Moving to Utah Can Be Confusing…

Coming to Utah can be a culture shock, especially if you are from a funny place like Minnesota. I'm talking about my friend Heather. She moved to Southern Utah from the land of 10,000 lakes and I think it’s funny how she says her Os, like Minnes-oh-ta.  

I asked her to list the things that she found confusing or different since coming to the beehive state. She has spent time in Palm Springs so the desert heat wasn’t out of the ordinary. However, some of the cultural things were confusing for her at first. Here is her list: 

Stake - it's not what's for dinner?

Ward - there aren't still mental institutions around here are there? 

Where are the water towers?  Instead, we swim in our drinking water?  

I thought I was blending in really well for almost a year, when I found out that in Utah - shoulders are scandalous.  Oops!   

What's up with all these soda pop places, and cookie places?   Is everyone here diabetic... or on the track to be? 

Driving - I thought the drivers in California were crazy - they've got nothing on Utah. 

School zones.... where are the actual schools?  Why are there all these school zones when there is no school in sight?  (I admit, I was ticketed - I didn't know!)   

Coffee makers - not a common office appliance in Utah - the most common one everywhere else.

The Utah accent!!  Feel is "fill"  Deal is "dill"  etc. 

Pioneer Day!  Wait a minute - we get an extra holiday here?!! 

Heather is super nice and wanted to assure me she means no offense with her observations. I told her we are pretty "tuff" here in Utah and know some things can be a bit peculiar. And besides, if she keeps being that nice, she really will start to blend in.