Coast to coast differences

[MagicalMom]

I have noticed on a couple of thread just how different things can be coast to coast. Such as the shower thread. I have never been to a shower that wasn't a surprise. I also noticed on the elopment thread that cash is not the usual gift in the south. We only received a couple of presents at our wedding, most people gave cash.

I am wondering what other differences there are. Have any of you moved & noticed any surprising traditions?

 

[msteddom]

One thing I've noticed being a born and bred WC girl, is how early many families in other parts of the country seem to eat dinner. Many transplanted families out here sit down right at 5:30. My family, along with most of the natives I know don't even think about eating until 7 or 7:30. I know it's not entirely a coastal thing, but I have noticed a pattern.

Melissa

 

[MagicalMom]

That's interesting, we're 5:30 eaters. We eat Dinner, but I have heard some of the older generation refer to it as supper.

 

[aprilgail2]

On here I learned that there are places where people come into your house and actually take their shoes off like they live there LOL..that blows me away!.....that NEVER happens around here.

 

[diznygirl]

In LA, 7:30 is about the earliest you can think about sitting down for dinner - after getting off work, sitting in traffic for an hour, then cooking.

Here in FL we eat dinner at 6-6:30 most nights. What to do with the rest of the evening?

 

[MagicalMom]

When we lived on the eastern shore of MD people usually came to the back door instead of the front door. They also called their drive ways "the lane".

 

[tiggersmom2]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
On here I learned that there are places where people come into your house and actually take their shoes off like they live there LOL..that blows me away!.....that NEVER happens around here.

Oh yeah! ANYONE who wants to come in my house must take off their shoes!!! What can I say, I've got WHITE carpet!

 

[littleclover]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
On here I learned that there are places where people come into your house and actually take their shoes off like they live there LOL..that blows me away!.....that NEVER happens around here.

We do that here (Chicago), well at least a bunch of my friends, my sister and myself do. Keeps the carpets looking much nicer, especially during the winter months.

 

[buzzlady]

There are brand name foods that are different. I have a friend that moved to MO (from NJ) recently. There are many foods that she can't get in MO that she was used to here. Some of the items are Tastykakes, certain brands of hot dogs and ice cream.

 

[MagicalMom]

I've always wondered if you can get Grandma UTZ everywhere or if that is just a regional thing. If so, I will never move from this area.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by MagicalMom
I've always wondered if you can get Grandma UTZ everywhere or if that is just a regional thing. If so, I will never move from this area.

Oh, Grandma Utz, heaven in a bag.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by phillybeth
Oh, Grandma Utz, heaven in a bag.

Never heard of it.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

mmmm UTZ. It's definately regional.

 

[phillybeth]

Grandma Utz are old-fashioned potato chips. Thick cut and cooked in lard. Even the bags look like the old-fashioned brown paper bags that the company first used. They are soooooo good.

 

[arminnie]

Well - not a west coast or east coast thing but a Gulf coast saying - the neutral ground.

Do you know what the neutral ground is?



It's what we call the median - the grassy area between the lanes of a divided street. Actually I think it's mostly New Orleans that says neutral ground.

How about "making groceries"? I love New Orleans - it's one of the truly unique places in the US.

 

[disneychrista]

Pop, Soda, Coke

 

[phillybeth]

Speaking of groceries, what do you put them in? A bag, a sack or a poke? I think bag is East Coast and sack is Midwestern, but I'm not sure.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I have been in the midwest my whole life and have always called it a bag.
edited to add-Dinner between 6:30 and 7
Shoes off in the winter

 

[Meriweather]

grocery bag here.
dinner at 7:30
shoes off when entering the house

 

[aprilgail2]

Soda (pop is someones grandpa LOL!)

Dinner anywhere from 415-630 depending on after school activities..if none than 5pm

Grocery bags (Pokes?? Why would a bag be called a poke??)

And please keep you shoes on your stinky feet in my house LOL!