Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

People Are Cracking Up Over This Thread Where A British Person Lists 50 American States And What They’re Famous For
People Are Cracking Up Over This Thread Where A British Person Lists 50 American States And What They’re Famous For

People Are Cracking Up Over This Thread Where A British Person Lists 50 American States And What They’re Famous For

Interview With Author

393

ADVERTISEMENT

Knowing how many states there are in the US is one thing, but listing them out one by one, especially if you’re not American, may be a mission (nearly) impossible. But one Twitter user who goes by the handle @human_not_bees decided to take this task even further and list all the states, one by one, in alphabetical order, for what they are known for.

But there’s one but. The person saying they’re British is one. And, there’s no googling involved in the undertaking. The result? Well, see it yourself below, but people are cracking up badly, some say it’s spot-on, while others say they are not crazy about speaking in generalizations. Still, the thread amassed 80.5k likes and counting, and who doesn’t like a little glimpse into how foreigners feel about the beloved land of the free?

Also, scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with the author of this thread, known by the name Beës, who was happy to share how he got the idea for guessing the states, as well as the differences he finds between British and Americans.

RELATED:

    This British Twitter user is going viral for listing all American states for what they think they’re known for but without googling

    Image credits: human_not_bees

    ADVERTISEMENT

    In an email interview, Beës told us that he got the idea for the thread while talking to some of his Twitter friends when someone said they knew “all the UK accents” because they’d visited the UK and driven around. “I thought if the bar was that low for claiming you knew about a country, then I’d test my knowledge of US states,” Beës recounted.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I used a list of the states so I had them in alphabetical order and didn’t miss any, but I didn’t look any up,” the author said.

    When asked where he got all the details about the states, Beës said it all comes down to America’s media. It’s “pretty pervasive, and we see enough of it that we learn these things from TV shows and movies. Also, you guys have some pretty cheesy TV that seems very willing to lean into the stereotypes of people and places, so really, you guys did this to yourselves,” Beës added.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Beës also said that he’s only been to New Mexico, and when asked to pick his favorite states, he replied: “I guess wherever AOC is from (New York?). You guys need some socialism, trust us—we’ve got some and it’s great. Also, I think that’s where Björk lives now, which instantly makes it the best state,” he added.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Beës runs a Twitter page @human_not_bees where he shares daily insights with a currently growing audience of almost 10k. But according to him, Twitter is a weird place since “you never know what’s going to be popular.”

    “I wrote this tweet in the morning in the UK thinking it would pass under the US radar as you would mostly all be asleep, and it would just make people in Europe chuckle and a few of my US followers when they saw it later. When it took off, it was surprising.”

    The author said that it was “nice to see the ‘I live here and this is correct’ replies, and that I hadn’t upset people too much. It didn’t really take off until Sunday evening. I played D&D with some Twitter friends for about 4 hours and when we were done, my phone was at 12% battery from the notifications.”

    The thread blew up on social media and Beës had to mute the thread and replies initially “because it was a huge overload of replies and information.”

    Once he got back at it, he also got a lot of DMs correcting him about his information.“I think maybe they missed the point. My favorite correction was a person who was clearly stoned trying to explain to me that Colorado didn’t invent weed,” Beës laughed.

    When asked about fundamental differences between British and Americans, Beës first mentions humor. “British humor is more self-deprecating. I think we have a higher tolerance for both mocking others and being mocked. Just compare the US and UK versions of The Office. Saying that, The Office US is my favorite of the two.”

    “For you guys, I think American exceptionalism is a fundamental difference—the idea that a few of you guys hold where you are the world’s greatest country and sometimes doubling down on that with believing you’re ‘god’s chosen nation’ gets an eye-roll from us over here in Europe. You’re pretty ok, but honey, no,” Beës concluded humorously.

    Share on Facebook
    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Read less »
    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    Read less »

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    What do you think ?
    Julia King
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK, this is funny. And some of these are painfully accurate.

    ThatOneGay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Especially Indiana. I live in Indiana, and oh my god, accurate.

    Load More Replies...
    El Dee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think people commenting are rather missing the point. Outside of the US little is known of what each state would be famous for and most would be hard pressed to name them. Some haven't even been heard of. Given that it's just a light hearted funny list, please get a sense of humour folks!!

    earringnut
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although as someone who lives in Michigan I can say he kinda nailed it for my state, in a non ironic way.

    Load More Replies...
    GFSTaylor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of offended people are taking this too literally. it's a series of short jokes reflecting stereotypes as much as anything. It's not meant to be what the poster actually knows about these states.

    Florencia Renedo
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We should be impressed by a British person that knows a little about many of the US states. A lot of Americans (not all) have no clue where most countries are located, or the fact that they even exist...

    Logic and Reason
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I assume you have trustworthy evidence to back up such a bold claim?

    Load More Replies...
    MAX THOMPSON
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol texas is famous for bug trucks and small d***s

    John C
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep - he nailed it! Usually I only say the part about the trucks and leave the 2nd part implied. Amazing how accurate this Brit is!

    Load More Replies...
    Kathryn Jackson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only thing I know about Oregon is that game where everyone dies of dysentery.

    sylvantic
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    don't think i've ever won that game... it's either dysentery or typhus.

    Load More Replies...
    Tam-Tam
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can vouch for its authenticity :,( lol

    Load More Replies...
    Sista of the moon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok: btw there’s a West Virginia and a normal Virginia because the west bit wanted to become part of the union in the civil war, while the rest wanted to remain a confederate state. So they split.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How the fùck did it end up so backwards then? Weird.

