Since coming down to Florida, I've found myself in some interesting conversations while trying to explain how we do things in Wisconsin. It's safe to say that those outside of the Midwest often just can't relate to our lives in the Dairy State. You don't truly understand how much of a Wisconsinite you are until you are...
1. Talking about summer jobs.
Apparently, working at a corn stand every summer is not really a thing in other, specifically southern states. I once shared that I worked at a corn stand in class and I had around 20 very confused faces staring at me. I was told "Wow, you really are from Wisconsin." In the Midwest, working at a corn or produce stand is nothing unusual, but elsewhere, it's apparently pretty odd.
2. Talking about county fairs.
I tried to explain to a friend how fun county fairs are and I started to talk about the 4-H exhibits there... you really don't realize how Midwest you are until you have to describe to someone that people really show their cows, goats, pigs, horses, etc. And how watching it is one of the most entertaining things.
3. Talking about cheese curds.
Ever heard of Ellsworth cheese curds? If you're from Wisconsin, you probably hear about them every day. In other places, the only cheese curds people are aware of are from Culver's. Boy, are they missing out on the squeaky goodness. Hey, we are Cheeseheads, aren't we?
4. Talking about cabins and lakes.
Having a cabin on a lake or having lake days are apparently pretty Midwest-y. I always thought that going to a cabin surrounded by woods in the middle of nowhere was a typical summer activity. But yet again, I was proven wrong when trying to explain the true essence of a weekend at the cabin in Wisconsin. And having over 15,000 lakes? Definitely not typical outside of the Midwest.
5. Talking about drinking.
Drinking responsibility? Sorry, I only know about drinking Wisconsinbly. Welcome to Wisconsin, the land of excessive drinking (not necessarily something to be proud of, but most definitely a thing).
6. Talking about the cold.
Oh, you really don't know cold until you've been to the Midwest. Below freezing temperatures? Absolutely. Freezing rain, historic blizzards, and temperatures in the -50s? Just another Wisconsin winter. And it's definitely not a surprise to see people out and about in such weather. In Florida, coats, scarves, and gloves will be worn if the temperatures get below 60. In Wisconsin, that's the perfect temperature to grill by the pool.
Wisconsin may seem like a boring state in the middle of nowhere, but don't knock it 'til you go there. It's really a state like no other. Once a Wisconsinite, always a Wisconsinite.
