Sitting in Perkins, Grove City, yesterday morning, one of my
friends noticed evidence she was back in Pennsylvania: Nestled among the grape jelly packets were
apple butter packets. Other friends who have lived in a variety of states
chimed in with more signs we were in PA.
We drive on the other side of the road. Just kidding! We’re
only trying to pass an Amish buggy.
Heinz, not Hunts
We have 100 varieties of pasta, but no grits.
We have 50 varieties of cole slaw, and half of the varieties
are spelled cold slaw, but that’s a blog for another day.
You can’t find New England Brown Bread, except in a little
can in the grocery store.
You may be addressed as yinz
in Pittsburgh, and you’ins in
Snyder County, but never as y’all.
Come to my home state to be called you
guys.
Our state animal is the passive aggressive human. Exhibit
A: The tee shirt featuring a bullet hole
and blood with the motto “I’m fine.”
There are hitching posts at Dollar General, because, hey,
Amish need to shop, too.
Sauerkraut has a rich, full life, not limited to topping a
hot dog. It simmers for hours with pork until they absorb each other’s flavors
and then it lands atop a mess of mashed potatoes. And you’d better eat it on January
1 or your happy new year will be over before the confetti settles.
There is no Wa Wa. Waaaah!
There is no pork roll. You have to cross a state line to get
it.
Shoo, fly! isn’t something you say to a pesky insect. It’s a
pie.
What have you noticed, enjoyed, or hated that is particular
to Pennsylvania? Share in the comments below.
Things I enjoy that are from PA: Snyder's snacks (chips and pretzels), DeLallo Italian foods, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, the cookie table at a wedding reception, and most important of all - my family. (I was born in PA.) Things that I have noticed: we call the state "PA," state stores, the accent or dialect or what things are called (for example, I grew up next to a "crick"), and lots of bridges. The one thing that I really do not care for, but almost always am compelled to have when I visit family, are Coney dogs. I don't like the local chili that goes on top. Sorry!
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