You might be from the Northwest if you:

* Feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.

* Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.

* Know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

* Feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.

* Stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.

* Consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it's not a real mountain.

* Know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon.

* Know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, and Willamette.

* Consider swimming an indoor sport.

* Can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food.

* In winter, go to work in the dark and come home in the dark-while only working eight-hour days.

* Never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

* Are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain, and Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."

* You can't wait for a day with "showers and sun breaks."

* Have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

* Know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.

* Can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you can't see through the cloud cover.

* Say, "The mountain is out" when it's a pretty day and you can actually see it.

* Put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

* Switch to your sandals when it gets above 60, but keep the socks on.

* Have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

* Think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

* Knew immediately that the view out "Frasier's" window was fake.

* Buy new sunglasses every year, because you can't find the old ones after such a long time.

* Switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day. You use a down comforter in the summer.

* Your grandparents drive 65 mph through 2 feet of water during raging rainstorm without flinching.

* Design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

* Know that driving is better in the winter because almost everybody stays home.

* Think sexy lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas.

* Actually understand these comments and forward them to all your friends in Washington or Oregon or those who used to live here.

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