Washington is just like any other state (except, you know, just a bit more beautiful). That being said, those of us who were born and raised here certainly develop our own quirks that others might find a bit odd. Luckily, we’re way too busy enjoying our lives in the Evergreen State to care.
- We almost never use umbrellas.
Steve Kaiser / Flickr The running joke in Seattle is that you can always spot a tourist by the umbrella. But the anti-umbrella stance seems to have spread statewide. We will make exceptions for monsoon-like rain, but in general, we’re just not bothered by a little water.
- We get ridiculously excited when the sun comes out.
Nickay3111 / Flickr Yes, even Eastern Washingtonians get excited to see the sun after an especially dismal winter. We wear shorts when we shouldn’t, we call in sick to work, and we’re exceptionally nice to strangers.
- We pass up chain establishments—even the ones that originated here—for small local businesses.
Marco Paköeningrat / Flickr We like to support small businesses, and besides, their food and drinks usually taste better.
- We have trolls…
Megan / Flickr This is Seattle’s Fremont Troll.
- … and trash-eating goats.
Ingrid Richter / Flickr You’ll find this guy in Spokane.
- We celebrate our sports teams like no other.
Michael B / Flickr From the Super Bowl parade of 2014 that basically shut down all of Western Washington to the tirades you’ll still endure when you mention the Sonics (RIP), not to mention our loud and proud Sounder Nation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more supportive group of sports fans than we have here.
- We’re not afraid to try exotic foods.
takaokun / Flickr Washington is a cultural melting pot, and that includes the dining scene. Many of us enjoy menudo, bone marrow, fresh oysters, uni (sea urchin), octopus, and pho regularly.
- We live a peaceful life along the Cascadia subduction zone.
chris tarnawski / Flickr Yes, we’re aware that a monstrous earthquake and potential tsunami could happen at any time. But what place on Earth doesn’t have risks?
- If you ask us where we’re from, we’ll say “Washington State” so you don’t think we’re from D.C.
Pat Strosahl / Flickr This isn’t really all that crazy, it just seems odd because no other state has to do it.
Washington is an amazing place, eccentric or not. Here are a few surefire ways to know someone is from our state.
Steve Kaiser / Flickr
The running joke in Seattle is that you can always spot a tourist by the umbrella. But the anti-umbrella stance seems to have spread statewide. We will make exceptions for monsoon-like rain, but in general, we’re just not bothered by a little water.
Nickay3111 / Flickr
Yes, even Eastern Washingtonians get excited to see the sun after an especially dismal winter. We wear shorts when we shouldn’t, we call in sick to work, and we’re exceptionally nice to strangers.
Marco Paköeningrat / Flickr
We like to support small businesses, and besides, their food and drinks usually taste better.
Megan / Flickr
This is Seattle’s Fremont Troll.
Ingrid Richter / Flickr
You’ll find this guy in Spokane.
Michael B / Flickr
From the Super Bowl parade of 2014 that basically shut down all of Western Washington to the tirades you’ll still endure when you mention the Sonics (RIP), not to mention our loud and proud Sounder Nation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more supportive group of sports fans than we have here.
takaokun / Flickr
Washington is a cultural melting pot, and that includes the dining scene. Many of us enjoy menudo, bone marrow, fresh oysters, uni (sea urchin), octopus, and pho regularly.
chris tarnawski / Flickr
Yes, we’re aware that a monstrous earthquake and potential tsunami could happen at any time. But what place on Earth doesn’t have risks?
Pat Strosahl / Flickr
This isn’t really all that crazy, it just seems odd because no other state has to do it.
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