Sometimes it takes travel to realize how weird everyday occurrences can seem to people outside of the state. Here are a few things that Arizonans do (and say) that are normal to us but may seem a bit strange.

1. Record our brief weather events en masse.
Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr
Pics or it didn’t happen.
2. In addition to that, we report every drop of rain that falls, including the miniscule 0.01 inches.
wsssst/Flickr
3. Enjoy large personal space.
Gayle Nicholson/Flickr
My boyfriend is from the East Coast, so his personal bubble is pretty small. I think Arizonans tend to feel that anyone closer than elbow-length is too close.
4. Like other people in western states, we don’t tend to dress up very often.
Piet Hell/Flickr
OK, maybe for special occasions but our typical outfits tend to be more casual than places further east.
5. Speaking of clothes, we carry sweaters or hoodies in summer.
Chimpr/Flickr
There are two reasons for this. 1) Despite how hot the day temperatures may be, the evening temperatures can quickly get cold. 2) Some places crank the AC temperature way down in the middle of summer so there can be a 40-degree difference between the inside and outside temperatures of a building.

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6. We make remarks like, “Oh, the high is only supposed to reach 105 today.”
Jennifer Boyer/Flickr
Only 105-degrees.
7. We go out of our way to find shaded parking, even if it only covers a small portion of the car.
Dorian Wallender/Flickr
Also even if it means walking five minutes in searing temperatures to reach our destination. At least the car won’t completely burn us when we return.
8. Attempt to cook food in cars or on the street in summer.
Kate Ter Harr/Flickr
I have yet to find proof this actually works. I don’t want to waste food on experimenting.
9. Some Arizonans eat an assortment of foods that may come across as weird: cactus, mesquite pods, snake, javelina, and chupalines.
Al_HikesAZ/Flickr
10. Arizonans have a tendency to demolish landmarks and historic buildings in order to build something new.
Kevin Spencer/Flickr
As a former architecture major and the daughter of an architect/urban planner, I find this more sad than weird.
11. Ostrich races, festivals and farms are kind of weird, too.
Annette White/Flickr
I mean, they aren’t even from this continent so that kind of commitment is a little mind boggling.

What are some other weird things we Zonies tend to do?

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