People sure ask the strangest things when they find out you’re from Alaska. I’ve heard a lot of stupid questions too, like “Are there even grocery stores up there?” or “Do you have to ski to work?” I always roll my eyes and offer up a sarcastic answer… Yes, the sun shines on Alaska 24/7 all year round because we rock and why shouldn’t it. Here are some other very odd and awkward questions people from Alaska hear a lot when they travel outside the state.
- Have you ever met Sarah Palin?
Roger H. Goun | Flickr Just because there are maybe 10 people in Alaska and Sarah Palin is one of the only famous person from around these parts doesn’t mean EVERYONE has met or seen Sarah Palin… Living in Alaska doesn’t always mean they like Sarah Palin either.
- Do you get the internet up there?
Karen | Flickr This one always makes me roll my eyes. Yeah, sure, we don’t have the internet up here, we’re way too far away from the rest of America unfortunately. Life in Alaska is far more modern than many people in the lower 48 give us credit for.
- Does everyone live in igloos?
booizzy | Flickr If by “igloos" you mean the Inuit translation of “houses"… then yes, everyone lives in igloos, it’s crazy.
- Can you see Russia from Alaska?
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center | Flickr No, and yes. There is one magical spot when the tide is really low on this tiny little island way out in the ocean that you might, maybe just a little bit, kinda sorta be able to see Russia from on a really blue bird day with super strong Spiderman vision. I know, I know, Spiderman doesn’t have the powers of super strong vision but you get the point… it’s not easy or normal to see Russia from Alaska.
- What kind of money do you use up there?
Jason Devaun | Flickr Monopoly money, of course. And we all wear top hats and drive around in little silver cars. Go Alaska! This is a head scratcher, when most people don’t realize that Alaska is a part of the United States and uses the dollar.
- Aren’t you scared of all those bears?
ashokboghani | Flickr Attack!!!!! No, Alaskans are actually pretty smart and we don’t get attacked by the wildlife on a daily basis. That’s a job for tourists.
Bonus point: Who noticed that there are penguins in this picture and angrily thought, “There aren’t penguins in Alaska!!!!!” Good for you.
- Do you really get paid to live there?
Bart | Flickr No, no we don’t. So don’t go telling everyone that we do, and start moving up here or anything like that.
- Isn’t it dark all year round?
nebojsa mladjenovic | Flickr No, there isn’t a single place in Alaska that it is dark all year round. Unless you dig a hole in the ground and stick your head in it, you’re going to have to face the sun like the rest of us. What people misunderstand is that there is long periods of darkness above the Arctic Circle during the winter time. But conversely, there are long periods of daylight, too during the summer.
- Does it ever get above freezing?
_T604 | Flickr Yeah, but it’s cold a lot so we learn to deal with it. See? We tan and ski at the same time. In the summer time in the Interior of Alaska, you’ll sometimes even get temperatures above 90 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aren’t the mosquitos the size of footballs?
Sanofi Pasteur | Flickr No! But they are huge though.
- You live in Alaska? So that means you live in the bush?
Denali National Park and Preserve | Flickr Alaska is pretty rugged, but even people who live outside of town still don’t live in “the bush.” Alaska stereotypes aren’t always representative of everyone who lives in this state.
As people from Alaska, I’m sure you’ve heard many more funny questions. Let us know what other quirky questions you’ve heard in the comments! I’m sure they will be amusing, and we want to hear it!
Roger H. Goun | Flickr
Just because there are maybe 10 people in Alaska and Sarah Palin is one of the only famous person from around these parts doesn’t mean EVERYONE has met or seen Sarah Palin… Living in Alaska doesn’t always mean they like Sarah Palin either.
Karen | Flickr
This one always makes me roll my eyes. Yeah, sure, we don’t have the internet up here, we’re way too far away from the rest of America unfortunately. Life in Alaska is far more modern than many people in the lower 48 give us credit for.
booizzy | Flickr
If by “igloos” you mean the Inuit translation of “houses"… then yes, everyone lives in igloos, it’s crazy.
