Iowans are easy to spot from a mile away – particularly if you grew up here in the Hawkeye State! Below are a few habits we’ve noticed that follow us for life… do any of them seem familiar to you?
- Taking the back roads
Flickr / Carl Wyckoff Around here, we go gravel whenever we can. Not only does it make for a more scenic drive, but it’s the easiest way to avoid traffic, and prove to your passengers that you totally know where you’re going.
- Paying attention to Iowa vs Iowa games
Flickr / Phil Roeder Even if you don’t like football, you’ll always know who won the game when Iowa State plays University of Iowa. These games are practically state holidays.
- Asking about prime rib specials on a weekend
Flickr / Thomas Hawk Doesn’t matter what state you’re in or where you’re dining. If it’s a weekend, you want to know about their prime rib.
- Bringing up famous Iowans and fun facts about Iowa history
Flickr / njron Did you know that Hoover was born here? Or that Jesse James’ first train robbery was in Iowa? Oh, and that famous American Gothic house is actually still standing here! Of course you knew all that - and so does anyone else who’s spent some time with you.
- Watching the river levels
Flickr / Alan Light Flooding is a huge part of life in some areas of Iowa, and if you grew up looking at river levels, you’ll pay attention to them for life, even when you move far from the flood plains.
- Getting excited about the state fair
Flickr / Phil Roeder When you head to a state that doesn’t seem to care about their State Fair, it’s always a bit of a surprise. We’re still excited about the Butter Cow over here.
- Bragging about the Loess Hills or cliffs and bluffs of the Driftless area
Flickr / Michael Leland “Iowa - but not like, the flat cornfield part!” is a pretty common way to tell someone where you’re from (if you’re NOT from the “flat cornfield part”)
- Counting down the days ‘til summer corn season
Flickr / Don Graham We might make jokes about being such a corn-y state, but when it comes down to it, there’s nothing quite like grilling up fresh summer corn to make you feel at home.
Flickr / Carl Wyckoff
Around here, we go gravel whenever we can. Not only does it make for a more scenic drive, but it’s the easiest way to avoid traffic, and prove to your passengers that you totally know where you’re going.
Flickr / Phil Roeder
Even if you don’t like football, you’ll always know who won the game when Iowa State plays University of Iowa. These games are practically state holidays.
Flickr / Thomas Hawk
Doesn’t matter what state you’re in or where you’re dining. If it’s a weekend, you want to know about their prime rib.
Flickr / njron
Did you know that Hoover was born here? Or that Jesse James’ first train robbery was in Iowa? Oh, and that famous American Gothic house is actually still standing here! Of course you knew all that - and so does anyone else who’s spent some time with you.
Flickr / Alan Light
Flooding is a huge part of life in some areas of Iowa, and if you grew up looking at river levels, you’ll pay attention to them for life, even when you move far from the flood plains.
When you head to a state that doesn’t seem to care about their State Fair, it’s always a bit of a surprise. We’re still excited about the Butter Cow over here.
Flickr / Michael Leland
“Iowa - but not like, the flat cornfield part!” is a pretty common way to tell someone where you’re from (if you’re NOT from the “flat cornfield part”)
Flickr / Don Graham
We might make jokes about being such a corn-y state, but when it comes down to it, there’s nothing quite like grilling up fresh summer corn to make you feel at home.
What funny Iowa habits follow you around? Tell us in the comments below!
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