It can be embarrassing to be an Alaskan sometimes. Living in woods and the mountains can make us forget how the rest of the world behaves. From midnight sun confusion to berry patch guarding, there’s a lot to deal with and things can get weird. These awkward moments are real issues that Alaskans have to deal with.
- When you wake up under the midnight sun, look at the clock and still have no idea if it’s AM or PM.
Łukasz Hejnak | Flickr When the sun is up all the time, sometimes you might get up for work 12 hours before or after you are supposed to, just because it isn’t clear if it is day or night. #alaskaproblems
- When you miss your connecting flight because of the Alaskan weather.
ChrissyJ | Flickr You may be stuck sitting in an airport in Anchorage or Seattle all day sometimes because the planes can’t land or take off due to a winter storm. Of course this happens to travelers everywhere, but the infrequency of flights to remote places makes this problem especially bad in Alaska. It’s awkward to inconvenience everyone when you are days late to family gatherings or holidays when plane wings can’t be de-iced!
- When you have to explain that Alaska is actually a U.S. State.
Nelson Minar | Flickr When ordering items by phone or internet an Alaskan will frequently have to argue with the salesperson about shipping. Often, “Free shipping in the U.S.” doesn’t seem to apply to Alaska and they will want to use international shipping rates or tell you the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t serve your area, which is usually not true.
- When you try not to laugh at the GPS when it pronounces Alaska place names horrifically wrong.
Ron Reiring | Flickr The names of Alaskan places are not easy to figure out. Ranging from pioneers names to Aleut to Inupiaq words, there’s a lot of confusing pronunciations. Shown here is the Tanana river and no, it doesn’t rhyme with banana.
- When you have to explain that Alaska is actually twice as big as Texas.
Alaska.Org Official State Tourism Site Some Texans just won’t believe you, but Alaska is over twice as big. In fact, Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. That’s just the facts, ma’am.
- When your car needs a jump and you don’t have jumper cables.
jimbob_malone | Flickr Not only do you feel like a fool, you feel like a bad Alaskan. You can just hear your parents yelling at you for being unprepared on the long stretches of highway in Alaska.
- When an eagle catches your pet as prey.
Mick Thompson | Flickr Small animals are subject to a lot of dangerous situations in Alaska. The law of the wild doesn’t recognise microchips and collars. Losing a pet is always tragic, and to an eagle is just awful because you feel like you failed to protect them. Sometimes it’s just how it goes.
- When your winter gear ruins your style.
Jim O’Neil | Flickr No matter how stylish you want to be, your outer winter wear usually ruins the effect. If it’s cold enough, you still have to wear winter boots and layers with your cocktail dress, at least until you get to the door of the party.
- When you get caught in a snow storm in April… or May… or June… pretty much any month.
Jim O’Neil | Flickr It can snow anytime if a weird cold front comes in. It can be totally awkward to wake up in your tent and see inches of snow on the ground. Beware in the mountains where you can drive into a snow drift blown in the middle of the road any time.
- When you find out everybody doesn’t gold pan for fun.
Grant Eaton | Flickr This is one weird Alaskan activity that only those from other Gold Rush areas will understand, but it’s a real thing. We actually squat by rivers and swish around dirt in a pan for fun. It seems ridiculous until you find your first bit of gold, then the Gold Fever sets in and there’s no stopping you.
- When your friend asks where your blueberry spot is.
Andrea Pokrzywinski | Flickr Um… that’s just not something we share. We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.
Learn more about Alaskan summers here: There’s Nothing in the World Quite Like Alaska’s Midnight Sun!
Łukasz Hejnak | Flickr
When the sun is up all the time, sometimes you might get up for work 12 hours before or after you are supposed to, just because it isn’t clear if it is day or night. #alaskaproblems
ChrissyJ | Flickr
You may be stuck sitting in an airport in Anchorage or Seattle all day sometimes because the planes can’t land or take off due to a winter storm. Of course this happens to travelers everywhere, but the infrequency of flights to remote places makes this problem especially bad in Alaska. It’s awkward to inconvenience everyone when you are days late to family gatherings or holidays when plane wings can’t be de-iced!
Nelson Minar | Flickr
When ordering items by phone or internet an Alaskan will frequently have to argue with the salesperson about shipping. Often, “Free shipping in the U.S.” doesn’t seem to apply to Alaska and they will want to use international shipping rates or tell you the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t serve your area, which is usually not true.
Ron Reiring | Flickr
The names of Alaskan places are not easy to figure out. Ranging from pioneers names to Aleut to Inupiaq words, there’s a lot of confusing pronunciations. Shown here is the Tanana river and no, it doesn’t rhyme with banana.
Alaska.Org Official State Tourism Site
Some Texans just won’t believe you, but Alaska is over twice as big. In fact, Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. That’s just the facts, ma’am.
jimbob_malone | Flickr
Not only do you feel like a fool, you feel like a bad Alaskan. You can just hear your parents yelling at you for being unprepared on the long stretches of highway in Alaska.
Mick Thompson | Flickr
Small animals are subject to a lot of dangerous situations in Alaska. The law of the wild doesn’t recognise microchips and collars. Losing a pet is always tragic, and to an eagle is just awful because you feel like you failed to protect them. Sometimes it’s just how it goes.
Jim O’Neil | Flickr
No matter how stylish you want to be, your outer winter wear usually ruins the effect. If it’s cold enough, you still have to wear winter boots and layers with your cocktail dress, at least until you get to the door of the party.
It can snow anytime if a weird cold front comes in. It can be totally awkward to wake up in your tent and see inches of snow on the ground. Beware in the mountains where you can drive into a snow drift blown in the middle of the road any time.
Grant Eaton | Flickr
This is one weird Alaskan activity that only those from other Gold Rush areas will understand, but it’s a real thing. We actually squat by rivers and swish around dirt in a pan for fun. It seems ridiculous until you find your first bit of gold, then the Gold Fever sets in and there’s no stopping you.
Andrea Pokrzywinski | Flickr
Um… that’s just not something we share. We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.
Have you had an awkward Alaskan moment? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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