1. “Have You Ever Seen A Tornado?”
When most Americans hear the word “Kansas,” one thing comes to mind: tornados. With over 60 of these storms tearing through the state every year, most Kansans are well aware of what these storms are like and the risks the pose.
2. “…So, What Do You Do In Kansas?”
Kansas has a reputation around the country of being a slow-paced state. Outsiders rarely know that living here actually has plenty of perks and they won’t understand until they experience the better side of Kansas first hand.
3. “Do You Have A Feeling You’re Not In Kansas?”
When someone discovers you’re from Kansas, there’s a good chance the next thing out of their mouth will have something to do with the Wizard of Oz. Try not to get too annoyed by the many worn out jokes you’ve already heard hundreds of times.
4. “So Kansas City Is Actually In Missouri?”
For some reason, out-of-towners have a hard time wrapping their heads around the idea that a city in one state can be named after a completely different state.
Just explain to them that Kansas City basically sprawls through both Kansas and Missouri without complicating things too much and they’ll (hopefully) get it.
5. “Do You Still Cheer For Kansas City Teams Then?”
With no other major professional teams in Kansas, of course Kansans cheer for their neighbors nearby. You’ll never find bigger Chiefs and Royals fans than you will in the Sunflower State.
6. “If You’re Not From The South, Then Why Do You Care So Much About Barbeque?”
Forget what you’ve heard. Simply put, Kansas has the best barbeque in the world.
Slowly smoked over flavorful woods before being covered in a thick sauce, the burnt ends around these parts are one of the tastiest things you’ll ever stick in your mouth.
7. “Are We There Yet?”
It doesn’t take long in this state to realize that cities in Kansas are pretty spread out, especially the further West you are. Get used to people asking how much longer that road trip is taking.
8. “Is Smallville A Real Place?”
The fictional home to everyone’s favorite reporter/superhuman, Smallville doesn’t actually exist. Most Kansans and fan boys have accepted Hutchinson as the inspiration behind this imaginary place.
9. “Does Everyone Here Cheer For The Jayhawks?”
Coming hot out of Lawrence, the Jayhawks definitely have their fair share of fans around these parts. However, contrary to popular belief, every Kansan isn’t cheering them on. Expect to see plenty of locals cheering for other local colleges around the Sunflower State come game day.
10. “So People Also Like K-State?”
Home of the Wildcats, Kansas State University is another favorite in the Sunflower State. If you see someone rocking a purple shirt, it’s probably in support of these guys.
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11. “What’s A Shocker?”
With a very strange nickname and an even stranger mascot, it’s safe to say that the average American has no clue how the Wichita State Shockers got their name. Sorry to disappoint — it’s not something dirty and it has nothing to do with electricity.
The term “shockers” stems from the days when shocking wheat was a common source of income for many of the school’s athletes.
12. “Do Buffalo Just Roam Around Everywhere?”
First, they’re not buffalo, they’re Bison. And second, yes…yes they do. They’re pretty awesome and their meat tastes even better.
13. “Is Kansas Really As Flat As A Pancake?”
This famous saying is actually inaccurate (it’s been scientifically proven that Kansas is indeed FLATTER than a pancake). Kansas is still not the flattest state though, coming in 7th. Florida ranks as #1.
14. “Does The Night Always Look Like This?!”
Thanks to the lack of big city lights, most parts of Kansas can deliver a night sky that’s more impressive than 99% of the rest of the country. Just tell them to take a drive out into the country and check it out for themselves.
15. “Where Exactly Is Kansas?”
Yet another squarish state somewhere in the middle of the country, tons of Americans would probably struggle putting Kansas on a map. Just try to ignore their lack of common knowledge. It can be too frustrating to think about.
16. “Does Everyone Here Own Guns?”
With gun rights and hunting trips being two things that many Kansans hold close to their hearts, it’s no surprise that plenty of people around here are packing some heat.
If someone is coming to visit from a state that’s not quite so gun-friendly, it will take them a while to get used to this.
17. “Why Are So Many People Wearing Camo?”
Probably something that stems from the ever-present Kansan hunting culture, the camo print isn’t something reserved exclusively for hunting. It’s perfectly normal to see someone walking down the street wearing this pattern even if they have no intention of pulling a trigger that day.
18. “What Does “Verruckt” Mean?”
A ride at Schlitterbahn that’s famous for being the tallest and fastest water slide in the world, Verruckt is aptly named. It’s German for “insane.”
19. “Why Is Kansas Called The Sunflower State?”
With sunflower fields bringing a vibrant yellow to landscapes all around Kansas, it’s not surprising that this plant became a symbol of this state.
20. “Do You Always Drive This Fast?”
While some states top out the max road speed at a mere 60 miles per hour, Kansas takes driving to a whole new level with some areas allowing travel at 75 mph. Of course, when you consider how flat and long drives are here, it makes plenty of sense.
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21. “Do You Guys Call It ‘Pop’ Here?”
Whether it’s Coke, Mountain Dew, or Sprite, anything that’s sugary and carbonated in Kansas tends to get lumped under the term “pop.” What’s so weird about that?! The cans do “pop” when you open them, after all.
22. “Where Are All The Democrats?”
When it comes to politics, Kansas is essentially a sea of red. It’s not that there aren’t any liberal people in this state. Conservatives just vastly outnumber them.
23. “Does Everyone Have A Truck?”
If someone from a big city is in for a visit, they’ll probably point out how so many big vehicles are on the road. They’re for carrying tons of cool things from place to place, of course.
24. “Is There Always So Much Lightning?”
Few things are more spectacular than seeing a lightning storm move across the Kansas plains from a safe distance. It’s just one more wacky way the weather in Kansas keeps the locals guessing.
25. “Is Everyone Always This Friendly?”
For some strange reason, Kansans seem to be inherently friendlier than the rest of America. From polite gestures to huge acts of generosity, you’ll never meet kinder people than the ones you’ll find in the Sunflower State.
26. “Are The Sunsets Always This Awesome?”
Yes. Yes, they are. With no huge cities full of smog blocking the view, you’ll never see a better sunset than the ones that Kansans get to see nearly every night.
… And it’s okay to be jealous.
What’s the question everyone asks you just because you’re from Kansas? Tell us in the comments below!
