Growing up in a certain city tends to shape your character. Each city has its own quirks and unique characteristics. Personally, I have a slight biased towards my own home town of St. Louis, Missouri. Although I’ve done quite a bit of traveling, I am always able to spot other St. Louisans based on these ten signs of uniquely St. Louis characteristics.

1. You may not be a baseball fan, but you are a Cardinals fan.

Every St. Louisan looks forward to Cardinals baseball games in the summer. Although you may not love baseball, you definitely have an overwhelming love and pride of the Cardinal’s. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose (although they mostly win), you love going to games and supporting your home team. You will defend their record at any cost against non Cardinals fans and the thought of being a Cub’s fan make you nauseous.

2. You have extreme feelings about Imo’s pizza.

It is the best. Period. Its thin crust, cheesy deliciousness is a St. Louis staple that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

3. You refuse to call St. Louis Bread Company by anything other than its rightful name.

Panera? What’s that?

4. You take everyone that visits to forest park.

A free zoo, art museum and history museum? Does it get any better than that? And don’t even get me started on the boat house and paddle boating. Forest Park is perfect for a family picnic or a date night to the Muny to see a play and everything in-between.

5. One of the first questions you ask someone when meeting them is where they went to high school.

You can immediately assume 20 different things about a person just by where they went to high school. And odds are, when they tell you, you’ll know someone who went there too and you’ll realize you have a mutual friend. Everyone knows everyone in St. Louis.

6. The Arch is more than just a metal structure.

It’s a unique form of art that is distinctively recognizable. Basically, it’s St. Louis’ pride and joy. It’s also a fun adventure to climb into a five person pod with your friends and ride to the top! If you’re lucky, you’ll go on a day when it’s windy and feel the arch sway back and forth.

7. You’re actually from North, South, West or St. Charles County but you just tell people you’re from St. Louis.

North County is sketchy, South County is in the boonies, West County is snobby and St. Charles County is “over the river”.

8. Half of your graduating high school class attended Flo Valley, Lindenwood or St. Charles Community College.

We St. Louisans tend to stay in state after high school. Maybe it’s because we love our city that much?

9. Ted Drew’s has the best frozen custard ever.

Is there anything better on a hot summer day than to go to Ted Drews, stand in line for half an hour in the raging humidity for frozen custard? Absolutely not. Completely worth it.

10. You’re pretty upset that toasted raviolis are not more popular in other states but you’re a little happy they’re just a St. Louis thing.

You’re getting a little tired of explaining them to people, but they’re delicious so it’s worth it. Bonus: If you get them in the Hill, even better.

At the end of the day, St. Louisans are extremely proud of their city and the unique things they have to offer. That’s why St. Louis will always be home and my favorite city.