Whether you’re a fourth-generation Idahoan or whether you moved here years ago, it’s easy to fall in love with our beautiful, laid-back state. Having lived here for so long, it’s typically easy to come up with a list of reasons to love the Gem State. But when you spend so much time here and become more familiar with Idaho, there are also little things that you start to notice…things that can start to grind your gears or turn a conversation heated. Here’s a short list of just some of the annoyances that many Idahoans share, and things we just plain despise.
- Construction season.
Matt Hintsa/Flickr Because the thing about seasons is THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO ACTUALLY END AT SOME POINT.
- Sweltering August heat.
bark/Flickr While there are years where the last rays of the summer sun are blessedly mild, August is typically the most unbearable month of the year. As the temperature climbs into the triple digits, driving to and from work, stepping outside to grab the mail, and even sleeping at night all feel like someone is aiming a blowtorch at your face.
- Litter and the people who do it.
Josh/Flickr Stop trashing our beautiful state!
- Transplants and outsiders.
Håkan Dahlström/Flickr Tourism is both a blessing and curse to Idaho, but the average Idahoan is constantly worried about protecting our unique identity as a state sans the influence of city-dwellers and urbanites. They just don’t get it. And usually get the brunt of the blame for the previously mentioned litter.
- The lack of 24-hour… anything.
JP Freethinker/Flickr We’ve heard rumors that there are places out there where you can grab a taco at 3 a.m…. but they’re about as easy to find as unicorns, here.
- The politics.
No matter where on the political spectrum you fall, I think we can all agree that it’s a hot mess.
- The education system.
Ken Lund/Flickr Idaho has a reputation for having one of the worst K-12 education systems in the nation… no further explanation needed.
- The minimum wage.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee/Flickr It’s never fun coming in dead last in the nation for anything, let alone when it comes to our economy and our residents’ living wage.
- The stereotypes about Idahoans.
Andy Nystrom/Flickr Rule of thumb: don’t generalize the values or actions of others. (Which is an ironic moral, given the title of this list!)
- The thought of leaving… because you know you’d hate to leave these views behind.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Jens Schott Knudsen/Flickr
Alvin Feng/Flickr I’m fortunate that I’ve never had to leave this state for any reason, and furthermore have the opportunity to explore and write about it on a daily basis. But if your comments are any indication, those who leave often regret it almost as soon as they step foot into their new location. But just know that Idaho will always be here waiting for you!
Have at it, Idaho! Here’s your chance – what other things annoy you about Idaho, Idahoans, or the goings-on in our state?
Matt Hintsa/Flickr
Because the thing about seasons is THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO ACTUALLY END AT SOME POINT.
bark/Flickr
While there are years where the last rays of the summer sun are blessedly mild, August is typically the most unbearable month of the year. As the temperature climbs into the triple digits, driving to and from work, stepping outside to grab the mail, and even sleeping at night all feel like someone is aiming a blowtorch at your face.
Josh/Flickr
Stop trashing our beautiful state!
Håkan Dahlström/Flickr
Tourism is both a blessing and curse to Idaho, but the average Idahoan is constantly worried about protecting our unique identity as a state sans the influence of city-dwellers and urbanites. They just don’t get it. And usually get the brunt of the blame for the previously mentioned litter.
JP Freethinker/Flickr
We’ve heard rumors that there are places out there where you can grab a taco at 3 a.m…. but they’re about as easy to find as unicorns, here.
No matter where on the political spectrum you fall, I think we can all agree that it’s a hot mess.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Idaho has a reputation for having one of the worst K-12 education systems in the nation… no further explanation needed.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee/Flickr
It’s never fun coming in dead last in the nation for anything, let alone when it comes to our economy and our residents’ living wage.
Andy Nystrom/Flickr
Rule of thumb: don’t generalize the values or actions of others. (Which is an ironic moral, given the title of this list!)
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Jens Schott Knudsen/Flickr
Alvin Feng/Flickr
I’m fortunate that I’ve never had to leave this state for any reason, and furthermore have the opportunity to explore and write about it on a daily basis. But if your comments are any indication, those who leave often regret it almost as soon as they step foot into their new location. But just know that Idaho will always be here waiting for you!
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