# 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:** 4
**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 28, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/61 "2020-10-28T22:07:45Z")
And if your left hand happens to be hanging out the window in good weather, just raising and wiggling two fingers works. I may be a city slicker but my mama didn’t raise me to be stuck up. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/62 "2020-10-28T22:44:46Z")
In Washington DC, the escalator etiquette on the Metro system is that you stand in the right and walk in the left. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/63 "2020-10-28T23:12:25Z")
Alligator pears ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2020, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/64 "2020-10-28T23:43:19Z")
> [@K2500](#): > > > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > > That is known as “the Nebraska farmer/rancher wave”-mandatory in my parts. > > Its also a thing in rual Texas and Oklahoma. Used once you are sufficiently far from town or a major road. Also done in Eastern Oregon. I think it’s a rural thing. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/65 "2020-10-29T00:20:28Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Isn’t this the same for any big city? It’s definitely the case in Chicago, D.C. and London. Yeah, this isn’t some “weird localized custom,” this is basic escalator etiquette that is the standard almost _everywhere_ (apparently in Japan & Australia you stand on the left and walk on the right.) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/66 "2020-10-29T02:53:31Z")
> [@seal\_cleaner](#): > > Alligator pears Check this Midwestern 1951 menu, a little below Jacques Specialties in the black box. [Jacques French Restaurant, Chicago, June 27, 1951. : VintageMenus](https://old.reddit.com/r/VintageMenus/comments/bx2f5c/jacques_french_restaurant_chicago_june_27_1951/) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/67 "2020-10-29T03:33:02Z")
In New Orleans, it’s impossible to get across Canal St in a single Walk phase. At the neutral ground, you have to wait again. There is always a cop. The penalty is they make you go back and start over again. ---
**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 29, 2020, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/68 "2020-10-29T11:02:10Z")
I’ve observed two extreme ends of the spectrum wrt cross walks and crossing a road/street in general. In the town I live near, crosswalks are entirely disregarded by drivers. People in cars behave as if they have supreme right-of-way. It doesn’t matter if there’s an actual crosswalk painted on the road. Meanwhile, in St Martin, they don’t bother painting crosswalks because everyone agrees that pedestrians have the right-of-way. People walking on one side of the road will just cross without looking, because that’s just the way it is done. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/69 "2020-10-29T11:37:07Z")
Getting less and less with time, but as I’ve lived over half my life now in North Carolina, I will say: this is still a place where smokers act like non-smokers are the abominations. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/70 "2020-10-29T13:23:54Z")
Semi Related: A fried worked for St. Louis Water Dept. St. Louis will designate a disabled parking space in front of your house, on the public street, if you qualify. There was a hydrant at the designated location, so it had to be moved. There was almost a war because none of the neighbors wanted “their spot” in front of their home taken by the hydrant. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/71 "2020-10-30T16:53:03Z")
South Side Chicago has unique BBQ culture, that unfortunately is disappearing. [Aquarium Smokers](https://www.southernfoodways.org/gravy/smoking-on-the-south-side-chicago-barbecue-and-the-aquarium-smoker/), rib tips, hot link sausages, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, use of wood and/or charcoal, BBQ usually served on top of plain white bread and fries, covered in Mild Sauce (usually made by location, a combo of BBQ sauce, kecthup and hot sauce). ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/72 "2020-11-03T19:59:48Z")
Just recalled that when I worked in Malaysia back in the day, the East Coast road (only through road down the coast at the time) was a twisty 2-lane road with a lot of truck traffic. The lorry drivers in their Mercedes, MAN or Tata’s would use their turn signals to let you know if it was safe or un-safe to pass them when your vision was obstructed. Good lads, those drivers. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/73 "2020-11-04T04:47:58Z")
Also common here - so much so that certain trucks have a notice painted on the back “I turn often - please don’t overtake when I indicate” In Singapore - a flash of the headlights (during the day) means “I’m coming, stay the fuck outta my way” In New Zealand a flash of the headlights means “I will give way to you, please proceed first” I believe it originated in Japan, but it is now common for a 3 flashes of the “4 ways” means thank you if another driver is courteous ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/74 "2020-11-04T08:50:39Z")
I’m assuming we’re all talking about kissing with tongues, right? Because that’s the meaning of snog. ‘Making out’ always sounded more like rolling around on the sofa. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/75 "2020-11-04T08:55:02Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > We aren’t “blocking” the escalator, we are using it safely as it was designed to be used and the warning signs say to use it. If you’re in a hurry, run up the stairs. Localised custom. In London, signs very specifically say, ‘[stand on the right](https://www.alamy.com/stand-on-the-right-sign-london-underground-escalator-image1469375.html)’, as left side is for walking. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/76 "2020-11-04T13:40:32Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > I’m assuming we’re all talking about kissing with tongues, right? Because that’s the meaning of snog. ‘Making out’ always sounded more like rolling around on the sofa. Making out is a kissing session. It may include rolling in a couch but it need not. If you say “we made out” all you are saying is that you kissed a lot. You don’t need to specify “with tongue” because it’s assumed that any serious kissing involves tongues. Only a first-timer would need to specify “French kissing,” which is what we call kissing with tongues. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/77 "2020-11-04T15:34:16Z")
Ah French kissing, now that’s a blast from the past! Ok, I think we’re on the same page. Snog = making out (which sounds much quainter, I always thought snog sounded a bit sloppy/grubby). ---
**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:** [November 4, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/78 "2020-11-04T15:58:45Z")
I understand that in Ireland, “making out” or “having a snog” is called “having a shift.” The old-fashioned American slang for “making out” is “necking.” ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/79 "2020-11-04T16:11:10Z")
Ah, that’s used in British slang too - haven’t heard it in a loooong time. Depending on context, it can also mean downing a drink, as in ‘Where’s Steve, he’s late?’ ‘He’s just necking his pint’. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919/80 "2020-11-04T17:13:57Z")
I don’t know if it’s still the case, but in NY at least, it used to be that, when a truck was passing you on a highway at night, you’d flash your lights at them once they were clear of your car. They, in turn, would flash the amber lights on the top of the trailer as a thank you. It seems to have died out, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-very-localized-customs-youve-seen-in-your-area-work/923919.md?page=5)