Being an Utahn, my state is often underrepresented, stereotyped, and misunderstood, especially when you go out of state and attend an out-of-state college. Like most people who are in the same out-of-state boat, we often have to explain ourselves by answering either ridiculous questions and/or correcting goofy assumptions about our homes. So, for the misinformed, here are the answers to some questions I have been asked as an Utahn:
1. Are you Mormon?
No, I am not Mormon. Despite the stereotype, only 60 percent of the population of Utah is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. the LDS Church).
2. How do you say "mountain"?
Most Utahns say "moun'ain," completely forgetting all about the "t." We also say things like "Lay'on" (Layton) and "hun'ing" (hunting). I try my absolute best to articulate so I don't confuse people about where I ski.
3. Do you ski?
Of course I ski! Haven't you heard Utah has the "greatest snow on Earth"? Because Utah is the second driest/least humid state in the U.S., we get such incredible powder that even our neighbor Coloradans get jealous!
4. Isn't Utah a desert?
Utah is a phenomenon that some would call a "mountain desert." The western half of the state has the Great Basin Desert, the largest desert in the United States;
the other side of the Wasatch Mountains puts Utah in the back end of the Rockies.
It's like the best of both worlds!
5. Have you been to Zion?
Yes, along with the other four national parks Utah has:
Bryce Canyon,
Canyonlands,
Capitol Reef,
and Arches.
6. What is "fry sauce"?
Literally, it's a concoction of mayonnaise and ketchup; and to us Utahns, it's heaven on Earth!
7. When I fly into Salt Lake, I always see all of these people with "welcome home" signs. Why?
Back to Mormonism, it's almost tradition to see LDS families welcoming their relatives who were on missions and return to these kinds of homecomings.
8. What is "smog"?
Figuratively, Satan. Literally, a combination of the water vapor from the lake effect of the Great Salt Lake and the smoke from factory smokestacks. Because Salt Lake City is in a valley, this diabolical cloud hovers above the city, constantly changing the air quality. But when the air is clear, the valley is quite a sight.
9. Why is the California Gull your state bird? Isn't that California's?
Correction: The state bird of California is the California Quail. The California Gull became Utah's state bird after a flock of them miraculously flew to Utah and ate the locusts that were destroying crops back in 1848. Although they may be winged saviors, they're still rats with wings to me. Always stealing my fries.
10. Can you swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Why, yes! The Great Salt Lake has almost 4.9 billion tons of salt. The more salt a body of water has, the more buoyant one can become. Science.
11. Why is Utah the "Beehive State"?
Utah has the beehive as its emblem because it represents industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. If you have ever drove through Parley's Canyon during rush hour, you will truly understand the simile "busy as a bee."
12. What is "Sundance"?
Sundance can mean one of two things: first, is can refer to Sundance Resort, a beautiful ski resort near Provo.
To Parkites (people who are from Park City, like yours truly), it means the Sundance Film Festival, one of the largest independent film festivals alive, and the one time in the year where it's impossible to find parking... IMPOSSIBLE!
13. What's "Kneaders?"
For our excuse of not having enough Panera Breads in the state, we have Kneaders to replace the loss we have. On the plus side, they have unlimited French toast every morning for breakfast, who wouldn't want that?
14. What is "Pioneer Day?"
July 24, the day that the Mormon settlers stumbled across Utah during the Pioneer Era.
To us non-Mormons, we call it "Pie 'n' Beer Day" and use the state holiday as a Fourth of July version 2.0.
15. Will you return to Utah after you graduate?
This is always the hardest question for me because I'm still debating what I'm going to eat for my next meal. Sure, I love the Beehive State, but the world is so big that who knows where I'll go when I graduate. Ask me again after I get my degree.
