Lists and lists of the things that make each US State unique, from the weirdest laws to the most popular drinks and dog breeds to the shows residents are streaming most on Netflix.

This Is America

Weird

Each American state carries a personality all its own, a set of characteristics that sets it apart from every other member of the union. As with any personality, there are oddities and quirks that come along with it, which may explain some of the weirdest state traditions. Every state boasts at least one custom or practice people from&nbsp;other states simply shake their heads at in confusion and wonder. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/50-bizarre-state-laws/litgoddess" target="_blank">Bizarre state laws</a> and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/50-bizarre-state-laws/litgoddess" target="_blank">outrageous food laws</a> ensure a state&#39;s peculiarities get official notice, but strange state traditions ensure said peculiarities are celebrated.

In most cases, the tradition in question connects to the state in some way. In others, finding a link between the custom and the state is much more difficult. Nevertheless, residents come together to take part in these unusual festivities and celebrate the quirkiness that makes their state unique. In this day and age of divisiveness and division, communities gathering together is a good thing indeed - even if the reasons for such gatherings are a little odd.

The Weirdest State Traditions

General

Donn Saylor

Old Stuff

What food you eat can be as much of a signifier of local pride as wearing a beloved sports team's jersey. Ask residents of any American&nbsp;state, and they'll likely have a strong opinion on what dish exemplifies their region. Arkansas locals might champion their catfish, while Washington prefers salmon. And then there's New York – you guessed it, it's all about the pizza there.People have strong opinions on their home states, whether they're debating the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-tv-show-from-each-state/zack-howe" target="_blank">best TV show</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-movie-from-each-state/mason-weigel" target="_blank">film</a> set there or praising the talents of their preferred home-grown <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-actor-from-every-state/matt-manser" target="_blank">actor</a>. And when it comes to each state's signature foods, it's best to listen to the actual residents voicing opinions <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/6n5wtk/all_50_us_states_are_going_to_a_picnic_and_each/" target="_blank">on</a> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/17ygnl/american_redditors_what_is_the_signature_food/" target="_blank">Reddit</a>. These popular dishes may not be official state foods, but they might as well be.

The Most Popular Food In Each State, According To People Who Actually Live There

Food

Nathan Gibson

Trending on Ranker

Not all American tourists are bad. Repeat:&nbsp;not all American tourists are bad.

Many times, what&#39;s&nbsp;seen as insulting or questionable behavior is the result of culture shock or simple ignorance. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-country-facts/pierce-nahigyan" target="_blank">Exploring new areas</a>, meeting new people, and taking in new experiences can be overwhelming, and Americans, like tourists from around the world, may react poorly.&nbsp;

Americans traveling abroad do have a bit of a reputation, however. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ot15ym/non_americans_of_reddit_what_is_the_weirdest" target="_blank">Redditors offered up</a>&nbsp;examples of why that might be the case. Americans not only <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-americans-say-to-non-americans/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">say some weird things</a> to non-Americans, but they also behave in some questionable ways.

Are these things problematic? Sometimes. Insensitive?&nbsp;Often. Offensive? Unfortunately.&nbsp;On the whole, the behaviors of Americans overseas may make you laugh, sigh, or want to cry. Vote up the ones that are shocking enough they might just force you to do all three.

30+ Questionable Things Americans Have Done While Visiting Other Countries

Melissa Sartore

People describe their weirdest, zaniest, and most upsetting experiences and encounters while on the job.

All in a Day's Work

Going to a theme park is a joyous occasion. Working at a theme park, however, is hardly as much fun. Theme park employees&nbsp;on Reddit have seen some serious stuff go down while at work. Their stories will make you seriously reconsider special family vacations to the water park.And if you thought <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-dangerous-theme-park-rides-ever/nathan-gibson" target="_blank">certain carnival&nbsp;rides were scary</a>, you should prepare to learn about&nbsp;the horrible things that can happen at theme parks.

Theme Park Workers Share The Most Disturbing Things They've Ever Experienced On The Job

Theme Park Workers Share The Creepiest Things That Have Ever Happened To Them On The Job

Stefanie Hammond

Pop Culture

Just because a person happens to be at the Happiest Place on Earth does not mean they are a happy person. In fact, many people who attend theme parks just might be having a miserable time... and want to take down everyone around them. Over on Reddit, people who worked at amusement parks shared stories of the biggest adult meltdowns they have ever witnessed. Vote up the hissyfits that deserve a time out.&nbsp;

Amusement Park Employees Share The Times Adults Threw A Full-Scale Temper Tantrum At A Theme Park

Damon Davis

Dangers exist wherever you go. Waterways, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satellite-images-of-most-dangerous-roads-in-the-world/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">roads</a>, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-8-most-dangerous-restaurants-in-the-world/ivana-wynn" target="_blank">restaurants</a> are full of known and unknown threats, but just being at home can also result in illness or even death. Rural locations, urban centers, and everything in between - danger, danger, and more danger.

But what&#39;s the most hazardous place you know of? <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/psvgee/whats_the_most_dangerous_place_in_your_country/" target="_blank">Redditors offered up</a> the most dangerous destinations in their countries - and it was pretty terrifying.

Some of the menacing places are outdoors, full of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-dangerous-animal-by-state/rachel-souerbry" target="_blank">creepy crawlers</a> that could kill you, or stacked with reminders about the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-dangerous-bodies-of-water-in-the-world/crystal-brackett" target="_blank">power of nature</a>.&nbsp;Other perilous locations were more manmade in nature, rife with crime and other threats. Vote up the ones that freak you out the most.

12 Of The Most Dangerous Places In The World, According To The People Who Live There

Tips

People who have grown up in one place generally know how that place works. They can move through their day without second-guessing the laws, customs, and general unwritten rules of their surroundings. But when they travel and find themselves <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/questionable-americans-foreign-countries/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">out of their element</a>, it can throw them for a loop. Conversely, when others travel to our&nbsp;homes, they can reflect back to us customs and rules of our country we might not even be&nbsp;aware of.

The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-women-soccer-players-from-usa/patrick-alexander?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">United States of America</a> is a large country that hosts many guests. People visit for business, pleasure, education, and all sorts of other reasons. It can be hard for visitors to keep up with all the peculiarities that pop up. The <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/nv50i6/in_the_united_states_what_should_you_never_do/" target="_blank">people of Reddit</a> have tried to help anyone visiting for the first time,&nbsp;answering this question: What&#39;s something you should never do in the USA?

Things Visitors And New Residents Should Never Do In The United States

Things Visitors And New Residents Shouldn't Do In The US

Will Morgan

Each US state has a motto, words that epitomize the core values and spirit of the people and institutions within its boundaries. Alongside <a href="https://statesymbolsusa.org/categories/state-motto" target="_blank">official mottos</a>, many states have slogans - some that have been officially branded, others that have developed as colloquialisms.

As mottos and slogans have taken shape over the years, they may or may not really represent a state - especially if you ask the individuals who live there. Mottos and slogans are ideals but, as times change, so do beliefs and practices.&nbsp;

As a result, residents&nbsp;in all 50 states who hang out on Reddit decided it was time to rebrand where they live. When given the chance, people chimed in with what it was actually like to live in a state, how they felt about it, and what they believed best represented where they call home.

Take a look and decide for yourself which new mottos really capture what your favorite states are all about.&nbsp;

Updated Mottos For All 50 States That Are Bitingly Insightful

Updated Mottos For All 50 States

A whole lot of countries cover this planet. Most have complicated histories and national identities that could fill many a textbook. But leave it to the internet to boil all that complexity down to one&nbsp;comment. The denizens of Reddit have cleverly managed to sum up their home country without using the name, though some might be more obvious to foreigners than others.

Sometimes it&#39;s the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pictures-of-food-from-other-countries/will-morgan-1?ref=profile_pub" target="_blank">famous national food</a>, while in other instances it&#39;s the unique geography, but these descriptions cut to the core of each country&#39;s reputation. Vote up the most accurate descriptions of nations from around the world.&nbsp;

People Are Describing Their Country Without Using The Name

Country

People Describe Their Country Without Using The Name

Elle Tharp

When people&nbsp;hear about creepy locations, some folks&nbsp;make a mental note to stay away from those places, while others are excited for new scary areas&nbsp;to explore. Which group do you fall into? Over on Reddit, people are sharing the creepy and unsettling&nbsp;places they&#39;ve visited that have made a lasting impression.

People Share The Creepiest Places They've Visited

Amanda Ashley

From <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/game-of-thrones-vacation-spots/lisa-waugh">hypothetical kingdoms</a> to artificial islands, micronations are some of the weirdest places on the planet, home to unexpected histories and unusual traditions. But what are micronations, you ask? For the most part, micronations are quasi-real <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/peter-thiel-floating-cities-seasteading/kellen-perry">countries that assert themselves as independent nations</a> or states without the formal recognition of other countries. Basically, anyone who wants their own micronation can simply declare that they’ve created one, and who’s to say otherwise?But the best micronations go a step further by establishing their own governments, laws, and traditions – even if they don’t exactly have their own land or citizens! Many micronations also assert their nationhood by issuing their own stamps, coins, passports, flags, and other ephemera, but the world at large remains mostly unconvinced.Some micronations are the sincere efforts of eccentrics who feel&nbsp;ignored by their governments, some are ridiculous cash-grabs by bold egomaniacs, and others are more like thought experiments or practical jokes run amuck. Here are some of the weirdest micronations in history.

12 Of The Most Bizarre Micronations To Ever Exist

Location

The Weirdest Micronations To Ever Declare Independence 

Gabe Luzier

Lists of the best exports from any country where you'll ever want to order a crispy boy.

Cheers Around the World

Alcohol

This is a list composed of the best German lagers and ales. These are the perfect beers to fill your pints and steins and chug down, waiting and ready for October to roll around.Germany's 1,200 breweries produce over 5,000 differing brews, and are unmatched in the entire world. How do Germans make their beer taste so good? These beers come with a wider and stronger palette of tastes because they are not pasteurized like American beers are. Generally, tasting tips for German beers instruct you to drink slow, let it fill around your tongue, swish it around and let the nuances of each drink release in your mouth before you swallow. Relish in the aftertaste. Savor the flavor of some of the world's greatest beers!Which beers go best with your frankfurters? Which beer goes best before your bratwurst? Which beer compliments after dinner specials? Which German beer is good for breakfast? This and much more will need to be discussed by you and your comrades who have traveled Europe and beyond.Until you are able to get up the courage and the dollars to grab that German pint, let us vote and contribute to the top German beer list of all time.&nbsp;What makes German brews so strong and yet not overpowering? How does one balance a creamy head with light bubbles with a dark and heavy robe? Try some of the greatest beers of Germany listed on the best beers from Germany list and see for yourself. If that's not good enough for you...Ask the Deutsch! &nbsp;

Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier

The Best German Beers

Beer

List of 175+ Best German Beers of All Time

Bottoms Up

Ever wonder what it would be like to live another life? Take a glimpse.

A Day in the Life

Culture

What is working on a cruise ship like? Well, if you&#39;re looking for&nbsp;The Love Boat, you&#39;ll have to settle for a TV screen. The reality of working on a cruise ship, while not necessarily the hardest of labor, isn&#39;t all romance and partying, although employees partake in both, along with a chance to see the world, cheap alcohol, and an environment free from cubicles.

But according to cruise&nbsp;ship employee stories on Reddit, working on the high or low seas (river cruising is a thing, too) also means dealing with lots of drunk people and co-workers, working long hours for months at a time, living in cramped quarters, and eating food that&#39;s considerably less gourmet than what onboard guests feast on.

And what is the pay working on a cruise ship?&nbsp;It won&#39;t make anyone a millionaire, especially if they&#39;re from the US.

These &quot;working on a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cruise-ship-secrets/michelle-nati" target="_blank">cruise ship&quot; secrets</a>&nbsp;suggest that as with any job, the daily tasks include&nbsp;highs and lows - but with opportunities&nbsp;for seafaring adventure not available to those with landlubbing&nbsp;9-to-5 careers.&nbsp;

Cruise Ship Employees Reveal What The Day-To-Day Is Like

What Is Working On A Cruise Ship Like?

Samantha Dillinger

Places/Travel

There&#39;s not a whole lot happening in rural Kansas, unless of course you&#39;re the Devil. According to some local lore, Hell&#39;s gate is in Kansas. The quiet, 19th century resting ground known as Stull Cemetery might just be one of the world&#39;s <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/super-deep-holes/eric-vega" target="_blank">portals to Hell</a>.

It&#39;s unclear why Satan would claim a small, sleepy rural town about 15 miles from Lawrence as his homebase. He seems like a true city-slicker. Maybe he was just looking to retire or wanted to be left alone (it must certainly be disheartening seeing your name attached to every bad thing that happens, ever). Either way, the town of Stull is said to be home to one of the few churches that <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hellmouths-on-earth/harrison-tenpas" target="_blank">sit on Hell&#39;s mouth</a>. That&#39;s right, Satan&#39;s zip code is truly 666(06).

Places where people have reportedly found <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-gateway-to-hell-stories/luke-y-thompson" target="_blank">real portals to Hell</a> are rare, but Stull Cemetery and the old stone church on its property&nbsp;is one of the most renowned. You don&#39;t get the title of most evil graveyard in America for nothing - you need sizable&nbsp;reports of ghosts, demons, and inexplicable supernatural occurrences. This property has had rumors swirling&nbsp;since the &#39;70s, much to the dismay of the local police force. You&#39;d think that few people are begging to knock on Satan&#39;s door, but when a Kansas church hides a portal to Hell, all hell truly does break loose. 

This is the story of Stull Cemetery &ndash; a quiet, rural cemetery&nbsp;so frightening it had Ariana Grande, one of the most well-traveled pop stars in the world, turn right around. It is a cemetery so mysterious that it&nbsp;was&nbsp;featured on Supernatural. The devil is truly in the details.

A Genuine Portal To Hell Might Be In This Rural Kansas Church

Mariel Loveland

Interesting tidbits and things you should know about everything from the US Constitution to the modern banana industry.

Wow! That's Fascinating

Part of the fun of traveling is stuffing your face with the cuisines and treats of the locals. These lists rank the most delicious, must-try foods wherever you'll be.

Food Around the World

Interesting

As anyone who has ever endured a stay in the surgery ward knows, there are plenty of reasons that hospital visits don&#39;t exactly qualify as destination vacations. Of course, there are always the upsides - like the big window you can peek through to see newborn babies, or the time off from work, or, you know, the pain-relieving&nbsp;pump. But what about the food? As you&#39;ll see in these photos of hospital food around the world, whether or not you get edible meals largely depends on where you stay.

Below you&rsquo;ll get a glimpse into the many different incarnations of hospital food in different countries, ranging from the good to the just plain wrong. Believe it or not, some of the food in hospitals in countries like Japan and Estonia actually looks pretty delicious. Getting your appendix removed might be your ticket to the best meal you&rsquo;ll eat all year.

...Unless you&#39;re in Penarth, UK. Or Poland. Or Hungary. At these unfortunate hospitals, you could be subjected to &quot;appetizing entrees&quot; like minced bologna or mystery meat that looks alarmingly like skinned rodent. So if you&rsquo;re curious to see which countries treat patients with culinary care, and which ones you really want to avoid, these hospital food pictures are for you.

Here's What Hospital Food Looks Like Around the World

City/Town

Ashley Reign

Travel

Traveling to a different country can be one of the most exciting things for those who seek a new experience. No matter how much research one may do, it&#39;s tough to fully comprehend what another country could be like until the traveler lands in the airport. Reddit user&nbsp;u/<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/nc0yya/what_is_the_thing_that_surprised_you_the_most/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3" target="_blank">Spilakkk</a> asked: &quot;What is the thing that surprised you the most when you traveled to a country you had never been to before?&quot; and the answers had us looking up flights.

People Are Sharing Things That Surprised Them About Traveling To A New Country

Brian Roque

Places and Travel lists at Ranker provide the best rankings of places to visit, interesting travel destinations, and popular attractions voted on by 1000s of travel fans.

Places & Travel lists on Ranker

Best Rankings of Places to Visit, Interesting Travel Destinations and Popular Attractions

Serbia

Wales

Nepal

Montreal

Charlotte

Portland

Iceland

Italy

Greece

New Jersey

Mississippi

Alabama

What is the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-country-flags/ranker-travel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best flag in the world</a>? What is the most beautiful flag in the world? Well, these are the best country flags in the world, and it's your turn to decide which country has the best. Maybe you think your home country has the best flag in world. Maybe you should get over yourself. The world is a big place and there are lots of countries—expand your horizons!Flags serve a specific purpose. They mean more than just those things we raise at The Olympics. The flags of all the world's nations are symbols of pride. They represent us, at a weird genetic level, the representation of our &quot;tribe&quot;. Our flags are our colors and our rallying cry. They are our reason to fight, our reason for mercy, our cause for celebration. People have fought and died for every single flag on this list.&nbsp;These are the best flags of the world. So what do you think? What are your top 10 flags? What do you think are the most beautiful flags in the world?

The Prettiest Flags in the World

Prettiest Flags in the World | The Best Flags

Ranker Community

America

Let's face it: some places are less desirable to live than others, especially in the United States. With a lot of people migrating towards major metropolitan cities, it makes states that don't have either a big city or are rural not desirable places to live. Weather also plays a big part in figuring out where the worst place to live is. Would you rather be living in the freezing cold with snow potentially coming down as late as April or would you rather be living it up on the beach all year round. All of these important factors go into deciding which of these places is <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/worst-cities-in-america-to-live-in-or-visit?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the worst place to live in America</a>. There are some US states on this list that are noticeable punching bags. For example, New Jersey, Ohio and Mississippi on here. Likewise with cold weather states like Minnesota and overly hot desert land like in Nevada. If the weather is too extreme in one direction or another, the state is likely to be on this list. The same goes for lesser populated states like North Dakota, South Dakota and Idaho.Ultimately, it's up to you to decide where is the worst place to live in the U.S. and which states in the USA are the most horrible. Each place may have its merits and demerits, but one place has to be the worst place to live and it's on you to decide. Make your voice heard on this list of the worst states to live in.

California

The Worst Places to Live in The U.S.

US State

Worst Places To Live In The U.S. | List of Worst States

The most beautiful, stunning, unforgettable cities, beaches, and attractions at the world that should be at the very top of your Must-See list.

Dream Destinations

The Travel Bug

There's nothing like traveling and seeing the world to broaden your horizons and the countries on this list are the most beautiful places in the world. Vote up the most gorgeous destinations below or add a beautiful country to visit if it isn't already listed. This list should encourage you to travel and see some of these gorgeous landscapes for yourself. The pictures of beautiful countries below are incredible, but nothing beats seeing these locations in person.Many people love Italy because of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-magical-cities-in-the-world/island-hopper-dan" target="_blank">magical cities</a> of Rome, Venice, Florence, and the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Breathtaking scenes are everywhere! What factors go into considering the most beautiful countries in the world? Certainly, many of these gorgeous countries are home to the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-most-beautiful-natural-wonders-in-the-world" target="_blank">most beautiful natural wonders in the world</a>, along with the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-most-beautiful-buildings-around-the-world" target="_blank">most beautiful buildings</a>. It's hard to argue, for example, with Australia as a popular travel destination, given the extraordinary natural wonders it is home to.What do you believe is the prettiest country? Time to vote and rerank the top most beautiful countries in the world below.

Austria

The Most Beautiful Countries in the World

Most Beautiful Countries In The World

Lists about America's pastime, including rankings of MLB players by every position. 

Play Ball!

poll

Cities that should have a baseball team include the large metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada that are currently lacking a Major League Baseball team but certainly could make a good case as to why they deserve one. Currently, the MLB fields 30 teams and attracts an average of more than 30,000 fans per game, second only to attendance of the National Football League. With a draw like that, it only makes sense to bring America's pastime to other big cities across North America.Many of these cities have baseball teams currently, home to minor league teams, but as of the 2012 season, none of these areas enjoy a MLB team. Columbus for instance has the Clippers in the International League. Indianapolis also has an International League team with the Indians. The Portland Sea Dogs play in the Eastern League while the Oklahoma City RedHawks play in the Pacific Coast League. All of these cities have baseball teams, but there's a certain bit that is left desired between having a minor league team and one in the big leagues of the MLB.But even worse than having a minor league baseball team is not having one at all. Some formerly were home to MLB teams only to see the team move to another location for one reason or another. The Montreal Expos are the most recent example of that having been the first MLB franchise outside of the United States and existing from 1969 to 2004. Alas the Expos faced a multitude of issues and relocated, interestingly enough to America's capital, Washington DC.Whether these cities are simply big, deserving American cities like Buffalo, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana, and New Orleans, Louisiana, or worthy cities in Canada like Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa, each of these metro areas could easily support a Major League Baseball team. Live in a great city that deserves a professional baseball team? Add your city below or vote for the cities you think deserve an MLB team! Who knows, maybe one of them will be home to the next <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball player of all time</a>.