Growing up in the Midwest, you are surrounded by cornfields, tend to have long commutes, and are dubbed as "passover" states in others eyes. The Midwest has so much to offer, but there are constant debates or battle Midwesterners face throughout their lives. Grab your ranch and go sneak by these 15 debates every Midwestern has.
1. Ope VS. Ope
Midwesterners are known for being polite, so whether you're driving a car, pushing a shopping cart in Target, or just walking on the street. We can get into an "Ope" battle, which is when you are moving towards a person, try to get out of their way, they move the same direction as you, and then you do an awkward dance trying to get around them. The words "Ope" and excessive "I'm Sorry's" come out to play. Sometimes being polite isn't easy.
2. Ranch VS. Lesser Condiments
Ranch. On. Everything. Whether you want it on your pizza, fries, or even your salads, ranch seems to be the MVC (Most Valuable Condiment) in the Midwest. The other condiments, whether ketchup, other salad dressings, or anything else pales to the white and thick dressing that has stole so many hearts.
3. Walking Taco VS. Taco In A Bag
Apparently, this meal is just a Midwestern thing. The debate over the meal in the bag is what to call it. I'm Team "Walking Taco" forever and always.
4. John Deere Green VS. Case IH Red
If you want to get someone's blood boiling, bring up the classic debate over John Deere or Case IH tractors. There will be passion, maybe some yelling, and hopefully no one will run each other over because of this debate.
5. Tornado Lovers VS. Tornado Haters
Tornados are a dime a dozen in the Midwest, but there are two types of people when facing this natural disaster. Person One: the moment they hear tornado sirens, they run outside to their yard or front porch and enjoy the entertainment. Person Two: the moment they hear there is a "Tornado Watch," they grab all their prized possessions and sit in their basement with tears in their eyes.
6. Bags VS. Cornhole
This game is a classic way to spend your summer nights, but things can get a little heated when trying to name this game. The right people call it "bags" and those who are wrong call it "cornhole."
7. Pop VS. Soda
My reaction when someone calls soda "pop." Forget politics, the Midwest is most divided about what to name this sweet drink. Don't get me even started on other names like "soda-pop," "Coke", or any other incorrect names.
8. Culver's VS. Fast Food Restaurants
Culver's is one of the best fast food restaurants ever, don't @ me. If you haven't been to a Culver's yet: grab your closest friends, a vehicle, and take a road trip to the one nearest you. If you have been to a Culver's: grab your closest friends, a vehicle, and take a road trip to the one nearest you. Come experience amazing burgers, even better chicken tenders, gooey cheese curds, and then finish your meal up with a scoop of custard. You won't be disappointed.
9. Bubbler VS. Water Fountain
Two names, same thing. Just like many things on this list, there is a debate in the Midwest on what to call this mystical fountain.
10. Casserole VS. Hotdish
Just like so many debates here in this article, the Midwest is divided on what to call these warm dishes that can be served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The one thing we can always agree on is that there will be a hotdish or casserole at a family party or cookout.
11. Lightning Bugs VS. Fireflies
What do you call the little that flies around in the summer that glows in its rear section? It seems that the Midwest and nation in general is divided on what to call them. Whether you call them lightning bugs or fireflies, you have to agree that these insects can make a summer night even more beautiful.
12. Weather VS. Everyone
Welcome to the Himalayas Midwest. This debate is not really between person vs. person, this is between Mother Nature and the entire population of the Midwest. Our winters are freezing, with so much snow and ice. Our springs can be cold one day, hot the next, and then rain for days without end. Our summers are so humid that just stepping outside makes you sweat, and do not even get me started on hot leather seats. Our falls are hot, the leaves change colors, and then it is freezing. Spring and fall seasons do not last long in the Midwest. One thing is for certain that we all can agree on is that Midwest weather makes no sense.
13. Custard VS. Ice Cream
Just like Cheese Curds VS. Mozzarella Sticks, there really isn't a bad decision between custard and ice cream. This is a hard decision to make because custard is usually thicker and creamier compared to ice cream, but ice cream is a lot more popularly sold at restaurants and grocery stores. Personally, I'll just have a scoop of both.
13. Road Construction VS. Summer
Living in the Midwest means you experience harsh winters and bipolar spring and fall seasons. Once the temperatures start to rise, so do the construction signs. Once we finally have safe roads to drive on and can go cruising wherever we please, traffic cones and slower speed limits can ruin summertime fun. Sitting in traffic for 40 minutes because workers are painting a bridge is not summer goals. The plus side of construction is that there is a chance roads won't have Grand Canyon sized potholes.
14. Cheese Curds VS. Mozzarella Sticks
Personally, I love both because CHEESE IS LIFE, but if you are in diary farm country (ahem, Wisconsin) or going to Culver's. You must get cheese curds because nothing compares to them. Case Closed.
15. The Midwest VS. Everywhere Else
Being in the Midwest sometimes makes you feel like you are the middle child, sometimes forgotten and not valued, in your opinion. The East and West Coasts get more news coverage, home to many A-listers and major metropolises. The South has the Gulf, pretty accents, and country music. Being in the middle means we are surrounded by amazing states around us, but the Midwest has some awesome things ourselves. Living in the Midwest is something that not everyone gets to experience, but we as a group can agree, there is nothing quite like the Midwest.
Where do you stand on these debates? Are you team pop or soda? No matter what side you are on, we all can agree that these are debates or battles we face while living in the Midwest, and there are plenty more where that comes from. The thing about debates is that we can move on, sit around the table, and eat some cheese curds with ranch.
