8 Things To Be Aware Of In Utah | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

8 Things To Be Aware Of In Utah

A lifetime resident's guide to living in the Beehive State.

3357
8 Things To Be Aware Of In Utah
Blogspot

Congratulations on moving to Utah! We all hope you will enjoy the majestic mountains, world-famous national parks, friendly residents, and crippling wintertime air pollution!

Utah is a beautiful state, but you may have noticed that the culture here is a bit different. Utah is known for having a very high Mormon population, but most don't realize how present it is until they live here. It isn't so overbearing in the city, but if you drive about 30 minutes in any direction things can get a little weird if you are not prepared.

We cannot have you experiencing culture shock, so here are a few things to be aware of. If you are already a native Utahn, sit back and have a laugh with me!

1. Fry sauce.

In Utah we have a magical substance called fry sauce. Its origins are lost in the lore of the ages, but we have it in pretty much every place that sells fries. It is extremely magical, and you should put it on everything.

2. Everyone is Mormon.

Once you leave the city, religious diversity all but disappears. Utah County, for example, is more than 80 percent Mormon. I was raised Mormon in the heart of Utah county and I was still amazed by the outstanding lack of diverse belief. People will often assume that you're Mormon, which can be a bit confusing the first few times.

3. There are churches everywhere.

If you decide to drive south of Salt Lake into the Provo area, you will notice that churches are everywhere. In some places there can be as many as five in a square mile to accommodate the hordes of worshipers each week. So remember, if you live "by the LDS church," you need to specify which one.

4. Young couples.

My best friend is from Missouri, and one of the first things she noticed after moving here was that people get married so young. Getting hitched early is a huge part of Utah culture (especially if you are a student at BYU), and it definitely freaks some people out. Just remember that you should never feel pressured to marry someone before you are ready, and wish those who do get married before the age of 20 a little extra good luck!

5. People may try to convert you.

One thing that I constantly hear from non-native Utahns is how often their neighbors and friends ask them to go to their church. This isn't unusual, as the LDS faith puts a huge emphasis on gaining new members. A simple "sorry, but I'm not interested" should fix the problem, but you may need to make an excuse for why you can never go (tell them you're a Satanist. That usually dissuades them!).

6. You can't do anything on Sunday.

Everything is closed on Sunday. If, like me, you like to enjoy your "second Saturday," you're out of luck. You want a drink? You'll have to settle for a convenience store because guess what? The bartender is Mormon too. #plottwist

7. Learn when major events are happening.

Since I stopped attending church, I somehow keep forgetting when the LDS General Conference is taking place. General Conference is the semiannual meeting when Mormon leaders get up and address church members. It's a huge event, with thousands coming from all over the nation to attend, and downtown Salt Lake gets flooded with people as a result. The other big event that happens in Utah is the Salt Lake Comic Con, which is also semiannual. The biggest difference is that one results in Mormons flooding the streets, the other results in Mormons flooding the streets wearing costumes.

All of this may seem a bit frightening and overwhelming, but don't worry, because...

8. Good coffee exists!

That's right! Despite the heavy Mormon presence here, Salt Lake City has a thriving coffee culture. Local roasters include Millcreek Coffee Roasters, Jack Mormon Coffee, and (my personal favorite) Salt Lake Roasting Company.

In all seriousness, Utah isn't very bad at all. Just like any other place, you need to learn about the local quirks and customs. Utah's quirks and customs just happen to be rooted in a religion that most people don't know very much about!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

463
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1589
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments