Welcome to one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Chicago! As you might have seen in brochures or on the Travel Channel, Chicago is exciting, with millions of things to do. If you want to explore some of the tourist attractions like Navy Pier or the Skydeck at the Sears Tower, we have that! Want to try some good ol’ Chicago deep dish pizza or a true American hot dog? You can do that, too! Here are six key Chicago courtesies to follow to ensure the best time in the city we love and want to share with you!
1. Chicago Pace
Welcome to a city that lives at an immensely fast pace. Come rush hour, the commotion of the city is in full bloom. To avoid the Loop’s hustle and bustle, do not wander around the city from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. If you must walk in the Loop during these chaotic times, you must master the Chicago walk. So what is the Chicago walk? You know when you’re driving and you hit all green lights? This is essentially the same thing for Chicago walkers with walk signs. If you are going at the right pace, you will hit the walk signs without having to pause. If you are unable to meet the pace of Chicago commuters, we kindly ask that you remain on the edge of the sidewalk so that we may pass through.
2. Chicago Escalators
Similar to the Chicago walking pace, there is a flow that is established from the point of exiting public transportation to the intended destination. If you have ever experienced trains (Metra or CTA), you will know the mess that comes with exiting them. If you have not, a much appreciated common courtesy in Chicago is when you are going to stand still while riding up the escalator, please stand to the right of the escalator. This allows people in this fast-paced community to get to their destinations quickly by climbing the left side of the escalator. Don't be that person.
3. Pictures
Everyone should be able to experience and capture all that Chicago has to offer! There are so many landmarks and architectural wonders to be discovered. If you feel like snapping a picture of your family/friends or taking a selfie, refrain from blocking public walkways. Whether it is crossing the street or waiting for a crowd to pass through, this is for your own safety! This is to avoid a potential reenactment of a certain childhood-scarring scene from "The Lion King."
4. Sports
By no means am I a sports fanatic, but I am a Chicagoan, so any Chicago team (Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs, Bulls, White Sox, etc.) is a team I am rooting for. If you’re a die-hard sports fan of any other team in a league that is not a Chicago team (which is all right; everyone is entitled to their own opinion), my suggestion is to not make it public. Chicago sports fans are loyal and will support and defend their teams until the end. Respect the Chicago spirit!
5. Chicago Landmark: Sears Tower
You may have noticed I mentioned the Sears Tower above. Does that not show up on your places to visit? That's because your travel guides and information will refer to it as Willis Tower (which is legally now the name of the building). To any Chicago native, the Sears Tower will forever be the name of the "Willis" Tower. It is an abomination to call it such, so if you’re ever confused as to why someone corrects you or pretends not to know what the Willis Tower is, this is why.
6. Chicago Accents
It is highly encouraged to avoid telling a Chicago native they have an accent in their own city. We kind of have a knack for trying to prove we don’t have an accent because “bagel” is pronounced “bay-gull” and not “bag-ul.” We know how we say Chicago as "shh-kaaaah-go" is a lot different than your pronunciation, and we like it that way. If a native is in your city outside of Chicago, then yes we have an accent. In our own city, that does not exist!
