A transplant will carry their entire tackle box down to the river to fish.
A local will select a handful of favorites, plop them into a well used Ziploc bag, deposit them in the designated fishing vest pocket and return the tackle box to storage.
A transplant will show up to social gatherings appropriately dressed for the occasion whether business casual, sporty or formal.
An Alaskan will appear in an Alaskan Tuxedo (work boots, denim jeans, flannel button down shirt and baseball hat) for every occasion and think nothing of it. If it’s extremely formal, they may forego the baseball hat.
A transplant will wear a pair of heels out of the house and struggle walking to/from point A to B in freezing cold across snow and ice.
A local Alaska chick will don a sturdy pair of boots or tennis shoes and hand carry her heels wherever she’s going before putting them on.
A transplant will ask the stylist for the latest seasonal haircut.
A local Alaska chick will have her hair cut so that it looks good with or without a hat or ear saving head band on.
A transplant will head to a brand name chain shop looking for the latest camping and freeze dried meal offerings.
An Alaskan local will head straight for the local shop stocking ‘the good stuff’ namely, pilot bread, jerky, instant noodles and canned meat (spam included.)
A transplant will clean and store the barbecue grill away for winter.
An Alaska local will give it a permanent home and employ its service year round.
A transplant will run out and buy a set of chains to put on their vehicle when winter rolls round.
An Alaskan local will have the ‘tires changed’ to studs soon after season’s first snow.
A transplant will ogle over the Alaskan seafood section at the supermarket before carefully selecting a choice fillet.
An Alaska local will pass by giving the once-over purely for research purposes— they’re comparing the market value of what’s in their deep freeze.
A transplant will turn around and head back when someone on the trail passes by saying, “Bear.”
An Alaskan local will ask, “Grizzly?” and depending on the answer, keep on keeping on.
A transplant will scurry around in a frenzy going, “Earthquake? It’s an earthquake!” Then, call friends and family to let everyone know they’re alright.
An Alaskan local will say, “It’s only a 5…. go back to sleep.” 