    Load More Replies...
    k1ddkanuck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Alaska is famous for being in Canada" (Laughs in Canadian) C'mon now, don't stick us with that, we have our own problems.

    Sanne H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a European I gave it a quick try but it turns out that most states I only know by name and I feel very undereducated now *blush* * Alabama - Sweet homes and banjo’s * Alaska - Salmon fishing bears * Arizona - Hot summers * Arkansas - ? * California - High tech, hipsters and movies * Colorado - Sandra Reemer song * Connecticut - ? * Delaware - ? * Florida - The Benidorm of the U.S. * Georgia - ? * Hawaii - Coconuts, palmtrees and speedboats * Idaho - Anita Meyer song * Illinois - Blues Brothers * Indiana - ? * Iowa - ? * Kansas - Tornado’s and corn fields * Kentucky - Fried chicken and the soggy bottom boys * Louisiana - Crocodiles and swamps * Maine - ? * Maryland - ? * Massachusetts - MIT * Michigan - ? * Minnesota - Sweet accent * Mississippi - Pussycat song * Missouri - ? * Montana - ? * Nebraska - Where Penny is from

    Sanne H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    * Nevada - Hot desert for gambling and conspiracy theories * New Hampshire - ? * New Jersey - ? * New Mexico - Cactusses * New York - Yellow cabs, huge expensive buildings and poor suburbs named after posh Dutch towns and cities * North Carolina - ? * North Dakota - ? * Ohio - ? * Oklahoma - Bombs and a musical that I never saw * Oregon - nerdy people and green trees * Pennsylvania - Amish farm people * Rhode Island - ? * South Carolina - ? * South Dakota - ? * Tennessee - ? * Texas - Cigar smoking rich people with cowboy hats * Utah - Mormons * Vermont - I thought it was in Canada * Virginia - ? * Washington - White house and the pentagon * West Virginia - Country roads * Wisconsin - ? * Wyoming - ?

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Julia King
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK, this is funny. And some of these are painfully accurate.

    ThatOneGay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Especially Indiana. I live in Indiana, and oh my god, accurate.

    Load More Replies...
    El Dee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think people commenting are rather missing the point. Outside of the US little is known of what each state would be famous for and most would be hard pressed to name them. Some haven't even been heard of. Given that it's just a light hearted funny list, please get a sense of humour folks!!

    earringnut
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although as someone who lives in Michigan I can say he kinda nailed it for my state, in a non ironic way.

    Load More Replies...
    GFSTaylor
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of offended people are taking this too literally. it's a series of short jokes reflecting stereotypes as much as anything. It's not meant to be what the poster actually knows about these states.

    Florencia Renedo
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We should be impressed by a British person that knows a little about many of the US states. A lot of Americans (not all) have no clue where most countries are located, or the fact that they even exist...

    Logic and Reason
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I assume you have trustworthy evidence to back up such a bold claim?

    Load More Replies...
    MAX THOMPSON
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol texas is famous for bug trucks and small d***s

    John C
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep - he nailed it! Usually I only say the part about the trucks and leave the 2nd part implied. Amazing how accurate this Brit is!

    Load More Replies...
    Kathryn Jackson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only thing I know about Oregon is that game where everyone dies of dysentery.

    sylvantic
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    don't think i've ever won that game... it's either dysentery or typhus.

    Load More Replies...
    Tam-Tam
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can vouch for its authenticity :,( lol

    Load More Replies...
    Sista of the moon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok: btw there’s a West Virginia and a normal Virginia because the west bit wanted to become part of the union in the civil war, while the rest wanted to remain a confederate state. So they split.

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How the fùck did it end up so backwards then? Weird.

    Load More Replies...
    k1ddkanuck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Alaska is famous for being in Canada" (Laughs in Canadian) C'mon now, don't stick us with that, we have our own problems.

    Sanne H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a European I gave it a quick try but it turns out that most states I only know by name and I feel very undereducated now *blush* * Alabama - Sweet homes and banjo’s * Alaska - Salmon fishing bears * Arizona - Hot summers * Arkansas - ? * California - High tech, hipsters and movies * Colorado - Sandra Reemer song * Connecticut - ? * Delaware - ? * Florida - The Benidorm of the U.S. * Georgia - ? * Hawaii - Coconuts, palmtrees and speedboats * Idaho - Anita Meyer song * Illinois - Blues Brothers * Indiana - ? * Iowa - ? * Kansas - Tornado’s and corn fields * Kentucky - Fried chicken and the soggy bottom boys * Louisiana - Crocodiles and swamps * Maine - ? * Maryland - ? * Massachusetts - MIT * Michigan - ? * Minnesota - Sweet accent * Mississippi - Pussycat song * Missouri - ? * Montana - ? * Nebraska - Where Penny is from

    Sanne H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    * Nevada - Hot desert for gambling and conspiracy theories * New Hampshire - ? * New Jersey - ? * New Mexico - Cactusses * New York - Yellow cabs, huge expensive buildings and poor suburbs named after posh Dutch towns and cities * North Carolina - ? * North Dakota - ? * Ohio - ? * Oklahoma - Bombs and a musical that I never saw * Oregon - nerdy people and green trees * Pennsylvania - Amish farm people * Rhode Island - ? * South Carolina - ? * South Dakota - ? * Tennessee - ? * Texas - Cigar smoking rich people with cowboy hats * Utah - Mormons * Vermont - I thought it was in Canada * Virginia - ? * Washington - White house and the pentagon * West Virginia - Country roads * Wisconsin - ? * Wyoming - ?

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT