Midwesterners are very unique.
People don’t realize it, but we have a lot of super strange things we are completely used to that anyone else would find absolutely weird. I’ve never lived outside of the Midwest, so I’m used to all of these. When we go to the coasts or really anywhere outside of the Midwest, though, it isn’t hard for people to be able to tell we are extremely midwestern.
That said, here are 33 things only us Midwesterners completely understand:
1. Making the “ope” sound when you run into something or someone.
2. Chili and cinnamon rolls together is God's gift to Earth.
3. Waving to people when you pass them or they let you in front of them.
4. Dorothy Lynch on salads.
5. Bi-polar weather. Snowing one day, 80 degrees the next.
6. Saying “y’all” even if you’re not country.
7. Saying “Hi” to strangers.
8. Cornhole is the BEST tailgating game. Ever. Like no questions asked. Next..
9. Steakburgers.
10. Using landmarks as directions.
11. State fairs are actually super lit.
12. How important ranch is.
13. Going outside when there’s a tornado.
14. Calling it “pop” instead of soda.
15. The many different types of ice creams AKA concretes, thick, fro-yo…
16. Going to the lake is the best way to spend a hot summer day.
17. The funny words we make up, but all know. “Slammered, bumpin’, etc.”
18. Tying a rope onto a truck and going sledding… fast.
19. Sleeping on a mattress in a trunk for fun.
20. Ridiculous pranks (Herding cows inside a school, prank calls)
21. There is a difference in meat across state borders.
22. Street dances.
23. Farmer’s markets.
24. Knocking on a friend's door rather than calling them.
25. We all know what songs will be on the party playlist.
26. Backyard concerts.
27. The importance of proper BBQ.
28. The difference between a guard dog and a house dog.
29. Boots are acceptable all year round.
30. A “road trip” usually consists of going to another town not too far away.
31. We call everyone and everything smaller than us a “baby."
32. Manners are pretty common.
33. Bonfires are the life of the party.
