5 Unwritten Rules of Living in Pennsylvania That Out-of-Towners Always Break

Here are the five unwritten rules of living in the Keystone State that outsiders almost always get wrong.

1. You Must Pick a Side in the "Convenience Store Wars."

In most states, a gas station is just a place to get fuel and maybe a stale bag of chips. In Pennsylvania, it is a lifestyle.

The rule is simple: You are either a Wawa person (East) or a Sheetz person (West). There is no Switzerland in this war.

• The Mistake Outsiders Make: Saying, They're basically the same thing."
• The Reality: Saying this will start an argument at any dinner party. Wawa is revered for its hoagies and coffee; Sheetz is legendary for its fried appetizers and bright red branding. Know where the "Mason-Dixon line" of convenience stores falls (roughly around Reading/Lancaster) and pledge your allegiance accordingly.

2. Respect the "Pittsburgh Left" (Even if You're Terrified)

If you are driving in Western PA, specifically Pittsburgh, you will encounter a driving maneuver that defies the laws of physics and traffic safety manuals: The Pittsburgh Left.

This occurs when a traffic light turns green, and the driver turning left "guns it" immediately to cut across traffic before the oncoming cars (who have the right of way) start moving.

• The Mistake Outsiders Make: Honking aggressively or panicking when someone does this.
• The Reality: In Pittsburgh, this is actually considered polite. The oncoming traffic often delays their start,t specifically to let the left-turner go, because the roads are narrow and difficult to navigate. However, try this in Philadelphia, and you might lose a fender. Know your geography.

3. Do Not Ask for "Swiss Cheese" on a Cheesesteak

This rule is specific to the southeast, but the reputation holds statewide. The Philly Cheesesteak is a religion, and the liturgy is strict.

• The Mistake Outsiders Make: Approaching the window and asking for "a cheesesteak with swiss and mayo."
• The Reality: The standard is Whiz, American, or Provolone. And you need to order fast. The correct syntax is "One Whiz Wit" (Cheez Whiz with onions) or "One Provolone Witout" (Provolone, no onions). Anything else marks you as a tourist immediately.

4. Potholes Are Not "Road Damage," They Are a Season

In Pennsylvania, we have four distinct seasons: Winter, Construction, Pothole, and Football.

PennDOT (The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) is the frequent subject of local ire. The freeze-thaw cycle in PA winters destroys our roads each year.

The Mistake Outsiders Make: Driving in a straight line.

The Reality: If you see a car ahead of you swerving erratically within its lane, it isn't drunk—it is a local dodging craters. If you hit a pothole on I-76 or I-81, do not expect sympathy; expect a mechanic's bill. The "unwritten rule" here is to memorize the location of every pothole on your commute and never let your guard down.

5. "Yinz" and "Youse" Are Proper Grammar

You can tell exactly where someone is from in PA by the second-person plural pronoun they use.

• The Mistake Outsiders Make: Correcting a local's grammar.

• The Reality:

  • In the West (Pittsburgh): It is "Yinz." (e.g., "Are yinz going to the game?")
  • In the East (Philly): It is "Youse." (e.g., "What are youse guys doing later?")
  • In the Center: You might hear a rare "You-uns."
  • Embrace the dialect. It's a badge of honor.