PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, is a land of rich history, rolling hills, and a quirky charm that's hard to pin down. From its bustling cities to its quiet rural corners, the state's residents—Pennsylvanians—have cultivated habits and traditions that might seem bizarre to outsiders. As of March 11, 2025, these quirks are still alive and well, blending the state's unique cultural roots with a dash of eccentricity.
5 Weird Things Pennsylvanians Do That Leave Outsiders Scratching Their Heads
Here are five weird things Pennsylvanians do that set them apart—and might just make you want to visit to see for yourself.
1. Fries on Everything: Sandwiches, Salads, You Name It
If there's one thing Pennsylvanians love, it's piling French fries on everything. This culinary quirk started with Pittsburgh's iconic Primanti Brothers, where sandwiches come stacked with fries and coleslaw between the bread. But it doesn't stop there—fries on salads, known locally as "Pittsburgh salads," are a staple, too. Outsiders might raise an eyebrow at this carb-on-carb action, but it's a delicious norm for Pennsylvanians. One local saying sums it up: "If it's not topped with fries, is it even food?" In 2025, this trend's still going strong, with eateries across the state doubling down on the fry obsession.
2. Dropping "To Be" Like It's Hot
Ever hear a Pennsylvanian say, "The car needs washed" or "The dog wants fed"? That's right—they often ditch the phrase "to be" in everyday speech, a linguistic tic that's equally efficient and baffling. Rooted in the state's Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, this grammar quirk is so ingrained that locals barely notice it. Linguists call it a regional dialect feature, but it's a head-scratcher to out-of-staters. In 2025, you'll still hear it from Philly to Pittsburgh—proof that some habits die hard.
3. Lawn Mower Racing: Full Throttle Fun
Forget horsepower under the hood—Pennsylvanians are all about horsepower on the lawn. Lawn mower racing is a beloved pastime in rural pockets like Butler and Lewistown, where folks soup up their mowers and race them like they're at NASCAR. It's not just a quirky hobby; it's a community event with cheering crowds and bragging rights on the line. While the rest of the country might see lawnmowers as mundane chore machines, they're vehicles of glory in Pennsylvania. The 2025 season's already gearing up, with racers fine-tuning their blades for speed.
4. Soda vs. Pop: The Great Debate
Ask for a carbonated drink in Pennsylvania, and you'll stumble into a regional showdown: Is it "soda" or "pop"? Most of the state leans toward "soda," but head west—especially around Pittsburgh—and "pop" reigns supreme. This linguistic divide isn't just a word choice; it's a point of pride, sparking friendly debates at diners and gas stations. Outsiders might pick a side and move on, but Pennsylvanians will argue it with the passion of a Steelers-Eagles rivalry. In 2025, the soda-pop saga continues, as fizzy as ever.
5. Shorts and a Sweatshirt: Weather? What Weather?
Pennsylvania's weather is famously unpredictable—snow one day, sunshine the next—but its residents have a uniform for it all: shorts paired with a sweatshirt. Whether it's a crisp fall day, a chilly spring morning, or even a mild winter afternoon, this combo is a common sight. It's practical yet perplexing, a testament to Pennsylvanians' stubborn refusal to let finicky forecasts dictate their wardrobe. In 2025, you'll spot this look statewide, from Erie's lakefront to Lancaster's Amish country—a true badge of local resilience.
Why These Quirks Matter
These five habits—fries on everything, skipping "to be," lawn mower racing, the soda-pop split, and the shorts-sweatshirt combo—aren't just oddities; they're threads in Pennsylvania's cultural fabric. They reflect a state shaped by diverse immigrant roots, industrial grit, and a knack for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. A 2019 PennLive piece dubbed Pennsylvania "the strangest state" for reasons like these, and six years later, that strangeness still shines.
Next time you're in Pennsylvania, don't just pass through—dive into the quirks. Order a sandwich with fries on it, try saying "needs fixed" without blinking, or catch a lawn mower race if you're lucky. You might not get the soda-pop debate settled, but you'll leave with a story or two—and maybe a new appreciation for this wonderfully weird state. In 2025, Pennsylvania's quirks aren't fading; they're thriving. So, what's the weirdest thing you've seen a Pennsylvanian do?
