Six Things Only a California Transplant in Idaho Will Understand
Yes, I am from California. No, I'm not leaving :)
I've got to be honest, when I first moved here from California almost six years ago, I was warned. "Don't flaunt that you're from California much, Idahoans aren't too crazy about us." Well now, I understand why!
Idaho is the best place I've ever lived. It's a secret gem that many people underestimate, and the majority of people who live here are totally OK with no one understanding its magic--because then they won't come here (genius).
No that I am a resident of Idaho, trust me, I'm with you. I want to keep the secret all to myself. But....to be honest I STILL find it hard to let go of some of those California things . There are six things you'll only understand if you're a California transplant.
- 1
Refusing Fry Sauce
The look...Oh, Fry Sauce. It's definitely an Idaho thing.
In California we dip everything in Ranch lol.
So, if you're a Transplant, you understand 'the look' you get when you politely refuse the beloved sauce.
"No fry sauce, what's wrong with you?" "They must be from California"
Yep. We are.
Can I get a side of ranch, please. :)
- 2
Referring to Utilities as PG&E
D'oh I mean Idaho PowerIn California, our gas and electric service provider is Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
We grew saying 'I have to pay my PG&E,' instead of, "I've gotta pay my gas bill, or power bill."
PG&E. Always.
So, old habits are hard to break. I still refer to PG&E...actually I kinda miss it.
But, I guess Idaho Power is pretty cool too.
- 3
Missing 'Free Slurpee Day' at 7-11
This one stings harder than the brain freezeThere are only three-THREE- 7-Eleven stores in Idaho.
Three.
And not one of them is in the Treasure Valley. :(
Every year on July 7th, 7-Eleven stores all over the country offer FREE Slurpees, all day. We don't get that chance.
So, if you're California-Transplant-friend was a little sad on Monday...this could be why.
- 4
Gas Station Booze
Gas and tequila...that's all I wantI'll never get used to having to go to a Liquour Store to buy booze.
It's just....ugh.
I used to be able to go down the street, fill my tank, get eggs and milk, and a bottle of tequila. No problem. Is that too much to ask?
The worst part...when you're at a BBQ on a Sunday, need to make a booze run, and you realize it's 6:02p.
*Cue the grumpy transplant face here*
- 5
Idaho Traffic is NOT Traffic
Don't complain.Unless you've been stuck for 2-8 hours on 280 in the Bay Area, or I-5 in L.A. you haven't experienced real traffic.
Sure EB I-84 is pretty annoying as you're leaving work. But, seriously, be thankful there's no real traffic here.
Like, really...enjoy it.
- 7
Road Safety
I grew up in the middle of nowhere in California....I'm talkin' one stoplight, K-Mart is the biggest store, need to travel an hour for errands type of town. So we were always driving on really really boring back roads.
One thing I never really appreciated until I moved was reflectors! Most lanes in California had tiny little reflectors on the lines that defined all the lanes. A very nice extra safety measure.
I do gotta say though, I absolutely LOVE the turn lanes here in Idaho. It took me forever to get used to them but definitely nice to have.
- 6
California Slang
"Dude'.....hecka cool"Dude, you just don't understand.
There are some 'hella' weird words that we use in California, that just don't make sense in Idaho.
To make it even more confusing...Nor-Cal and So-Cal have different dialects-if you will- for all those words.
For example, where I grew up (Central Valley) we used the term, 'hella' while my friends in the Sacramento area used, 'hecka'. Both derived from the words 'hell of.' It's science-y.
Oh, and if you hear me say, "Bomb," don't freak out, it just means my french fries are 'hella' good. :)