Living in Arizona means that you’re kind of an oddball from the rest of the country. We rarely experience crazy weather like blizzards or tornadoes. We don’t use Daylight Saving Time. We have an abundance of sunshine, even more so than the Sunshine State! All of those make for people who are just a little bit…odd, perhaps? (I think we’re completely normal but I’ll let you be the judge of that.) Here are a few weird things about people who live in Arizona that others around the country may find a bit unusual.

1. We accept that yards can look like this.
Chris Yunker/Flickr
In fact, sometimes we prefer it to a grassy lawn.
2. Dry rivers and creeks are a totally natural thing.
Eric Vondy/Flickr
This is a river.
3. We know that water from the cold tap doesn’t always come out cold.
Jo Christian Oterhals/Flickr
There’s no feeling quite like your poor fingers sizzling under the lava water in the middle of an Arizona summer. It might as well look like this.
4. We explain to everyone that, yes, it does snow in Arizona.
Julius Whittington/Flickr
Maybe not everywhere but when it does, it’s simply magical.
5. By the way, we make a big deal about rain.
DaBinsi/Flickr
6. We’ll also tell you there’s no smell like the desert after a storm.
Neil Hunt/Flickr
OMG, that creosote!
7. In the summer, we go out of our way to make sure our skin gets in contact with hot objects as little as possible.
francois schnell/Flickr
Unless you have something like hands of steel, that is.

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8. We know that a car can become a death trap quickly, especially in summer.
Joshua Wells Photography/Flickr
If you can bake cookies in your car while watching a movie at the theater, it’s too hot to leave kids and pets in there!
9. We will gladly correct any mispronunciations of words like "saguaro" or "gila."
Josh More/Flickr
Don’t make this little guy sad that you can’t say his name!
10. Tell everyone where to find the best Mexican food but guard favorite natural areas with your life.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
11. We generally think this is a normal sight.
Dru Bloomfield/Flickr
12. We know that a cigarette butt or a campfire not properly extinguished can cause massive damage and heartache.
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
Homes are burned, lives are lost, and the effects for wildlife is devastating. Although it was started by lightning, you just need to remember the Yarnell Hill fire from 2013 to think of how terrible wildfires can be for humans and our animal neighbors.
13. Arizonans often celebrate Arizona Statehood Day instead of Valentine’s Day.
Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr
Who needs a bouquet of flowers and chocolates when you can have the Grand Canyon State?
14. We know our state is just as gorgeous as it looks in pictures.
Tsaiproject/Flickr

Want to read more odd things Arizonans tend to think and do? Check out 15 Weird Side Effects Everyone Experiences From Growing Up In Arizona. I bet you can relate to at least one or two of them!

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Weird Things About People Who Live In Arizona

Leah | June 03, 2020

What stereotypes are there about Arizona?

When it comes to Arizona stereotypes, there are quite a few - some a little far-fetched, others admittedly true. A lot of people think of the state as nothing but a hot desert. While it's true that there are arid deserts in Arizona and the temperatures soar well above 100 throughout summer, there are other places within the state that are cool and even get snow every year. Plus, the temperatures are much lower when it's not summer and even cold at night. Other people think there is pretty much nothing to Arizona besides Phoenix, Tuscon, and Flagstaff, which simply isn't true. The state has tons of towns - from teeny tiny to decent-sized - located all over the place.

What is Arizona known for?

Living in Arizona comes with some perks when it comes to being able to enjoy the many things the state is known for. Being the location of the Grand Canyon is easily one of the most well-known things about the state, and there's no denying that one. It's also known for being a source of delicious Mexican food, and that's true as well. You can find exceptionally tasty Mexican restaurants throughout the state, some popular and others hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Arizona is also known for its hot weather, which is true during summer, but in the fall and winter, the average is only in the 60s and sometimes as low as freezing during the night.

What are the worst things about living in Arizona?

Of all these strange habits of people in Arizona, there are some obvious downsides to living there. Although it's fantastic in so many other ways, here are a few of the worst parts of AZ life. Though the state isn't plagued with destructive natural disasters such as tornados or hurricanes, it does have to deal with the monsoon season. During the summer, the sky will go dark while a huge cloud of dust comes overhead. Arizona also has its fair share of dangerous critters. In certain areas, you might always have to check your shoes or keep the lights on while walking around the house at night to make sure you're not about to step on a scorpion. Outside, snakes and of course prickly cactus pose a threat to bare skin.

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