Let’s have a little fun today, fellow yinzers! We, Pittsburghers, know our city pretty well, and we’re proud to live here. But, have you ever noticed that outsiders – usually those who have never even visited our beloved city – have some pretty outrageous misconceptions about Pittsburgh? Here are 10 of those misconceptions. Read ’em then add your own favorites to the comments below.
- Pittsburgh’s a dirty, old steel city that’s…
Flickr/John Brighenti That was then; this is now. The smoked-filled sky has been replaced by clouds meandering against a bright blue backdrop (when it’s not raining, of course). Downtown’s also bursting with green spaces, too, such as the Point and Mellon Square.
- Predominately blue collar and is…
Flickr/Jon Dawson Way back when the steel mills were running at full capacity, Pittsburgh certainly was a blue collar town. Today, however, it’s become more of a white collar town, with young professionals flocking to the city that’s known for its tech, medical, and educational industries.
- Really just a short trip from Philly.
Flickr/vic15 Ever talked to someone who thinks Philly and Pittsburgh are just a few miles apart? Maybe you have to live in one of the bookend cities to really understand how far apart they are.
- Pittsburgh has absolutely nothing to do after 6 p.m.
Flickr/Jon Dawson That may have once been – or at least felt - true, but today Pittsburgh comes alive at night. Just stroll over to the Culture District, brimming with cultural activities, at Heinz Hall and the Benedum Center, and plenty of restaurants. Station Square and the South Side also come alive at night.
- In fact, there’s not much to do in Pittsburgh at all.
Flickr/sk Sure, let outsiders think there’s not much to do in Pittsburgh. That leaves plenty for us – from the amusement parks and water activities to museums and restaurants. The only way we can truly suffer from boredom in the Burgh is if we want to be bored.
- All Pittsburghers are Steelers/Pirates/Pens fans and…
Flickr/Craig Hawkins It’s probably fair to say that a lot of Pittsburghers are Steelers, Pirates, and Pens fans. But, not everyone is. Are you? Or, aren’t you?
- You’ll only find black and gold in our closets.
Flickr/David Fulmer Yep, plenty of Pittsburghers wear tons of black and gold, maybe more than any other colors in their wardrobe. But, you’ll also see plenty of other bright colors around town, too.
- Winter means snow, snow, and more snow.
Flickr/sk Can you remember the last time we had a really good blizzard that shut down the entire city and the suburbs? Pittsburgh gets snow, just not the kind of constant, accumulated snow as places just a bit north of us like Butler County and certainly not comparable to Erie.
- We all love Primanti Brothers and…
Flickr/Dan4th Nicholas Primanti Brothers may have earned quite a reputation in Pittsburgh and beyond. Still, it’s one of those places that Pittsburghers either love or they hate. Don’t automatically assume that the Pittsburgher to whom you’re talking is a fan.
- We’ll eat Hunt’s Ketchup, if forced.
Flickr/Mike Mozart Um, no. No one messes with a Pittsburgher’s Heinz Ketchup. Just ask those who run Kennywood Park. They dared start serving Hunt’s Ketchup instead of Heinz. An uproar ensued. Heinz returned rather quickly. Moral of the story? Don’t mess with Pittsburghers and their love of Heinz (and plenty of other things, too).
What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about Pittsburgh? Join the conversation in the comments! Then, click here to read about the 10 telltale signs you were meant to be Pittsburgher.
Flickr/John Brighenti
That was then; this is now. The smoked-filled sky has been replaced by clouds meandering against a bright blue backdrop (when it’s not raining, of course). Downtown’s also bursting with green spaces, too, such as the Point and Mellon Square.
Flickr/Jon Dawson
Way back when the steel mills were running at full capacity, Pittsburgh certainly was a blue collar town. Today, however, it’s become more of a white collar town, with young professionals flocking to the city that’s known for its tech, medical, and educational industries.
Flickr/vic15
Ever talked to someone who thinks Philly and Pittsburgh are just a few miles apart? Maybe you have to live in one of the bookend cities to really understand how far apart they are.
That may have once been – or at least felt - true, but today Pittsburgh comes alive at night. Just stroll over to the Culture District, brimming with cultural activities, at Heinz Hall and the Benedum Center, and plenty of restaurants. Station Square and the South Side also come alive at night.
Flickr/sk
Sure, let outsiders think there’s not much to do in Pittsburgh. That leaves plenty for us – from the amusement parks and water activities to museums and restaurants. The only way we can truly suffer from boredom in the Burgh is if we want to be bored.
Flickr/Craig Hawkins
It’s probably fair to say that a lot of Pittsburghers are Steelers, Pirates, and Pens fans. But, not everyone is. Are you? Or, aren’t you?
Flickr/David Fulmer
Yep, plenty of Pittsburghers wear tons of black and gold, maybe more than any other colors in their wardrobe. But, you’ll also see plenty of other bright colors around town, too.
Can you remember the last time we had a really good blizzard that shut down the entire city and the suburbs? Pittsburgh gets snow, just not the kind of constant, accumulated snow as places just a bit north of us like Butler County and certainly not comparable to Erie.
Flickr/Dan4th Nicholas
Primanti Brothers may have earned quite a reputation in Pittsburgh and beyond. Still, it’s one of those places that Pittsburghers either love or they hate. Don’t automatically assume that the Pittsburgher to whom you’re talking is a fan.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Um, no. No one messes with a Pittsburgher’s Heinz Ketchup. Just ask those who run Kennywood Park. They dared start serving Hunt’s Ketchup instead of Heinz. An uproar ensued. Heinz returned rather quickly. Moral of the story? Don’t mess with Pittsburghers and their love of Heinz (and plenty of other things, too).
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