20 Signs You Grew Up In Portland | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

20 Signs You Grew Up In Portland

You came out of the womb in plaid.

2332
20 Signs You Grew Up In Portland

During August of 2014, I moved from Portland, OR, down to Los Angeles for school. The first semester of college is a lot of repeating the same information over and over again—name, major, what dorm you live in, and where you're from. The moment I mentioned that I'm from Portland, people's eyes would get big and they would ask if living in Portland is just like the show "Portlandia."

Yes, it is true, people in Portland love flannels and beards, carried things in mason jars before it was cool, and do love recycling. However, there is a different aspect of Portland culture that is only truly understood if you grew up in the area. A childhood in Portland is like no other, something that "Portlandia" will never fully explain.


1. "Let's go on a Dutch run!"

And you felt special as hell when you got a pink straw.

2. You felt like a part of your family passed away when the iconic Portland carpet was replaced.

R.I.P


3. You spend your no-school days doing one of three things: on 23rd for Salt & Straw and attempting be trendy in the shops, brunching at Slappy Cakes, or hiking the trail to Pittock Mansion.

Or if you're really cool, you do it all.

4. You wished you had a significant other during the holiday season, just so that you could be that annoying (I mean cute...) couple in the tunnel of lights at Zoo Lights.

5. You've posted a Snap to your story of you at the Nike Employee Store.

After asking everyone and their mother if they have a pass.

6. If you played baseball or softball, you had more rain-outs than actual games.

7. "Now you have a friend in the diamond business. The Shane Company. Located off Highway 217 across from the Washington Square Mall. Open weekdays till 8, Saturday and Sunday till 5, online at ShaneCo.com"

If you don't know by heart, did you even live in Portland?

8. You took your prom photos at the Waterfront. Or Pittock Mansion.

If you're edgy and hip, that brick wall in the Pearl District.

9. You hiked to Punchbowl with your friends.

And have the photo evidence on Instagram to prove it.

10. You've had days of school canceled in preparation of "storm watch [insert year here]," only to have no snow.

No matter how many snow dances you did...

11. Whenever it is Storm Watch [insert year here], you talk about the year that essentially every school in the Portland area had a three-week long winter break because of the snow storm.

12. You feel uncomfortable when you go somewhere and there isn't a recycling bin.

Is it even legal?

13. The flannel trend has been a thing for the past 10 years.

Flannels: a Portland Staple since '89.

14. You don't actually live in Portland, rather you live in Hillsboro, Beaverton, or Lake Oswego.

However, no one wants to say they're from Beaverton.

15. You probably dislike Jesuit High School for no particular reason.

And if you didn't, it means you went to Jesuit.

16. Your parents probably worked at Intel or Nike.

And if they didn't, you knew someone who did.

17. You don't own an umbrella.

If you own one, you either don't know where it is or you're from California.

18. You know there is a minimum of 10 ways to describe rain.

Mist, drizzle, scattered showers, downpour....

19. You didn't know how to pump your own gas until you went out of state and awkwardly sat at various gas stations, waiting for the attendant.

20. You couldn't be happier to call the City of Roses your home.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184546
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

10972
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455090
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24855
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments