Traveling the short distance of two hours from my hometown outside of Chicago to college Madison, Wisconsin, I would have never expected to form so many friendships with people from the other side of the country — AKA the East Coast. From New York to Boston to Washington D.C., I've learned that the Midwest does and says things a little differently. Here's what my ‘coastie’ friends have taught me about life out east.
1. The DMV is not just a place you get your driver’s license
Despite popular belief, when people on the East Coast refer to the DMV, they’re actually referring to the “D.C., Maryland, Virginia” area. However, just like the Chicago suburbs are considered Chicago, this is usually summed up as just Washington D.C.
2. The East Coast keeps Canada Goose in business
While this trend has traveled to the Midwest and beyond, finding a Coastie without a Canada Goose is like finding a Wisconsinite who hasn’t tried cheese curds.
3. Sushi is better from the ocean
Although I cannot verify this is true (I don’t like sushi—sorry), apparently when the raw fish in sushi comes from the Great Lakes, or any freshwater lake, it’s not considered "real sushi."
4. Bagels are too for some reason
This one I’m not sure if I believe. But again, for whatever reason, bagels are better on the coast. I'm not sure how fresh, toasted bagels could get any better, but if it takes traveling to the East Coast to get that much closer to perfection, I'll be there.
5. Tennis/gym/running shoes = sneakers
Regardless if you're wearing them out, to the gym, or to class, people from the East Coast generalize these multipurpose shoes into one term: sneakers.
While the East Coast may think they have the rest of the country beat in bagels and sushi, Chicago wins for deep dish pizza and Wisconsin will always dominate the cheese curd game. Don't get me wrong, I love my East Coast friends and respect their mannerisms (as strange as they may be).
