If you were to ask anyone that knows me even the slightest bit to tell you one thing about me, 9 out of 10 times they would answer with “she’s from the south side of Chicago.” Growing up on the South Side holds a special place in my heart and is something I’m never shy about sharing.
Going away to school this year meant not only leaving my real family, but my South Side family as well. When you grow up in such a tight-knit community like I did and then have to leave it after 19 years, you begin to notice differences between the people from the place you call home and the people you meet in this new place.
Some of the things that my friends here at school have pointed out that I do and think differently got me to think about why I do or think them differently, and I’ve come to one solid conclusion: the South Side made me this way.
Here are a few of the most important:
1. You’re from the South Side of ChicAHgo not ChicAWgo.
People pronouncing your name wrong is annoying, but there’s nothing worse than someone who doesn’t respect the lazy “a” that rolls right off the tongue of native Chicagoans.
2. You went to grammar school not elementary school.
And no, you’re not talking about your grandma’s school.
3. Your automatic response to “Where are you from?” is to answer with whatever parish you’re a part of or the neighborhood you live in.
But of course, none of your northern suburban friends understand either, so you resort to letting them think you live next door to the John Hancock just so you don’t have to try and explain the neighborhoods that make up the magical place you get to call home.
4. You think St. Patrick’s Day should be considered a national holiday.
Because after the South Side Irish parade, a day off for recovery is much needed.
5. Go Go White Sox and whoever plays the Cubs (and you understand that song reference).
There’s always one or two people that go against the South Side-Sox Side stereotype, but you can almost count on the majority of the South Side to be supporting our boys in black and white come opening day in April.
6. You can proudly say you’ve drank in a cemetery or on the train tracks.
While this may sound morbid or dangerous to most, it’s a rite of passage that makes us South Siders who we are.
7. Having more than 30 cousins is completely normal.
3 words: Irish Catholic Families.
8. Block parties were your shit back in the day.
The first day of summer isn’t June 20, it’s the day of the first block party.
9. Italian beef sandwiches are more than just a food to you.
We’ve got Portillo’s, Pop’s, and Frankie’s—it doesn’t get much better than that.
10. You’re used to having people assume it’s scary where you live.
What people don’t know is that it’s hard for a place to be scary when every other one of your neighbors is on the CPD.
11. People can safely assume you went to Catholic high school.
It’s not because you come from a wealthy family, it’s because public high school just isn’t an option.
12. Your parents also grew up on the South Side.
Chances are, if you grow up on the South Side, you never leave. This also means your parents know everyone, including your best friend’s uncle’s ex-girlfriend’s brother.
13. When you meet someone at school that says they’re from the South Side you automatically become friends and talk about all things South Side.
I truly feel sorry for anyone that doesn’t get the privilege of growing up on the South Side of Chicago because it has given me the best 19 years of my life. Personally, I can’t think of any place better to raise a family and grow old in, so future husband, if you’re reading this, start looking for houses on the South Side because I’m never leaving.
