These Things are Unique to Arizona

There's no denying that we do things differently here in Arizona. We're not a big fan of others telling us how to live our lives, and tend to dig in or shy away from some of the things others take for granted.

Don't Tread on Our Clocks!

The debate about making Daylight Savings Time permanent has been raging across the country for years, and it was even taken up by the US congress recently.

But we don't give the bi-annual time change much thought here in Arizona, because we don't mess with it. Arizona opted out of the time change madness in 1968 and we've been Spring-Forward-Fall-Back-Free ever since.

Valentine's Day is for Statehood

Not feeling like a romantic on February 14th? In Arizona, that date has an even greater meaning. On February 14th, 1912, Arizona became the 49th state admitted to the union. If you'd rather send your friends Happy Statehood cards in place of mushy love notes, we can support that.

Parking Lot Tamales and Tortillas

If you've been to a grocery store in Arizona and you've never been to buy a dozen homemade tamales or tortillas as you're about to climb into your car, do you even live here?

Bonus points if you've actually handed over the cash and taken them home. Even more points if you've used the tortillas to make an old family enchilada recipe - whether you have Mexican roots or not!

How Hot Is It?

I'm sure everyone who's ever experienced a boiling hot June in Arizona has tried to fry an egg on the sidewalk. You may not have been quite as easy as you thought, but have you ever tried to bake a batch of cookies in your car?

They don't come out cookie-perfect and it takes longer than they would in a 400-degree oven, but they certainly aren't raw when you're done.

Really, How Hot Is It?

Never ask anyone who's lived in Arizona longer than 10 years to taste something and tell you if it's hot. And by hot, we mean spicey. They've lost the ability to be objective. Many Arizonans have chosen their favorite taco joints and Mexican restaurants based largely on the quality and heat in the salsa.

If you have to ask an Arizonan, trust me. It's too hot for you.