Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Alabama in between. I've lived in Pennsylvania my whole life, and I have come to the conclusion, that everything leads back to the Dutch.
1. It's just PA.
That look you give to someone who isn't from PA but insists on calling it Pennsylvania. Also, PA is pronounced "pee-ayy" for those who don't know.
2. Pennsylvanians don't "go to the beach."
We "go down the shore." They might be the exact same place, but Pennsylvanians are always going to refer to the beach as the shore.
3. Hunting season starts out with a bang!
Hunting season is practically a holiday here in PA. A lot of schools even cancel school for the first day of the season.
4. Get used to hearing "youse" or "yinz."
It seems to be that "youse" is from Philadelphia, and "yinz" is from Pittsburgh.
5. Scrapple is not a board game.
What's actually in scrapple? Cornmeal, flour, the left over pig scraps?
6. Some town names will make you laugh.
It's seriously hard to not laugh at these names.
7. Yuengling.
It's said with a zing. One thing us Pennsylvanians are always telling out-of-staters is that it's not "young-ling," its "ying-ling."
8. You can't buy liquor at a grocery store.
You can't just walk into a Walmart or Krogers and expect to leave with a six-pack. State laws require you to buy alcohol at a Wine & Spirits store.
9. It's called a crick.
What most Americans would call a "creek" we Pennsylvanians call a "crick." A crick isn't just something found in an aching back!
10. You've been to a party at a Fire Hall.
In the small towns of Pennsylvania, the Fire Halls or VFW's are usually the largest most available buildings around! It's not odd to be invited to a baby shower, wedding, or birthday party at a fire hall.
11. Hoagies.
We make Hoagies better than anyone else, Italian bread split down the center, stuffed with tons of meats; you can't go wrong with a Hoagie from Pennsylvania.
12. Everything goes back to the Dutch.
The early Dutch settlers played a massive role in the development of Pennsylvania. While us natives seem to not be phased by the Dutch, or Horse and Buggies, out-of-staters always seem to point out how common the word "Dutch" is.
13. Don't underestimate the pothole.
We have some of the worst roads in the country. Please warn your friends about the potholes so they don't have to pay a repair bill!
14. Birch Beer is NOT Root Beer.
A classic Pennsylvania favorite, Birch Beer is made from the sap of Birch Trees, while Root Beer is made from flavorings that come from sassafras. While a non-native might say these drinks taste similar, we Pennsylvanians know that Birch Beer takes the prize.
15. Potpie is NOT baked.
I don't know why the rest of the country is putting soup in a pastry and calling it pot pie. Here in Pennsylvania, we make pot pie likes it supposed to be made, a creamy stew with meat, veggies and egg noodle. It has no crust, and it isn't baked.
16. Wawa or Sheetz?
We all love our local convenience store, depending on where you are located you either swear by Wawa or Sheetz. Will this Pennsylvanian feud ever end?
