As an Upstate New Yorker myself, I find there are a few things that others find simply.. strange. However, to me and everyone else in my area, it's everyday life! Without further ado, here are 10 things only people from Upstate NY understand:
1. That it actually exists
Yes, ladies and gentleman, Upstate NY isn't just something your friends from college made up just to mess with you. It's real, and speaks for an area of multiple counties overlapping what is considered "Central NY."
2. Tow services are never needed
Guaranteed, you know more than one person who could easily tow you out of almost any situation. If you don't own a pickup truck, both of your neighbors probably do! They also probably have the chains or tow rope ready for such an occasion!
3. Traffic jams... because of tractors 
Yes, this is an actual thing. If there's any holdup in town, it's more than likely because some poor soul is using the road to go from one field to another with their tractor.
4. The Deer
They're everywhere. They come up in the middle of your lawn and stare like they own the place. It's a little creepy, not gonna lie.
5. There is a higher population of cows than people
You can't drive more than 10 miles in Upstate without finding at least one dairy farm. That means the population of cows is numerous, to say the least. Sometimes, there's more dairy cows in a town than there are people!
6. Not being allowed in the woods during deer season
Accidentally getting shot is a reasonable fear. From the time you can walk, you're told never to go into the woods during deer season, in case a hunter mistakes you for venison!
7. School isn't canceled. Ever.
There could be seven feet of snow, it doesn't phase the school! Weather in Upstate is crazy, especially in the winter, so if school is canceled because of weather it is probably the worst blizzard in a decade.
8. Picking up snapping turtles off the road
Living in such a rural area lends itself to the discovery of many creatures crossing the road. Many times in my life, I've stopped or seen others stop to help the slow little turtles to the other side of the street. It's basically an unspoken rule!
9. No, it's not the south, yes, we say "Y'all"
I use this popular southern slang myself, and know many others who do as well! It's just useful, y'all.
10. The scenery is incredible
It's commonplace to us, but the lush and colorful scenery of Upstate is basically paradise. Picturesque and beautiful, I strongly recommend visiting in the summer or fall... it's pretty incredible!
