie. This is a welcome surprise for most because our "scones" are way better!
4. We often mispronounce “mountains” and more ...
You might think we have lots of mountains here in Utah, but if you ask a Utahn, he’ll tell you about the "mou’ns." The city of Layton is pronounced "Lay’un." Apparently, we don’t like to sound out those t’s very much.
5. Utahns marry young.
While young adults in the rest of the country are living in college dorms and enjoying the single life, Utahns are having children and buying houses while still working on their degrees.
6. Some Utahns deliberately spell their children’s names in weird ways.
I suppose Utahns figure that by spelling a name in the strangest possible way, it’s unique. Really, it just means that your child faces a lifetime of having his name misspelled.
7. We use alternative swear words.
You’ll hear fellow Utahns (even adults) cursing with words such as "Fetch," "Gosh Darn," and "Heck." We all know that you’re swearing even if you use an alternate.
8. Fashion-challenged Utahns wear shorts and flip flops when there’s three feet of snow on the ground.
Many Utahns love to wear their cargo shorts with a hoodie all winter. I guess they’re warm enough but they look kind of weird.
9. Some Utahns gather at the airport in large groups with signs and balloons.
When a missionary serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints returns home from his/her time abroad, the entire family (plus a couple dozen friends) gathers at the Salt Lake International Airport.
10. We dip our French fries into a blend of mayonnaise and ketchup.
Fry sauce! How do people in the rest of the country enjoy their fries without it?
11. We “Preciate ya so much!”
Thankful Utahns will often express their gratitude with this phrase. I think it's charming.
As a native Utahn, I find these things mostly charming — they’re what make our great state unique! What other weird things in Utah do you often see? Let us know in the comments.
If you love Utah like I do, you want to show your pride. Check out Wear Your Roots for some of the best Utah apparel.
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