South Dakotans are the best kind of people in the country. We’re kind, generous and also tough as nails. We think our way of life is the best possible way, and we often don’t understand why outsiders are confused at some of our everyday behavior. Here are 10 habits many South Dakotans have that might seem a bit strange to others, but we’ll defend them til we die.

1. We have a natural hatred for North Dakotans.
South Dakota Memes/Facebook
Why? They didn't do anything to us (except that they're always sitting there north of us, being annoying). And when a tourist confuses the two states...watch out.
2. South Dakotans refuse to pronounce the name of our capitol city in the most common way.
Richard Bauer/flickr
Pee-air? Nope. We say "peer."
3. We deal with bad weather with a large helping of stoicism.
Jenni Konrad/flickr
Sure we get crazy winds and freezing blizzards, but we don't get all whiny about it.
4. We have a friendly rivalry with those from the "wrong" side of the river.
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Are you east river or west river? Depending on where you live, the other side is the "wrong" side.
5. We enjoy spending the day shooting big guns at birds.
USFWS Prairie/flickr
People from big east coast cities look stupified when they see us shooting ducks and pheasants. And young girls shooting shotguns? Unheard of! This isn't a strange habit in many states, but some outsiders think it is.

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6. We're friendly from the get-go.
Spark Brookings/flickr
When we see an unfamiliar face in a coffee shop, we're likely to smile, say hello and start up a conversation. We don't think this is strange...we were taught good manners and friendliness when we were kids.
7. South Dakotans eat their chili with a side of cinnamon roll.
Alan/flickr
I've heard varying feedback on this habit - some say they always eat chili with a warm, gooey cinnamon roll on the side, and others have never even heard of this practice. It's strange...but strangely delicious.
8. We say we're going to the "big city" when we head to Rapid City or Sioux Falls.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
In South Dakota, a "small town" is one with a population of less than 250 people. Everything else is just "town." And cities with more than 30,000 people are definitely "big."
9. South Dakotans get crazy about football teams that aren't even in South Dakota.
Mark Powell/flickr
If you're a football fan in South Dakota, you typically cheer for either the Minnesota Vikings or the Green Bay Packers. When they play each other, things can get tense...and neither team is even in our state!
10. Fourteen-year-old South Dakotans have a strange habit of driving cars around.
Lindsey Kone/flickr
Once they get that learner permit, there's no stopping them! Of course, some of them have been driving farm trucks and tractors since they were old enough to reach the gas pedal.

What other weird habits to we have? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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