# Weird very localized customs you've seen in your area/work **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2020, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919 "2020-10-26T09:33:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/21 "2020-10-27T04:41:13Z")
A joke I heard once: How do you identify someone from California in an East Coast city? They’re the one standing at the intersection patiently waiting for the walk signal while everyone else is crossing. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/22 "2020-10-27T06:01:27Z")
I lived in southern Illinois from 2003 to 2011, and when used the word “potluck”, several of the lifelong resident didn’t know what I was talking about. They had always referred to them as “carry-ins.” And that’s the word I heard used for them until I returned to my current area, where nobody knows what a carry-in is. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/23 "2020-10-27T10:54:42Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Where I am, pedestrians don’t cross against a red stoplight, even if there’s not a single car anywhere in sight. You stand there politely… And cops WILL write you a jaywalking ticket if you don’t Wow—I didn’t know we had any members of this site who live in North Korea. I’d be willing to visit some pretty scary places, .but not the one where you live. I got my limits. ---
**Author:** ![ski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ski)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/24 "2020-10-27T13:54:51Z")
I guess I don’t see the issue - the guys are all wearing socks and cargo-pant-boxer-shorts. To me, that’s not naked or even “essentially” naked, they’re just “topless” like at the beach or playing basketball or something. I’d have no problem chatting with the cleaning ladies like that. It seems like a place where nudity is NOT expected or required, so I’m not sure why you’d expect disciplinary action (against whom?) if everybody’s in their shorts. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/25 "2020-10-27T14:23:42Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > there would be a message coming over the tannoy, (Tannoy Ltd is a British manufacturer of loudspeakers and public-address systems.) ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/26 "2020-10-27T14:30:55Z")
In Spanish we use the word “diapositiva” for PowerPoints slides, which is the word we aldo use for the foils in overhead projectors. We use the word slide only for the film photogrpahy ones. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/27 "2020-10-27T15:54:26Z")
> [@ski](#): > > I guess I don’t see the issue - the guys are all wearing socks and cargo-pant-boxer-shorts. To me, that’s not naked or even “essentially” naked, they’re just “topless” like at the beach or playing basketball or something. I’d have no problem chatting with the cleaning ladies like that. > > It seems like a place where nudity is NOT expected or required, so I’m not sure why you’d expect disciplinary action (against whom?) if everybody’s in their shorts. 1. As I said, nobody seemed concerned by it and I presumed that at least lower levels of management must be aware. 2. On the other hand, sometimes when I’m considering a matter, I find it’s a help to reverse the genders and take another look that way round. 3. In Britain in the early 1990’s, it was weird. I know, 'cos I was there. j ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/28 "2020-10-27T15:57:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > > > there would be a message coming over the tannoy, > > (Tannoy Ltd is a British manufacturer of loudspeakers and public-address systems.) Oops, sorry - didn’t realise that tannoy (thus used) was a Britishism. Thanks to **kayaker** for clarifying. j ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/29 "2020-10-27T15:59:25Z")
In Honolulu, it’s illegal since 2019 to enter a crosswalk once the Don’t Walk signal starts [flashing](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/07/02/new-law-makes-it-illegal-start-walking-countdown-timer/). The fine can be up to $130. I don’t know what the degrees of the fine is. When the law was first enacted, I’d see police standing on the corners of downtown streets giving tickets to those who entered once the Don’t Walk signal. And I saw patrol cars stop and cite people also. It’s mostly overlooked now, I’ve seen people cross in front of a police car. But the law is still there. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/30 "2020-10-27T16:09:37Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Oops, sorry - didn’t realise that tannoy (thus used) was a Britishism. 🖐🏾 I knew! I knew! I collect Britishisms. Some, like snog, have no real US equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/31 "2020-10-27T16:56:23Z")
“Make out” seems to me an equivalent of “snog.” ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/32 "2020-10-27T17:24:00Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > > The one that always got me is the Chicago thing about blocking parking spaces when they are shoveled out, and “stealing” someone’s spot is unthinkable. Even up nort in WI we never did this. Silly FIBers. > > Not just Chicago; it happened in Toronto too. A friend who used to live in Boston told me that this happened there; she thought it was a unique “Boston thing.” ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/33 "2020-10-27T18:35:41Z")
Never heard of a Coney Island restaurant until I moved from southwest Ohio to Detroit. Its basically what I would have called a greasy spoon diner that specialized in chili dogs and all day breakfast but with more Greek style items like gyros and baklava. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/34 "2020-10-27T19:39:17Z")
From what I understand California is the only state in the US where crossing a light on yellow and if it turns red while the car is still in the intersection that counts as “running a red” and you can get ticketed for it. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/35 "2020-10-27T19:49:38Z")
The annual naked bike race. The people are naked, not the bikes. ---
**Author:** ![Joeu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joeu/32/2911_2.png) [@Joeu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joeu)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/36 "2020-10-27T21:24:17Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > From what I understand California is the only state in the US where crossing a light on yellow and if it turns red while the car is still in the intersection that counts as “running a red” and you can get ticketed for it. I can say from sad personal experience that it’s not just California, but also, at least, New York. If you are in an intersection when the light turns red, even if it was yellow when you entered the intersection, you can get a ticket for running a red. In my case, the traffic was moving very slowly. The light was actually GREEN when I entered the intersection. But while I was creeping through, the light went from yellow to red, and I got the ticket (in the mail, from a red light camera). I contested it to no avail–the law is clear. If you’re in the intersection and the light is red, you’re guilty. The right thing to do (as I knew, or should have known, and as I always make sure to do now) is to stop **before** entering the intersection unless the light is green **and** you can see that you are clear to proceed all the way through without stopping. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/37 "2020-10-27T21:25:10Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > A friend who used to live in Boston told me that this happened there; she thought it was a unique “Boston thing.” I’ve heard of this. In New York City, where I live, “saving” a parking space like that will get you shot. Or at least get your tires slashed. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/38 "2020-10-27T21:40:04Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > So I surmise that riding an escalator is a Cleveland/Akron/Northeast Ohio thing. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > The one that always got me is the Chicago thing about blocking parking spaces when they are shoveled out, and “stealing” someone’s spot is unthinkable. As mentioned down thread, it was practiced in Boston in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I remember shootings happening because people moved a marker and took someone’s space. Scared the bejeeberz out of me, a simple Iowa girl. And escalators beg you to not walk up them, for safety reasons. If the property wanted people walking up levels they would have installed stairs, which are a lot cheaper and safer. Step on, hold the railing, pay attention, hold still, step off promptly. That’s the expectation anywhere I’ve lived-Iowa, Boston, Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/39 "2020-10-27T22:47:46Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > And escalators beg you to not walk up them, for safety reasons. If the property wanted people walking up levels they would have installed stairs, which are a lot cheaper and safer. Step on, hold the railing, pay attention, hold still, step off promptly. That’s the expectation anywhere I’ve lived-Iowa, Boston, In NYC, the custom is that, if you don’t want to walk up (or down) the escalator, move to the right. The left side is for those who want to go faster (which is just about everyone in NYC). Causes lots of grumbling when tourists and other visitors don’t get it, and block the whole escalator. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/40 "2020-10-27T22:56:37Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > In New York City, where I live, “saving” a parking space like that will get you shot. Or at least get your tires slashed. And, here in Chicago, parking in a dibbed spot that you didn’t clear is considered justification for execution and severe vandalism. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919.md?page=3)