It’s inevitable in life that you’ll meet new people from out-of-state and exchange pleasantries that include the question, “Where are you from?” When they learn you’re an Oklahoman, for some odd reason, they ask the strangest questions. They either saw the musical Oklahoma! or watched Grapes of Wrath and still think of the state stuck in those eras. Either way, I have learned to have fun with the questions and give them a dose of sarcasm for the “stereotypical” ones. Here are 17 things people always ask when they know you’re from Oklahoma:
- Have you ever been in a tornado?
Flickr/Antonio Lordelo That depends. If you live in Moore, then yes. The majority of Oklahomans have not, but those who have will always remember.
- Have you ever been cow tipping?
Flickr/George Thomas No. That’s animal cruelty.
- Did you marry your cousin?
Flickr/Irina Patrascu Wrong state. Try one state to the east - Arkansas.
- How do you stand the heat?
Flickr/Conservation Law Foundation Just like everyone else…air conditioning and water.
- What is there to do in Oklahoma, anyway?
Flickr/OakleyOriginals
Flickr/Lane Pearman Well, we start the day by taking the horse and buggy to town for a visit to the General Store to pick up supplies, then head back before the wind comes sweeping down the plain. All sarcasm aside, we have plenty to do that makes life fun and exciting.
- Does everyone drive trucks?
Flickr/Sid Sowder Well most of us do, only if the horse and buggy isn’t available.
- What’s the deal with Will Rogers?
Flickr/Janice Waltzer Don’t you know he is “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son?” Rogers was born in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma) in 1879. He became one of the most famous American media stars during the 1920s and 1930s. Oklahoma has many places dedicated in his honor, including an airport and a highway.
- Is everyone in Oklahoma obsessed with college football?
Flickr/Frank Boston Not everyone is a fanatic, but you’ll know when you see them.
- Is there anything you don’t deep-fry?
Flickr/imelda That’s up for debate. Our broccoli maybe?
- Do you live in the country on a farm?
Flickr/OakleyOriginals While many Oklahomans do live in the country, maybe even on a farm, most live in metropolitan areas.
- Are there any trees in Oklahoma?
Flickr/Chris Zuniga Actually, a whole region in northeastern Oklahoma is referred to as Green Country and is filled with lush green trees, on top of the many other trees across the state.
- Oh, you’re an Okie from Muskogee?
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM It’s just a song guys…except for the 38,000 people that actually live in Muskogee.
- Does it snow there?
Flickr/Thomas & Dianne Jones Yes, snow, sleet, ice and hail…every year, year after year.
- Better question…Do Oklahomans know how to drive in snow?
Flickr/Chris Scott I plead the 5th.
- Do you have real earthquakes?
Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey We do now…even more than California. A damaged home in central Oklahoma from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Nov. 6, 2011, is shown above.
- Is the dirt really red?
Flickr/Franklin B. Thompson As red as red clay soil can be.
- Why is the state called the Sooner state?
zazzle.co.uk Because the sooner you meet us, the sooner you’ll like us. Alright…On April 22, 1889 the unassigned lands of the Indian Territory (later called Oklahoma Territory) were opened to settlers. Thousands of people lined up on the border and, when the signal was given, they raced into the territory to claim their land. Some people went in early to stake claims. They became known as “Sooners.” In 1908, the University of Oklahoma adopted “Sooners” as the nickname of its football team. Eventually, Oklahoma became known as “The Sooner State.”
Which questions do you hear the most when people find out you are from Oklahoma? What’s your best comeback for the “stereotypical” questions?
Flickr/Antonio Lordelo
That depends. If you live in Moore, then yes. The majority of Oklahomans have not, but those who have will always remember.
Flickr/George Thomas
No. That’s animal cruelty.
Flickr/Irina Patrascu
Wrong state. Try one state to the east - Arkansas.
Flickr/Conservation Law Foundation
Just like everyone else…air conditioning and water.
Flickr/OakleyOriginals
Flickr/Lane Pearman
Well, we start the day by taking the horse and buggy to town for a visit to the General Store to pick up supplies, then head back before the wind comes sweeping down the plain. All sarcasm aside, we have plenty to do that makes life fun and exciting.
Flickr/Sid Sowder
Well most of us do, only if the horse and buggy isn’t available.
Flickr/Janice Waltzer
Don’t you know he is “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son?” Rogers was born in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma) in 1879. He became one of the most famous American media stars during the 1920s and 1930s. Oklahoma has many places dedicated in his honor, including an airport and a highway.
Flickr/Frank Boston
Not everyone is a fanatic, but you’ll know when you see them.
Flickr/imelda
That’s up for debate. Our broccoli maybe?
While many Oklahomans do live in the country, maybe even on a farm, most live in metropolitan areas.
Flickr/Chris Zuniga
Actually, a whole region in northeastern Oklahoma is referred to as Green Country and is filled with lush green trees, on top of the many other trees across the state.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
It’s just a song guys…except for the 38,000 people that actually live in Muskogee.
Flickr/Thomas & Dianne Jones
Yes, snow, sleet, ice and hail…every year, year after year.
Flickr/Chris Scott
I plead the 5th.
Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey
We do now…even more than California. A damaged home in central Oklahoma from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Nov. 6, 2011, is shown above.
Flickr/Franklin B. Thompson
As red as red clay soil can be.
zazzle.co.uk
Because the sooner you meet us, the sooner you’ll like us. Alright…On April 22, 1889 the unassigned lands of the Indian Territory (later called Oklahoma Territory) were opened to settlers. Thousands of people lined up on the border and, when the signal was given, they raced into the territory to claim their land. Some people went in early to stake claims. They became known as “Sooners.” In 1908, the University of Oklahoma adopted “Sooners” as the nickname of its football team. Eventually, Oklahoma became known as “The Sooner State.”
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