Here Are 12 Things People from Pennsylvania Do That Seem Insane To Everyone Else

Pennsylvania may be steeped in history, but daily life here comes with plenty of quirks that leave outsiders scratching their heads. To Pennsylvanians, these things are just normal traditions. To visitors, they can look like food experiments, driving nightmares, and sports rivalries turned up to eleven.

1. Put French Fries on Everything

Salads, sandwiches, pizza—you name it. If there’s room for fries, Pennsylvanians are adding them.

2. Treat the Philly Cheesesteak Like Sacred Ground

Order it wrong (“with Swiss and mayo”), and locals will exile you on the spot.

3. Debate Wawa vs. Sheetz Like It’s Life or Death

It’s not just gas station food—it’s a lifestyle. Outsiders don’t get the passion.

4. Obsess Over “Yinz” and “Youse” Like Grammar Lessons

Outsiders are confused. Locals in Pittsburgh and Philly both insist their slang is the right one.

5. Drop a Giant Hershey’s Kiss or a Bologna on New Year’s Eve

While other states drop balls, Pennsylvanians drop candy and meat. Outsiders are left speechless.

6. Call Interstate 76 “The Schuylkill” Without Warning Outsiders

Good luck pronouncing it right the first time. Locals just grin.

7. Cheer for the Eagles or Steelers Like It’s a Religion

Sundays are sacred, and the trash talk is biblical. Outsiders aren’t safe wearing the wrong jersey.

8. Eat Scrapple Without Questioning It

It’s a mystery meat breakfast brick. Outsiders hesitate; locals dig in.

9. Treat Groundhog Day Like a Legitimate Holiday

Punxsutawney Phil is basically royalty. Outsiders think it’s a joke; Pennsylvanians show up in the cold to watch it live.

10. Say “Hoagie” Instead of “Sub”

Don’t argue—it’s always been a hoagie here. Outsiders are corrected immediately.

11. Have Strong Opinions About PennDOT (Mostly Bad Ones)

Road construction is eternal. Outsiders complain once; locals complain for life.

12. Make Pierogies a Staple at Sporting Events

Baseball game? Football game? Outsiders expect hot dogs. Locals expect pierogies.

To outsiders, Pennsylvania’s habits might seem eccentric, messy, or downright insane. But to locals, they’re the quirks that make the Keystone State unforgettable. Stick around long enough and you’ll be eating scrapple, yelling “Go Birds!,” and debating Sheetz vs. Wawa like it’s a presidential election.