How You Can Tell Someone Isn’t From North Dakota

If there's one thing we can tell as North Dakotans, I's who is and isn't from the state.

Out-of-towners are typically pretty easy to spot. I've put together a list of ways you can tell someone isn't from NoDak. Let's dive in.

1. They Criticize

It's one thing to complain about day-to-day inconveniences, but it's another to make fun of things that make North Dakota what they are.

If you're not from North Dakota, you will be badmouthing the frigid cold temperatures. If you're from here, you will be making fun of people wearing parkas when it's only 40 degrees out.

We're a different, tougher breed. The cold is part of the lifestyle and we're proud we can withstand such brutal temps.

2. Offspring

If there's one thing that stood out to me when I moved to North Dakota, it's the abundance of blondes.

I've never seen so many white-haired children in my life. A good chunk of the North Dakota population is German, and another good chunk is Norwegian.

Chances are, you are blonde or you child is blonde, or their children are blonde, or all of the above.

3. Pronunciation

This one may seem kind of obvious, but North Dakotans pronounce several words a lot differently than out-of-towners.

Bag and Ag are the big ones. Bag needs to sound like there is a "Y" in it. Like, bayg. Ag needs to sound like the word "Egg."

4. Roundabouts

North Dakota keeps getting more and more roundabouts, and while some might not understand how they work, North Dakotans have this down pat. We're getting new ones installed all the time.

5. Shovel

If you meet someone who doesn't own a snow shovel yet, or has never heard of a snowblower, that's a dead giveaway that the person is NOT from North Dakota. You can't survive without them.

6. Homeowners

Another sign that a person is from North Dakota is that they can afford to buy a house. So many people here easily get to this point. We become business owners, we have roots here.

North Dakotans work hard, and have good-paying jobs that allow them this luxury. People from other states might have to deal with outrageous housing costs, and that might not be in the cards for them.

7. Football

North Dakotans are divided into two groups. If someone isn't a fan of the Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings, chances are they're not from this state.

Thoughts?

What do you think? How can you tell someone isn't from North Dakota?