Awkward moments are a part of life no matter where you call home. When you live in a place as unique as Oregon, however, it’s a given that from time to time you’ll find yourself experiencing awkward encounters that are specific to life in the Beaver State. If you’ve spent a considerable amount of time living in Oregon, chances are you’ll relate to these 11 awkward moments:
- When you’re in another state and you forget you have to pump your own gas.
flickr/ Mike Mozart Unlike almost every other state in the U.S., you’re not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon. This can be quite startling when you’re spacing out at an out-of-state gas station waiting for someone to fill up your tank for you.
- When the sun finally comes out and you don’t know how to contain your happiness.
flickr/ Alex Bellink After months of rain, fog, and clouds, a sunny day in Oregon can feel like the most magical thing in the world. Walking around town, you might actually see people frolicking in fields and jumping for joy.
- When you want to go out to eat but there are so many amazing restaurants that you literally cannot choose.
flickr/ David Wright As the Uncle Ben once said to Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility”. The same could be said for great restaurants. With so many amazing, unique eateries around, choosing which one to dine at is no simple task.
- When you tell someone you’re from Oregon and they automatically assume you’re from Portland.
flickr/ The West End “You’re from Oregon? Do you know Fred and Carrie?”
- When you’re traveling out of state and you wonder to yourself, where’s all the nature?
flickr/ David Howard When you live in Oregon, you get used to seeing stunning scenery and incredible natural wonders on a regular basis. There are mountains, an ocean, deserts, lush forests, raging rivers… It’s easy to forget that not everywhere is home to such phenomenal, dramatic landscapes.
- When someone says “the beach” and you know they mean “the coast”.
flickr/ Loren Kerns Most people refer to traveling to the ocean as “going to be beach”. However, In Oregon, we call it “going to the coast”. Don’t get me wrong – there are many beautiful beaches, but sandy coves aren’t all the Oregon Coast has to offer.
- When you wake up on a spring day and have no idea whether to wear shorts or a parka.
flickr/ Harika Reddy Is it going to be hot or cold? Rainy or sunny? There’s just no telling on a spring day in Oregon. Often, you’ll experience multiple seasons all in one day. And don’t even get me started on hay fever allergies.
- When you’re drinking in another state and you ask what microbrews they have on tap, only to receive a blank stare.
flickr/ Quinn Dombrowski We Oregonians sure love our craft microbrews. Only when we leave the Beaver State do we realize how spoiled we are to have so many excellent, locally-brewed beer choices.
When someone asks you directions and you can only give them landmarks.
flickr/ marquams.mama.jl “Turn left after you pass the huge spinning milk carton, cross the freeway, and keep going until you see Paul Bunyan.”
- When you overhear someone giving directions and they mispronounce all the street names.
flickr/ Jari Salomaa Okay Okay, we’re more forgiving than that. Many of Oregon’s streets, towns, rivers, etc. have unique names that can aren’t always pronounced phonetically. For example, Portland’s Couch Street is pronounced “Cooch Street”.
When people ask about your summer plans and you go on to describe in detail every single day trip, hike, and camping trip you’re going on.
flickr/ Loren Kerns Oregonians don’t just admire nature; for many of us, it’s a lifestyle. If you ask an Oregonian about their summer plans it’s likely that you’ll hear about all those countless, planned-in-advance weekend trips spent exploring the great outdoors.
Want some amazing things to do this summer? Check out our list of Unforgettable Oregon Adventures.
flickr/ Mike Mozart
Unlike almost every other state in the U.S., you’re not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon. This can be quite startling when you’re spacing out at an out-of-state gas station waiting for someone to fill up your tank for you.
flickr/ Alex Bellink
After months of rain, fog, and clouds, a sunny day in Oregon can feel like the most magical thing in the world. Walking around town, you might actually see people frolicking in fields and jumping for joy.
flickr/ David Wright
As the Uncle Ben once said to Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility”. The same could be said for great restaurants. With so many amazing, unique eateries around, choosing which one to dine at is no simple task.
flickr/ The West End
“You’re from Oregon? Do you know Fred and Carrie?”
flickr/ David Howard
When you live in Oregon, you get used to seeing stunning scenery and incredible natural wonders on a regular basis. There are mountains, an ocean, deserts, lush forests, raging rivers… It’s easy to forget that not everywhere is home to such phenomenal, dramatic landscapes.
flickr/ Loren Kerns
Most people refer to traveling to the ocean as “going to be beach”. However, In Oregon, we call it “going to the coast”. Don’t get me wrong – there are many beautiful beaches, but sandy coves aren’t all the Oregon Coast has to offer.
flickr/ Harika Reddy
Is it going to be hot or cold? Rainy or sunny? There’s just no telling on a spring day in Oregon. Often, you’ll experience multiple seasons all in one day. And don’t even get me started on hay fever allergies.
flickr/ Quinn Dombrowski
We Oregonians sure love our craft microbrews. Only when we leave the Beaver State do we realize how spoiled we are to have so many excellent, locally-brewed beer choices.
flickr/ marquams.mama.jl
“Turn left after you pass the huge spinning milk carton, cross the freeway, and keep going until you see Paul Bunyan.”
flickr/ Jari Salomaa
Okay Okay, we’re more forgiving than that. Many of Oregon’s streets, towns, rivers, etc. have unique names that can aren’t always pronounced phonetically. For example, Portland’s Couch Street is pronounced “Cooch Street”.
Oregonians don’t just admire nature; for many of us, it’s a lifestyle. If you ask an Oregonian about their summer plans it’s likely that you’ll hear about all those countless, planned-in-advance weekend trips spent exploring the great outdoors.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
