1. Kansas Have Heard Every Dorothy Joke At Least Twice
The most famous movie set in Kansas, outsiders tend to form their entire understanding of this state on this single film…tornadoes, farmers, small town rural life, flying monkeys.
Despite this movie being very old and completely fictional, it will be a long time before the word Kansas stops making people utter “you’re not in Kansas, anymore” under their breath.
2. Kansas City Isn’t Exactly Kansas, But That’s Just Fine
Built on the KS-MO state line, Kansas City falls into both states, with the larger portion actually lying in Missouri. That’s alright though, Kansans love visiting this place regardless of where it technically is.
3. Finding Kansas On A Map Really Isn’t That Hard
Another rectangular flyover state, tons of Americans find their knowledge a bit lacking when it comes to Kansas Geography. It’s actually pretty easy to find the Sunflower State though.
There’s the uniquely shaped Illinois, then the uniquely shaped, Missouri, and then there’s Kansas, which is basically just a rectangle.
4. Quit Calling Kansas Boring
Kansans are fed up with the rest of the country bashing their state. Sure, there might be a ton of farmland and wide open spaces, but that’s what makes living here so unique.
You might not be able to swim in the ocean or climb to the top of a mountain, but there are plenty of other fun things to do.
5. The Debate Is Over — Kansans’ Barbeque Is Better
Every city around the country tends to think their barbecue is best, but that’s probably because the people there haven’t tried Kansas City-style plates yet. Driven by burnt ends, this delicious regional variation of an American classic can’t be beat.
6. Kansas Isn’t Just A Bunch Of Farmers
Known around the country for their huge agricultural industry, people tend to assume that Kansas is really just a giant patch of farmland. However, in recent decades there’s been a huge push towards building larger cities meaning tons of new age jobs are popping up everywhere.
7. Kansans Will Never Stop Loving The Jayhawks
When it comes to college sports in Kansas, the Jayhawks scoop up a huge portion of local fans. Come game day, expect to see plenty of blue and white.
8. Stop Forgetting About K-State
The Jayhawks aren’t the only team with fans around here, K-State has nearly just as many in-state supporters. If someone isn’t rocking the KU crimson and blue, there’s a good chance they’ll be repping the Wildcat purple.
9. There’s Nothing Dirty About The “Shockers”
This team might have a funny nickname, but after looking into the story behind the term “Shockers,” it makes a lot more sense. It dates back to when tons of the local athletes and students at Wichita State made money working in the fields “shocking” wheat.
10. We Know WuShock Looks A Bit Scary
Giant, yellow, and totally jacked, what better way to capture the spirit of the Wichita State Shockers than with a mascot that’s a bundle of wheat. This guy might look a little funny, but there’s not better person to pump you up for the big game.
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11. Those Are Bison, NOT BUFFALO!
This extremely common misconception is sure to annoy a Kansan. Bison are the huge creatures that roam around America, not buffalo. They’re only called buffalo in this country because early settlers mistook them for similar animals that are indigenous to Africa and Asia.
12. Kansas Is Flat, But It’s Not The Flattest
Often said to be “flat as a pancake,” Kansas is technically flatter than this breakfast treat. However, even though it’s notably flat, Kansas doesn’t even break the top 5 when it comes to the flattest states in America. Florida tops the list and you don’t see the word Kansas until you get to the 7th spot.
13. Yes, We Know There Are Weird Roadside Attractions Everywhere
Whether you’re looking for a giant ball of twine or a humongous ice cream cone you can pretend to lick, you’ll never see more roadside attractions than when you’re driving through Kansas.
With so much space in between every destination, something has to make the drive exciting.
14. You’re Never Quite “There Yet” In This State
Driving from one city to another in Kansas can take hours, especially the further West you are. With long flat roads stretching for miles into the distance peppered with the occasional bush, your passengers probably won’t be keeping you much company during a road trip here.
15. But At Least People Drive Super Fast
The speed limit in many parts of Kansas tops out at a speedy 75 mph. You can imagine how fast people actually go when they think there aren’t cops around. The drives here might be long, but at least you’re not stuck at a measly 55 or 60 the whole way.
16. Yes, Everyone Has A Gun
At least it can seem like that at times. With one of the highest gun ownership rates in the country, people in Kansas love to stay locked and loaded.
17. Stop Looking For Superman
One of the most famous superheroes of all time, Superman hails from Smallville, KS. To the disappointment of comic book fans, this place isn’t real. However, if you really feel the need to visit a place similar to where you might find the Kent farm, most fanboys assume that this hero’s Earth home is based on the tiny town of Hutchinson.
18. Gas Guzzlers Aren’t Thaaaaat Bad
You won’t see many sports cars in Kansas, as here the coolest cars to drive are massive trucks. Not only are they pretty useful in a state with so much farming, they look pretty gosh darn awesome as they tear down the road, too.
19. Every Kid Here Isn’t Riding Their Horse To School
Another common misconception that tons of outsiders have about this state, people in Kansas aren’t still riding around everywhere on horseback. You might see a horse or two during a trip into town but most people these days prefer an automobile.
20. We’ll Never Stop Cheering For Missouri Pro Teams
Kansas City pro teams like the Royals and the Chiefs might be headquartered on the Missouri side of this city, but that won’t keep Kansans away from the game. With no pro teams of their own in the Sunflower State, sports fans here tend to pick the organization they’re closest to.
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21. Stop Mistaking Excessive Friendliness For Sarcasm
People aren’t mocking you here if they seem overly nice, Kansans are just that friendly. You’ll never meet more relaxed, kind souls than you’ll find in the Sunflower State.
22. Camo Isn’t Just For Hunting
Hunting culture here is so huge that certain aspects of this sport tend to sneak their way into most Kansans’ daily life. You’ll see plenty of fashionable camo worn around the streets here, often donned by people who have never pulled a trigger in their entire life.
23. Huge Cities Aren’t Required For A Great Time
Kansas might not be home to a city like New York or Chicago, but what it lacks in massive cities, it makes up for in open space. Having fun in Kansas is as easy as grabbing a few friends and heading outdoors.
24. But There Are A Few Big Cities To Enjoy Here
If you really can’t stand the great outdoors, it is actually possible to live the city life in the Sunflower State.
Thanks to a recent trend of urban flight sending tons of rural residents to larger population centers, cities are growing here. Heck, Wichita has over 600,000 people in the metro area.
25. There Really Are That Many Tornados
If there’s one thing Kansas is known for, it’s tornadoes. With an average of around 60 a year, twisters are no laughing matter in this state.
26. Stop Asking Why It’s The “Sunflower State”
Even though this nickname should be relatively descriptive in itself, outsiders can’t help themselves from asking how it got chosen. There are tons of sunflowers…obviously.
27. Stop Freaking Out About The Massive Thunderstorms
While tornadoes might be something to fear, a favorite pastime in Kansas seems to be watching huge thunderstorms roll past in the distance. Packed with plenty of lightning, outsiders are sure to wonder why everyone starts counting the seconds between the crash and the flash.
28. Things Get Pretty Red Around These Parts
When it comes to politics in Kansas, the GOP reigns supreme. Sure, there are still liberal people hiding in plenty of dark corners around this state, but they rarely get the same public voice.
29. Quit Complaining About The Weather
If there’s not a giant thunderstorm or a tornado, there’s probably going to be hail or at least a strong wind. Stuck in the middle of the country, you never know what this state will be hit with next.
30. Stop Having Us Justify Why We Love It Here
You might not understand why Kansans love their home so much until you’ve spent some time in the state yourself. It’s easy to keep life simple here and that’s what makes it so special.
What are you exhausted explaining about Kansas? Tell us in the comments below!