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center | Flickr
No, and yes. There is one magical spot when the tide is really low on this tiny little island way out in the ocean that you might, maybe just a little bit, kinda sorta be able to see Russia from on a really blue bird day with super strong Spiderman vision. I know, I know, Spiderman doesn’t have the powers of super strong vision but you get the point… it’s not easy or normal to see Russia from Alaska.
Jason Devaun | Flickr
Monopoly money, of course. And we all wear top hats and drive around in little silver cars. Go Alaska! This is a head scratcher, when most people don’t realize that Alaska is a part of the United States and uses the dollar.
ashokboghani | Flickr
Attack!!!!! No, Alaskans are actually pretty smart and we don’t get attacked by the wildlife on a daily basis. That’s a job for tourists.
Bonus point: Who noticed that there are penguins in this picture and angrily thought, “There aren’t penguins in Alaska!!!!!” Good for you.
Bart | Flickr
No, no we don’t. So don’t go telling everyone that we do, and start moving up here or anything like that.
nebojsa mladjenovic | Flickr
No, there isn’t a single place in Alaska that it is dark all year round. Unless you dig a hole in the ground and stick your head in it, you’re going to have to face the sun like the rest of us. What people misunderstand is that there is long periods of darkness above the Arctic Circle during the winter time. But conversely, there are long periods of daylight, too during the summer.
_T604 | Flickr
Yeah, but it’s cold a lot so we learn to deal with it. See? We tan and ski at the same time. In the summer time in the Interior of Alaska, you’ll sometimes even get temperatures above 90 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sanofi Pasteur | Flickr
No! But they are huge though.
Denali National Park and Preserve | Flickr
Alaska is pretty rugged, but even people who live outside of town still don’t live in “the bush.” Alaska stereotypes aren’t always representative of everyone who lives in this state.
If you love living in this fantastic state, here are 12 Reasons Why People In Alaska Should be Proud Of Their State.
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Address: Alaska, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
People From Alaska November 03, 2020 Megan McDonald Is it expensive to live in Alaska? Yes, it can be very expensive to live in this state. Just about everything needs to be trucked or shipped in, which can make everyday items incredibly costly. The city of Anchorage offers the most affordable prices, from housing to groceries, but it is still much higher than the rest of the country. When you head out to the remote towns and villages, prices raise exponentially. You can end up paying over $60.00 for liquid laundry detergent. While it’s expensive to live here, it is totally and utterly worth it to be surrounded by this stunning scenery. Are people from Alaska different from the rest of the United States? There is definitely some character traits that do very well in our state. Hardy, adventurous, and brave personality types love Alaska and everything it has to offer. Being able to withstand the extremes of temperatures and landscape, gifts Alaskans with all of the beauty that this gorgeous state has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
People From Alaska
November 03, 2020
Megan McDonald
Is it expensive to live in Alaska? Yes, it can be very expensive to live in this state. Just about everything needs to be trucked or shipped in, which can make everyday items incredibly costly. The city of Anchorage offers the most affordable prices, from housing to groceries, but it is still much higher than the rest of the country. When you head out to the remote towns and villages, prices raise exponentially. You can end up paying over $60.00 for liquid laundry detergent. While it’s expensive to live here, it is totally and utterly worth it to be surrounded by this stunning scenery. Are people from Alaska different from the rest of the United States? There is definitely some character traits that do very well in our state. Hardy, adventurous, and brave personality types love Alaska and everything it has to offer. Being able to withstand the extremes of temperatures and landscape, gifts Alaskans with all of the beauty that this gorgeous state has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Yes, it can be very expensive to live in this state. Just about everything needs to be trucked or shipped in, which can make everyday items incredibly costly. The city of Anchorage offers the most affordable prices, from housing to groceries, but it is still much higher than the rest of the country. When you head out to the remote towns and villages, prices raise exponentially. You can end up paying over $60.00 for liquid laundry detergent. While it’s expensive to live here, it is totally and utterly worth it to be surrounded by this stunning scenery.
Are people from Alaska different from the rest of the United States?
There is definitely some character traits that do very well in our state. Hardy, adventurous, and brave personality types love Alaska and everything it has to offer. Being able to withstand the extremes of temperatures and landscape, gifts Alaskans with all of the beauty that this gorgeous state has to offer.
