Utahns are pretty welcoming to out of state visitors, and as tourist season approaches, we’re gearing up to helping them navigate their way through the Beehive State. Most of the time, we can deal with the crowds at our national and state parks, and we’re happy to show off our gorgeous state, but sometimes people do things that annoy us to no end. Here are nine things that make us cringe.
- Deface a national monument.
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr Seriously. Who comes to Utah and scratches their name on a rock formation? And who topples a hoodoo while chaperoning Boy Scouts? We won’t name names. But when we hear stories like that we not only cringe - we want to send people to prison.
- Whine about how you can’t get a drink here.
Jim Kelly/flickr Yes, you can. Sure, our liquor laws take a bit of patience, but we have plenty of great craft breweries and distilleries here, and lots of bars and pubs to choose from.
- Ask to see the polygamists.
m kasahara/flickr You may think that the Beehive State is overrun with polygamists, but that’s just not true. While there are definitely some polygamist families here, they’re breaking the law, so they tend to keep their heads down.
- Mispronounce our town names.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr We know you’re new to Utah when you start trying to say “Tooele,” and “Duchesne.”
- Drive the speed limit in the left hand lane on I-15.
Garrett/flickr Many Utahns consider the posted speed limit to be more of a suggestion than a law. If you insist on driving 70 mph, please do it in the middle or right-hand lanes.
- Get all indignant when you can’t tour the Salt Lake Temple.
Manish Prabhune/flickr We get it - you’ve seen all the cathedrals in Europe and they let you right in. LDS temples are different. Non-Mormon Utahs are kind of at a loss to explain this one. Mormon Utahns will be happy to tell you all about the church and help you convert so you can tour all the temples.
- Complain about the weather.
Aaron Hawkins/flickr The summers are hot and the winters are snowy and cold. Instead of complaining (or telling us all about how the weather from where you’re from is so much worse), get out and play in it.
- Refuse to choose - BYU or Utah.
the_robio/flickr You can’t be a fence sitter on this issue. It’s either one of the other.
- Head into Utah’s wilderness without being prepared.
lifetravelandmore/flickr If you’re not from Utah, our elevation might prove more difficult than you anticipate. And our desert environment isn’t very forgiving if you forget to bring enough water.
What other things belong on this list? Let us know in the comments!
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr
Seriously. Who comes to Utah and scratches their name on a rock formation? And who topples a hoodoo while chaperoning Boy Scouts? We won’t name names. But when we hear stories like that we not only cringe - we want to send people to prison.
Jim Kelly/flickr
Yes, you can. Sure, our liquor laws take a bit of patience, but we have plenty of great craft breweries and distilleries here, and lots of bars and pubs to choose from.
m kasahara/flickr
You may think that the Beehive State is overrun with polygamists, but that’s just not true. While there are definitely some polygamist families here, they’re breaking the law, so they tend to keep their heads down.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
We know you’re new to Utah when you start trying to say “Tooele,” and “Duchesne.”
Garrett/flickr
Many Utahns consider the posted speed limit to be more of a suggestion than a law. If you insist on driving 70 mph, please do it in the middle or right-hand lanes.
Manish Prabhune/flickr
We get it - you’ve seen all the cathedrals in Europe and they let you right in. LDS temples are different. Non-Mormon Utahs are kind of at a loss to explain this one. Mormon Utahns will be happy to tell you all about the church and help you convert so you can tour all the temples.
Aaron Hawkins/flickr
The summers are hot and the winters are snowy and cold. Instead of complaining (or telling us all about how the weather from where you’re from is so much worse), get out and play in it.
the_robio/flickr
You can’t be a fence sitter on this issue. It’s either one of the other.
lifetravelandmore/flickr
If you’re not from Utah, our elevation might prove more difficult than you anticipate. And our desert environment isn’t very forgiving if you forget to bring enough water.
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