When you're from Northern New York, it's really difficult to explain to people what it's really like. This discussion usually leads to a lot of raised eyebrows and sometimes even concerned expressions because it's suddenly like you've flipped their entire world upside down. When you're from Northern New York there's certain things you just understand that nobody else does.

1. There's a 110 percent chance that every single Northern New Yorker out there has had this conversation at least once in their life:

"Where are you from?"

"New York."

"Oh my gosh, like the city?!"

"No, no,no..Northern New York, like, do you know where Canada is?"

"Oh, I know some people from Buffalo!"

"No, farther north."

*Cue the look of utter shock of someone finding out that New York is more than just a city AND that you can physically live north of Buffalo without being a Canadian.*

2. We are not "Upstate."

Upstate is a term used to describe the Syracuse area, so don't tell us we are from upstate because you're wrong, friend.

3. We all low-key take pride in one of T-Swift's top sellers.

We're not from the city but we all know we jam out to Taylor Swift's "Welcome to New York," like hey, that's not about us but we're going to act like it is because we technically live in New York.

4. Stewart's. Enough said.

New York City may have a lot of cool things... BUT DO THEY HAVE STEWART'S?! That's the real question here. If you say you're from Northern New York but have never been to Stewart's you're either a.) not who you say you are, or b.) just a filthy liar. Stewart's is much more than a gas station. Stewart's is life.

5. 55 degrees is not light jacket weather, it is tanning weather.

If you're driving around and just so happen to glance down at your car thermometer to see that it is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit and there's people outside in shorts and flip flops, you're in Northern New York. We have to take advantage of the warm weather while we can so stop judging us.

6. Snow: the other "s" word.

Snow isn't just for Christmas time. It's for Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Earth Day, Memorial Day, Mother's Day...

7. Just when you think there's no more snow, there always is.

Hello, lake effect! Lake effect is Mother Nature's way of taking everything out on you and you just sit there and wonder what you did to deserve all of that misery. There's nothing like being named the snowiest and coldest place in the lower 48 states.

8. Wearing your pajamas inside out and flushing ice cubes down the toilet is as routine as brushing your teeth before bed.

The only good part about snow is the snow days. We all check the T.V. as soon as we get up because there's no better feeling than seeing your school's name running across the bottom of the screen. It's like a surprise vacation.

9. Getting upset you didn't have a snow day.

There's nothing better than cleaning two feet of snow off of your car (yes, two feet) just to drive to school and have them send you home early because the weather is supposed to get worse. We all have that "I told you so" look on our faces as we walk out of the building.

10. Praying you don't get another snow day so you don't have a day of break taken away.

It's just an emotional roller coaster. You non-Northern New Yorkers wouldn't understand.

11. We usually can't walk outside during the summer without our hair making us a couple inches taller.

Yes, contrary to popular belief, it is extremely humid in Northern New York. With what few warm months we have, it can sometimes be unbearably hot. It's not uncommon to have days with 90 percent humidity.

12. We love air conditioning.

Because it's usually comparable to a tundra where we're from, a lot of us think there's no point in investing in central air...until we find ourselves laying on our kitchen tile floor with ice cubes in our hands because we just can't deal. Unfortunately, a lot of places have that mentality so wearing grey is not usually an option.

13. Countless pairs of shoes have been ruined because of salt.

See some ice? Throw some salt on it. Hear we're supposed to get ice? Throw some salt on it. You know the common saying, "Just rub some dirt on it?" Ours is, "Just throw some salt on it."

14. Elementary and documentary.

We know how we say it and that's how we like to say it.

15. Someone cuts you off right before you're about to park and then you're not surprised when you see the license plate.

We have all known the struggle of going to the mall to have a nice day of shopping only to have to park a mile away because we have better prices than Canada. Which brings me to my final point...

16. WE ARE NOT CANADIAN.

Do not call us Canadian. Although we do fly the American and Canadian flag, eat a lot of maple syrup, talk the same, and watch hockey, this doesn't mean we are Canadian... we're just sort of similar.

So shout out to all the Northern New Yorkers because you are the real MVPs; the rest of the world just doesn't know it.