10 Things People From Washington Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners
Have you ever found yourself in a scenario where you have to explain a habit, trend, or general way of life to an out-of-towner? It seems as though the things that strike us as normal can inspire some questions from non-Washingtonians. To be fair, if you didn’t live in our beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest, you too might find our way of life to be equal parts strange and fascinating. Truth be told, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Without further ado, here are some stereotypes about Washington that always seem to require some explanation.
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And no, we don't just mean Starbucks... though rest assured, we've got plenty of opinions on that. We conduct business meetings, catch up with old friends, write and read in coffee shops. We all have our favorite brew. Even those of us who don't like coffee typically have an alternative hot drink of choice. When it comes to living in Washington, coffee is truly a way of life.
2. We're really, really into enjoying nature here.
This sometimes means spending too much money at REI or Cabela's or (shhh) calling in sick to work to be outside. Can you blame us? With beautiful hiking trails, breathtaking lakes, and epic mountains, Washington is a nature enthusiast's paradise. If you're from another area, we'll gladly recommend our favorite local hike to you, so long as you promise to keep it a secret!
3. Eastern Washington and Western Washington are basically different worlds.
Those of us who truly love our great state appreciate both. However, there's no denying that there are some major differences between the two regions. Although, to be fair, this is probably true of every state in the U.S.
4. And on that note, not all of us live in Seattle or anywhere close to it.
You might assume everyone in Washington lives there if you ever get stuck in Seattle traffic, but for some of us, Seattle is a six hour drive from home. That's hardly a neighbor. So while Seattle might be the most iconic part of Washington, you'd be remiss not to visit the smaller towns throughout our great state.
5. If we had a state sport, it would probably be skiing.
We're lucky enough to have plenty of options for snow sports, and we take full advantage. One major Washington trait is an undying appreciation for the mountains, and that definitely includes skiing.
6. A lot of the brands and corporations you're familiar with got their start here.
Most people know where Starbucks and Microsoft came from, but hearing that Costco, Nordstrom, Amazon, Expedia, and Zillow were founded here is sometimes surprising to non-Washingtonians.
Spend some time on Bainbridge, Whidbey or the San Juans and you'll fall in love. We like to think that these islands are among the most beautiful places in the entire world.
8. The cannabis users might not be who you'd expect.
Forget every stoner stereotype you've ever heard. Since Washington legalized recreational marijuana, we've come up with some downright creative ways to indulge, and some successful professionals are both involved in the production of it and using it themselves.
Who needs Napa when you have the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla? Out-of-towners might be surprised by our enthusiasm for wine and beer. (That is, until they've tried it themselves. Then they understand completely!)
Some Washingtonians have to dress up for work, and plenty of us enjoy going all out for an elegant evening on occasion. But for the most part, you'll see us in jeans at some of our best restaurants and even at the office. We still make an effort, we just love to be comfortable.
Do you identify with any of the above stereotypes about Washington? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience!
One wonderful thing about Washingtonians: We can always laugh at ourselves. Here’s a list of jokes about Washington that are actually funny.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Stereotypes About Washington
April 14, 2020
Beth C.
What are some interesting things about Washington?
Considering that it’s such a diverse state, there are endless fascinating things about Washington. Many of them have to do with the natural landscape. To start with, there are no less than 10 volcanoes that exist in Washington. Some scientists believe that these volcanoes, which include Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, are among the most dangerous in the U.S. Speaking of Mount Rainier, at 14,410, it’s the tallest peak in the state. Many are fascinated to learn that depending on the tide, the San Juan Islands can feature as many as 450 individual islands.
What are Washingtonians known for?
Washingtonians have many different interests spanning from coffee drinks to gourmet dining and local restaurants. Yet one of the things that seems to unite all Washingtonians is a love of the great outdoors. This isn’t too surprising, considering that Washington boasts some of the most diverse landscapes in the world. From rainforests to alpine peaks and even the shrub-steppe desert,
What is the most popular Washington stereotype?
One of the most popular stereotypes about Washington is a love of coffee. Given the fact that Starbucks was established in Seattle in 1971, many people believe everyone in Washington is a bit of a coffee snob. This might be true to an extent, but only because we’ve been spoiled with some of the best coffee in the world. You’ll find that a majority of Washingtonians have a custom drink order at their local coffee house, which probably isn’t even a Starbucks.
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
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