Wyoming is the kind of state that, if you grow up in it, shapes your world view. Growing up in Wyoming has a ton of side effects, some of which are pretty dang weird. If you grew up here, odds are you’ve got at least a few of them.

1. You always keep an eye in the bar ditch while you’re driving.
Grand Teton/ Flickr
For whatever reason, many antelope (or pronghorn, if you’re that guy) like to play chicken with vehicles. Unfortunately, most of them don’t come away from it in the best of shape. Constantly scanning the sides of the road is one habit that sticks around after growing up in Wyoming.
2. You’re always ready for winter.
Steven Bittinger/ Flickr
Winter in Wyoming is a cruel mistress. It likes to come and go without warning, and it always rears its head at the worst of times. Like when you’re halfway between Casper and Cheyenne on the Interstate, or when the forecast called for a 60 degree, sunny, breezy day and you've hiked a few miles into the forest.
3. You speed.
Chris W./ Flickr
A side effect of growing up in a state with a lot of open road is that speeding becomes a way of life. It starts out with just going a hair above the speed limit, and before you know it you’re getting pulled over out in the boonies for going 80 mph in a 65 zone.
4. You dress in layers.
JJDiPierro/ Wikipedia Commons
The wind in Wyoming is legendary for all the wrong reasons! If you want to stay at least somewhat warm, you need to dress in layers, and always have a change of clothes (or an entire wardrobe) in your car.

Pictured above, necessary Wyoming winter wear.
5. You have a healthy respect for wildlife.
Alberta Armstrong/ Flickr
A lot of people who come from out of state to enjoy one of our parks don’t really get that wildlife is actually wild, and really does not care for human interaction. Hence why you hear about the occasional out-of-towners who get smushed by a moose, gored by a bison, and/or attracting bears and then becoming their midnight snack. Growing up in Wyoming teaches you how to respectfully interact with the natural world around you.
6. You hate crowds.
GPS/ Flickr
Growing up in one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country means that you don’t really have a lot of experience being in a big crowd. So, most of us who grew up in Wyoming feel a bit uncomfortable when we’re exposed to giant crowds of people.
7. You hoard food like a squirrel during the winter months.
istolethetv/ Flickr
In a lot of places, winter is a nuisance. In Wyoming, there are times where mother nature seems like she’s trying to literally kill you. So, we all make an effort to make sure that we have plenty of food in case the snow falls so heavy that we can’t get out of the house. This is a habit that many of us keep up with even if we happen to move to somewhere with a milder climate.
8. You strongly distrust anyone with clean work boots.
AdmlCrunch/Flickr
A working man doesn’t keep his boots clean. Anyone with clean boots probably doesn’t work in them, which means that they’re probably not one of us.

The boot on the left is okay, but the boot on the right is a real working man’s boot.
9. Pearl snaps and clean jeans constitute formal wear (a bolo tie is optional).
Jessa and Mark Anderson/ Flickr
True Wyoming formal wear is country through and through, which means a pearl snap shirt, blue jeans, and a cowboy hat. A bolo tie is also acceptable.
10. You feel claustrophobic if you can’t see for 7 miles in every direction.
Boss Tweed/ Flickr
Wyoming is known for its wide-open spaces, so when many of us travel to a more wooded or urban area we feel a bit claustrophobic.

What’d you think about these side effects of growing up in Wyoming? Any you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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growing up in Wyoming

Kim Magaraci | February 14, 2020

What stereotypes are there about Wyoming?

When you travel around after spending your life in Wyoming, you'll hear all sorts of stereotypes. Most people who haven't visited think of Wyoming as a completely empty place, which isn't too far off. Others, who have just driven into Evanston for fireworks and booze, think that Wyoming is nothing but sagebrush flats and trucks. In reality, our state is one of the most breathtaking places in the world, and there's so much more to see even beyond the National Parks.

What are the best things about living in Wyoming?

While "best" is subjective, most Wyomingites love the peace and quiet. The quick access to some of the world's biggest wilderness areas is a huge bonus, too. Being able to live in a town that's relatively untouched by developers and technology is great, too, if you prefer an old fashioned and simple life. Plus, when you live in Wyoming, you'll likely be a part of a close knit small town community.

What are the worst things about living in Wyoming?

The wind! The weather in Wyoming is no joke, and many people just can't get used to it if they didn't grow up here. Wyoming is also dealing with an employment shortage, due to the closing and consolidation of some large mines in the state and a shift to production of renewable energy. If you can find a stable job and learn how to bundle up, though, you'll find Wyoming's beauty is worth its challenges.

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