Why do merchant websites use a Drop-Down-Box for "State"?!1

[UTUSN]

You are at the keyboard typing all the other information, then when you get to "State" you have to LEAVE THE KEYBOARD and scroll down in the Drop-Down and click. And it appears to be universal, like somebody decided this was a really really good idea. Typing the 2 danged letters would be SO faster/easier.

But if there is *some* advantage to it, somebody here is BOUND to know!1

[Richardo]

1. I just hit 'T' twice and Texas appears (after Tennessee)

That works for 95% of the state dropdowns that I come across.

[UTUSN]

6. Wow!1 See?!1 I knew somebody knew what I don't (including posters below). Thanks to all n/t

[madinmaryland]

2. Just type in the first letter of the state.

i.e. for Maryland, I hit "m" and then the down arrow, and I am done.

Doesn't sound like a problem to me.

[pokerfan]

3. I use the cursor keys

My state's a 'W' so when I tab to that box I just hit <end> to go to the end of the list then the up arrow a couple of times.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Because too many people don't know their state...

abbreviation. Even more don't know other state abbreviations, so you get the dropdown box to limit such mistakes.

(Quick-- the abbreviations for Alaska, Arkansas, and Arizona. And no peeking)

[Lars39]

5. You'd be suprised how many people don't know the 2 letter for their state.