Being from Pittsburgh isn’t something that the people who live here take lightly. The intense regionalism that we all have is special to The Steel City. We do and say some funny things, but we wouldn’t change it for anything.
1) You have an profound loyalty to Heinz ketchup. If a restaurant doesn’t have Heinz, we’d rather have no ketchup. Thank you very much.
2) Trips to Giant Eagle with your mom were a daily occurrence when you were a kid. And you had great memories in the Eagle’s Nest.
3) You probably own at least one item from the 412 company. It’s everywhere.
4) Speaking of 412, you most likely have “412” in your twitter bio.
5) You religiously watch Pittsburgh Dad. Then you proceed to force your dad to watch every episode because they are just spot-on the truth.
6) When you get lunch meat, you want CHIPPED ham. No, that’s not the same as sliced thin.
7) Your grandfather or great-grandfather worked in the steel mills.
8) You have more sports paraphernalia than you know what to do with. Even if you don’t like sports (like me).
9) SPORTS is the religion that most people practice in the city. If a Pittsburgher is mad, sad, excited, angry… it’s probably because of the game last night.
10) You call it POP. And the word soda is never uttered. Ever.
11) All of your high school teachers were actually alumni because NO. ONE. EVER. LEAVES.
12) Most of your extended family is just a 5-minute drive away because NO. ONE. EVER. LEAVES.
13) You speak Pittsburghese even when people not from Pittsburgh question your sanity. My grandparents, parents, friends, and my whole extended family talk like this. It’s our own unique dialect.
14) When it’s football season, every house in the neighborhood is decked out in all black and gold Steelers decorations.
15) Your dad probably has a ratty, old “original” Terrible Towel that he’s super protective over.
16) You know PNC Park like the back of your hand because the Pirates are the only sports team you can afford to watch.
17) You probably worked at Kennywood at least once in your life.
18) You’ve taken advantage of the beautiful city biking trails.
19) You know how to drive like an expert because when you were practicing for your driver’s test, your dad took you on the parkway and showed you the “real world.”
20) You expect every order of food to have fries on it.
21) You know how overrated the South side is, but can’t help still going there.
22) You immediately connect with other people who are from Pittsburgh. You just understand each other.
23) You miss your city every time you leave. Even when you’re on vacation, you secretly can’t wait for that drive through the Fort Pitt tunnels and the beautiful view of the city on the other side.
24) When you’re in college and you’re silently freaking out because you know that you don’t really want to leave Pittsburgh for a job, but you know that the possibility is real.
25) You write articles about Pittsburgh for Odyssey.
To my fellow Pittsburghers, I love yinz.
