Gifts are an expression of feeling, but not necessarily the recipient's. According to Dr. Julian Givi, an assistant professor of marketing at West Virginia University who has extensively studied the subject, we often give gifts that reflect our own desires and motivations.
Similarly, Hawaii presents visitors with a lei, aiming to create a memorable first impression and foster a sense of connection and appreciation for its culture and hospitality.
Interested in the tradition, Reddit user Wolf805 invited people to try and come up with what the rest of the US states would hand out as welcome tokens. Here are some of the most interesting answers they received.
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Canada (not US but we want to play too) - A poutine and a “hey bud”.
Mmmm poutine, it's a dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. 🤤🤤🤤
You are getting cheese curds. Welcome to Wisconsin.
Been there once, and had a fantastic time. We went to a restaurant, where they played and danced to the tunes of Polka. Good times.
We got in touch with Wolf805 and they agreed to have a little chat with us. "Just before I thought of asking this question on Reddit, I was watching a prank video on YouTube by That Was Epic, where Juan was in Hawaii asking girls if they wanted to get 'laid' or if they could do it to him," the person behind the now-viral post told Bored Panda.
"It was intended to sound sexual until he pulled out a lei and clarified he meant getting 'leid' as a joke. This funny prank inspired me to think about what other states might give visitors if they had a similar tradition, leading me to post the question."
California: A Prop 65 warning.
"In the answers I've received, I've noticed recurring themes that align with popular stereotypes of each state," Wolf805 said.
"For example, many people suggested Texas would give visitors a barbecue or a gun, which reflects common perceptions of Texan culture. These recurring themes highlight how people often associate specific items or experiences with certain states based on cultural stereotypes."
In New Jersey you’d get a “who invited this a*****e” and a pork roll, egg, and cheese bagel.
In Mississippi, a gun, a welfare check, and an unwanted pregnancy.
There are many ways to slice up the United States, but author Colin Woodard argues that it can be divided into 11 sub-nations. He mapped out the regions in his renowned book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.
Recognizing the distinct values of each region is critical to understanding the US, Woodard said.
"The country has been arguing about a lot of fundamental things lately, including state roles and individual liberty," Woodard, a Maine native, explained.
"In order to have any productive conversation on these issues, you need to know where you come from," he said. "Once you know where you are coming from, it will help move the conversation forward."
Arizona: A miniature of a coloured sediment rock, such as jasper or turquoise.
You forgot the sunblock. If you come here, I strongly recommend sunblock.
His proposed map of the country consists of:
- Yankeedom;
- New Netherland;
- The Midlands;
- Tidewater;
- Greater Appalachia;
- Deep South;
- New France;
- El Norte;
- The Far West;
- The Left Coast;
- First Nation.
In the U.S.V.I. they give you a shot of Cruzan rum after you land.
"I believe that US states can retain their individuality without causing too much division and hostility among themselves," Wolf805 added.
"While each state has its unique culture and traditions, these differences can be celebrated and appreciated rather than leading to conflict. Embracing diversity within the country can strengthen the sense of unity and mutual respect among states."
North Carolina, a Cheerwine, a bbq sandwich and a firearm permit. .
Coming back from a deployment, we had a stopover in bangor maine. they gave us cookies and fear.
Book of Mormon in Utah.
In NH, a rock. Because you can't take it for granite.
I'd say NH - where the state has to rescue people from their own stupidity at an alarming rate. From motorcyclists with no helmets roaring down mountain roads and smashing their heads to idiots ill prepared attempting to climb mountains in flip-flops and no coats and getting lost.
A little container of Old Bay. Not gonna bother saying the state.
MD represent! Edit: old bay is a seasoning often used on crab, that originated in Maryland. And we put that stuff on everything, old bay French fries are pretty good. From Wikipedia, The seasoning is a mix of celery salt (salt, celery seed), spices (including red pepper and black pepper) and paprika. Some of the other spices that may be used are laurel leaves, mustard, cardamom, cloves and ginger as listed in the original product in the Baltimore Museum of Industry. It is regionally popular, specifically in Maryland, as well as in the Mid-Atlantic States, the Southern States, parts of New England and the Gulf Coast.
Washington, specifically SeaTac, we'd huck a salmon at ya.
Imagine getting off a plane i n Washington and getting a salmon like you get a lei in Hawaii.
In Mississippi you’d get a plate of fried catfish.
Faygo and a tire repair kit (Michigan, specifically SE Michigan).
Indiana: pork tenderloin sandwich, sugar cream pie, directions to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Also crazy weather. One day it's 80, the next 40. (Fahrenheit, obviously)
Philadelphia is now its own state and you get a punch in the face from Gritty.
Tennessee... a ticket for a minor traffic violation. Or a bottle of Jack Daniels so they could get you on a not so minor violation.
Fun Fact, the county where they distill JD is a dry county. So no alcohol sales.
Well for Illinois it would be an ear of corn and a handful of soybeans. But since you're actually flying in to Chicago it'll be a broken lawn chair for your dibs and a Chicago hot dog.
Hey, thin and crispy crust, or stuffed, or Chicago style, the pizza is the best, and I still love Gibsons for a great steak. So did Frank Sinatra who used to have Gibsons delivered to him wherever he was in the country. (FYI: the folks in Chicago with firearms will only give you the bullet part of their guns. They keep the rest of the gun for themselves.)
Arkansas would hand out Jean shorts.
Minnesota:
Half a pan of tater tot hotdish and a grainbelt.
Lobster Bib- Maine.
Realistically, a shot of bourbon, but it’s fun to imagine giving each visitor a full-size Thoroughbred….
Bag of boiled peanuts in Georgia.
Georgia should be known as the Peanut State. It is the #1 producer of peanuts, only #4 or #5 (depending on what source you check) for peaches.
Winter coat- North Dakota.
And thermal underwear...and polar snow gloves...and a wool scarf...and a fur-lined hat with those ear flaps...and thick wool socks...and snow boots...
Washington you’d get coffee.
Nevada you'd get a bag of casino chips.
You also get swept away in flood waters (lousy infrastructure), rudest drivers in the nation and scorpions from Arizona
Virginia: Vanity license plate.
Texas: a gun.
Oh, c'mon! This is such BS! I used to live in Texas, and we didn't give guns to all visitors. We usually waited until your second visit. No, I'll tell you what Texans give every visitor: a "history" lesson. They'll tell you all about The Republic of Texas (but not mention it only existed for 10 years), or how it's the "only state in the Union that can legally secede if they want (not true), or how it was home to the first European settlement in America (Also not true. The Vikings had a permanent settlement in Newfoundland 500 years earlier). etc etc etc.
Do they still do this in Hawaii? The last time I landed there, about 10 years ago, I didn’t get one. Now I’m thinking I got shafted.
Anyway, when arriving in Duluth or Minneapolis, you’d be given a tater-tot hot-dish.
Note: this post originally had 62 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I suspect a lot of these are written by people who have never set foot in the state.
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What I expected. Missouri left out again. You'd get flood insurance that actually covers nothing, dead armadillos, and a Cardinals hat. Or a Royals/Chiefs hat if you go to KC instead of STL. There is nothing in between. Don't try.
Hey, we have corn AND dead armadillos in between I'll have you know 😆
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I suspect a lot of these are written by people who have never set foot in the state.
Load More Replies... What I expected. Missouri left out again. You'd get flood insurance that actually covers nothing, dead armadillos, and a Cardinals hat. Or a Royals/Chiefs hat if you go to KC instead of STL. There is nothing in between. Don't try.
Hey, we have corn AND dead armadillos in between I'll have you know 😆
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