“Wait just a second, now. The Outer Banks aren’t in Pittsburgh.” This is indeed true, but Pittsburghers love the Outer Banks. There is no hotter vacation spot for Pittsburghers than the cloudy beaches of North Carolina. Originally, it was thought that the Pittsburgh love affair with these dune beaches began with a quest to obtain oval OBX bumper stickers for the family minivan. Though this vinyl token is testimony of a vacationer’s boogie boarding skills and extensive boat shoe collection, Pittsburghers make this summer pilgrimage for another core reason.
Pittsburghers love hanging out with other Pittsburghers. This seems like a no-brainer, especially when put within the confines of tailgating or rib cook-offs, but for a Pittsburgher to run into another Pittsburgher on vacation is a huge deal. Seeing someone with recognizable Pittsburgh garb hundreds of miles away from home is a rush, and often the leading factor in determining the awesomeness of a vacation.
Going to the Outer Banks is a sure fire way to see other Pittsburghers outside their natural habitat. Pittsburghers go there with this certainty of seeing ‘Burgher brethren, yet still remain excited as if seeing them in New Delhi or Rio. Striking up conversations with other Pittsburghers is as easy as saying “yinz” in a publically audible tone—a universal Pittsburgh pack call.
When arriving at the beach condominium complex, Pittsburgh children often play ‘count the Pennsylvania license plates.’ Roughly 80% of cars will have PA plates, 65% percent of which will have Super Bowl XL stickers.
Furthermore, Pittsburgh dads are usually forced to take family vacations. So when a ‘Burgh dad meets another ‘Burgh dad, they have each made a friend for the week—someone to discuss the bathroom remodeling and possibly share season tickets with months down the road.
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