Utah is a unique state. Not just because of our powdery snow or cool national parks…let’s face it – Utahns can do some pretty weird things. Now, not every Utahn does every single thing on this list. And, we’re not saying that some of this stuff doesn’t happen in other states, too. But these 10 things that some Utahns do sometimes are pretty insane to people in the rest of the country.
- Marry young.
Rachignatiev/flickr While people in their early twenties normally spend their time playing the field while they’re in college, Utahns get married. In the Beehive State, the average age for marriage is just 24 for women and 26 for men - three years younger than the national average. In fact, Utahns marry younger than people in any other state.
- Add vegetables to Jello and call it a salad.
Michael Young/flickr No. Adding fruit or veggies to sugar and gelatin does not make it healthy.
- Have a lot of kids.
Jeff Turner/flickr We have more kids than any other state - it’s not unusual for Utah families to include four or more children. How do people afford this? People in other states wonder!
- Bring babies to expensive restaurants.
Tom D./flickr When was the last time you enjoyed a restaurant meal without seeing at least one baby or toddler at a nearby table? Utahns don’t just take their small children to diners and fast food joints - they bring them along to some of Utah’s fanciest, most expensive spots. Who wants to pay over $100 for a meal while dealing with a screaming toddler and a poopy diaper? Some Utahns, apparently.
- Buy homes well before we turn 30.
Photo Dean/flickr Some Utahns take on a mortgage while they’re still in college, racking up student loans. While 25-year-olds in other states are dating and starting new careers, Utahns are often having their second babies, finishing their college degrees, buying minivans and taking on $300,000+ in housing debt.
- Stock in huge amounts of food in case of emergency.
Backdoor Survival/flickr This practice started with the Mormon church, which taught its members to stock in canned goods, winter wheat and emergency water. Now, it’s not just Mormons - many Utahns have some canned goods or dehydrated stuff stashed away. After all, we are living on a fault line and if an earthquake occurs, it’s a good idea to have a supply of food and water.
- Hike places like this.
Joseph Illingworth/flickr People in other parts of the country would think that Angel’s Landing is the kind of trail that only experienced hikers would ever dare attempt. Not in Utah! You’ll see small children on this trail - and even people who carry their kids on their shoulders all the way up.
- Breathe the air.
Goss Nuzzo-Jones/flickr It’s not like we have a choice, but breathing our air during an inversion is downright dangerous. Other cities in the country once had worse pollution than Utah, but many have cleaned up their air. We have to just keep breathing ours.
- Use fake swear words.
Amber/flickr Fetch, frick, freakin’, heck, gosh darn…some Utahns have some pretty colorful language. In lieu of saying the real expletive, they think that using these substitutes makes sense. People from other places think this is absolutely insane. For one thing, everyone knows that you really mean to say the ‘F’ word when you say “frick” or “fetch.” And another thing? You sound like you’re twelve years old.
- Sign up for multi-level marketing, then annoy friends with the sales pitch.
Tim Johnson/flickr How many people make real money hawking vitamin supplements and the latest “miracle juice?” Not many. But Utahns just can’t help themselves - these companies are pervasive in Utah. So, people sign up and then become those annoying friends who keep trying to add you to their “downline.” Insane? Yes!
Which of these things do you agree and disagree with?
Rachignatiev/flickr
While people in their early twenties normally spend their time playing the field while they’re in college, Utahns get married. In the Beehive State, the average age for marriage is just 24 for women and 26 for men - three years younger than the national average. In fact, Utahns marry younger than people in any other state.
Michael Young/flickr
No. Adding fruit or veggies to sugar and gelatin does not make it healthy.
Jeff Turner/flickr
We have more kids than any other state - it’s not unusual for Utah families to include four or more children. How do people afford this? People in other states wonder!
Tom D./flickr
When was the last time you enjoyed a restaurant meal without seeing at least one baby or toddler at a nearby table? Utahns don’t just take their small children to diners and fast food joints - they bring them along to some of Utah’s fanciest, most expensive spots. Who wants to pay over $100 for a meal while dealing with a screaming toddler and a poopy diaper? Some Utahns, apparently.
Photo Dean/flickr
Some Utahns take on a mortgage while they’re still in college, racking up student loans. While 25-year-olds in other states are dating and starting new careers, Utahns are often having their second babies, finishing their college degrees, buying minivans and taking on $300,000+ in housing debt.
Backdoor Survival/flickr
This practice started with the Mormon church, which taught its members to stock in canned goods, winter wheat and emergency water. Now, it’s not just Mormons - many Utahns have some canned goods or dehydrated stuff stashed away. After all, we are living on a fault line and if an earthquake occurs, it’s a good idea to have a supply of food and water.
Joseph Illingworth/flickr
People in other parts of the country would think that Angel’s Landing is the kind of trail that only experienced hikers would ever dare attempt. Not in Utah! You’ll see small children on this trail - and even people who carry their kids on their shoulders all the way up.
Goss Nuzzo-Jones/flickr
It’s not like we have a choice, but breathing our air during an inversion is downright dangerous. Other cities in the country once had worse pollution than Utah, but many have cleaned up their air. We have to just keep breathing ours.
Amber/flickr
Fetch, frick, freakin’, heck, gosh darn…some Utahns have some pretty colorful language. In lieu of saying the real expletive, they think that using these substitutes makes sense. People from other places think this is absolutely insane. For one thing, everyone knows that you really mean to say the ‘F’ word when you say “frick” or “fetch.” And another thing? You sound like you’re twelve years old.
Tim Johnson/flickr
How many people make real money hawking vitamin supplements and the latest “miracle juice?” Not many. But Utahns just can’t help themselves - these companies are pervasive in Utah. So, people sign up and then become those annoying friends who keep trying to add you to their “downline.” Insane? Yes!
I’ve lived in Utah my entire life. And though I’ve traveled all over the world, Utah will always be home (even though Utahns do some insane things). Here’s why.
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