Pittsburghers, when not in the Burgh, just seem to gravitate toward each other. Maybe that’s because we share a mutual love of Pittsburgh, Or, perhaps it’s because only another Pittsburgher can truly understand us and our shared habits. Here are 10 undying habits all Pittsburghers have.
- Following the Pittsburgh left.
Flickr/Paul Sableman We may have earned the title of the rudest city of drivers in the United States. But, Pittsburghers have their own way of doing things. Take the Pittsburgh left. Pittsburghers going straight through an intersection typically allow drivers to turn left when the light turns green before proceeding.
- Speaking fluent Pittsburghese.
Flickr/Matt Niemi Whether you’re born and raised here or you moved here only a short time ago, you will eventually speak Pittsburghese. Even if you leave the Burgh, you will still be identified by your accent and, of course, that unique ways we Pittsburghers talk.
- Putting fries on sandwiches and salads.
Flickr/jpellgen Pittsburghers are efficient and know how to get things done. Primanti Brothers started with the tradition of topping sandwiches with fries (and coleslaw) to make eating on the go easy. Nothing tops a sandwich or a salad quite as well as delicious fries.
- Eating chipped ham or jumbo sandwiches for lunch.
Flickr/Steve Wertz Who remembers going to Isaly’s for fresh jumbo or chipped ham (also known as chipped chopped ham)? We’ve all had chipped ham or jumbo sandwiches for lunch at least once in our lives.
- Stopping in front of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
Flickr/Bill Walsh Some habits are hard to break and even harder to understand. Like stopping in front of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and creating a traffic backup. If, as some Pittsburghers surmise, there is an infamous tunnel monster, wouldn’t drivers zoom through the tunnel instead of stopping and inching to a crawl?
- Owning a wardrobe that has more black and gold than any other colors.
Flickr/Julie Pittsburghers display their pride by wearing the city colors: Black and gold. Oh, and don’t dare call it yellow. It’s gold.
- Rooting for the Steelers, the Pens, and the Pirates.
Flickr/Dinur If you live in Pittsburgh, you are a Steelers, a Pens, and a Pirates fan. Despite the fact that we have awesome teams, how could you not be a fan with the camaraderie between Pittsburghers when it comes to sports?
- Buying only Heinz.
Flickr/Mike Mozart Yep. Pittsburgh’s a Heinz town. Add some Heinz ketchup or mustard to your hot dog, jumbo sandwich, or fries.
- Wearing shorts even in the middle of winter.
Flickr/Jen R. A little snow and cold doesn’t scare us. You might just see Pittsburghers shorts, a sweatshirt, and even flip flops in the dead of winter.
- Congregating at the cookie table at wedding receptions.
Flickr/Chris Winters Pittsburghers love a good wedding. But what makes the reception so appealing is the cookie table, a longstanding tradition in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Let’s add to this list! What are some other habits all Pittsburghers have? Share your thoughts below!
Flickr/Paul Sableman
We may have earned the title of the rudest city of drivers in the United States. But, Pittsburghers have their own way of doing things. Take the Pittsburgh left. Pittsburghers going straight through an intersection typically allow drivers to turn left when the light turns green before proceeding.
Flickr/Matt Niemi
Whether you’re born and raised here or you moved here only a short time ago, you will eventually speak Pittsburghese. Even if you leave the Burgh, you will still be identified by your accent and, of course, that unique ways we Pittsburghers talk.
Flickr/jpellgen
Pittsburghers are efficient and know how to get things done. Primanti Brothers started with the tradition of topping sandwiches with fries (and coleslaw) to make eating on the go easy. Nothing tops a sandwich or a salad quite as well as delicious fries.
Flickr/Steve Wertz
Who remembers going to Isaly’s for fresh jumbo or chipped ham (also known as chipped chopped ham)? We’ve all had chipped ham or jumbo sandwiches for lunch at least once in our lives.
Flickr/Bill Walsh
Some habits are hard to break and even harder to understand. Like stopping in front of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and creating a traffic backup. If, as some Pittsburghers surmise, there is an infamous tunnel monster, wouldn’t drivers zoom through the tunnel instead of stopping and inching to a crawl?
Flickr/Julie
Pittsburghers display their pride by wearing the city colors: Black and gold. Oh, and don’t dare call it yellow. It’s gold.
Flickr/Dinur
If you live in Pittsburgh, you are a Steelers, a Pens, and a Pirates fan. Despite the fact that we have awesome teams, how could you not be a fan with the camaraderie between Pittsburghers when it comes to sports?
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Yep. Pittsburgh’s a Heinz town. Add some Heinz ketchup or mustard to your hot dog, jumbo sandwich, or fries.
Flickr/Jen R.
A little snow and cold doesn’t scare us. You might just see Pittsburghers shorts, a sweatshirt, and even flip flops in the dead of winter.
Flickr/Chris Winters
Pittsburghers love a good wedding. But what makes the reception so appealing is the cookie table, a longstanding tradition in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
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