Sure, we’ll admit it: Michiganders are definitely a quirky bunch. From our unique slang to our fun traditions to our friendly faces, there are plenty of elements that set us apart from the rest of the country. Here are nine undeniable habits that most Michiganders exhibit — and we don’t think these will ever change!
- Calling it pop — no matter where we go.
Flickr/spam991 Whether we’re across the country or across the world, that fizzy beverage will always be “pop” to us. In fact, we’ll gladly endure the stares of servers at faraway restaurants when they ask us for our drink order — we were raised on “pop,” and we’re pretty certain that the name is going to stick!
- Lifting our palms to point when people ask where we’re from.
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League It’s just an automatic response! After all, not all Americans are lucky enough to have a map of their home state built right into their hands. When asked to explain where we’re from, we Michiganders are pretty much guaranteed to point out our hometowns on our very own palms.
- Bundling up when January rolls around.
Flickr/Amanda Graham Even if we’re spending winter in tropical destination, the very sound of the word “January” triggers an immediate response in Michiganders. To us, January means lake effect snow, subzero temperatures, and seemingly endless layers of fleecy clothing. It takes a lot to unlearn this chilly association!
- Telling people how many minutes, not miles, away from something they are.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Oh, you want directions to the nearest Meijer store? It’s just about ten minutes up the road! In many parts of the world, directions are given in miles — not minutes. But we Michiganders want you to know just how long it will take you to reach your destination, and we’ll be sure to tell you!
- Adding a possessive “s” to the end of words.
Flickr/Matthew Rutledge Yes, we can read. We realize that the name of the store is actually Kroger, not “Kroger’s.” But we’re from Michigan, and that means we’re always going to add possessive “s” sound to the end of our favorite places. Whether they’re stores or automobile companies, it just feels right to us.
- Gagging a little when someone mentions Ohio State.
Flickr/MGoBlog It doesn’t matter whether we’re fans of Michigan State or Michigan. We can all come together in our distaste for Ohio State. Just seeing that gaudy red or hearing the word “Buckeye” can conjure up pure nausea in a Michigander, and it’s tough to unlearn our most deeply rooted rivalry.
- Turning up the radio or TV when a Pure Michigan ad comes on.
Flickr/angelawyu You know the drill: you’re driving in a car, enjoying a leisurely drive, when the soothing tones of Tim Allen’s voice suddenly emerge from your radio. He’s talking about the beauty of our Great Lakes, the friendliness of our neighbors, and the overall joy of being from Michigan. Not to mention that inspirational background music! How can we resist turning it up to full volume?!
- Smiling and saying hello to strangers on the street.
Flickr/Steve Holden Maybe it’s that “Midwestern friendliness,” or maybe Michiganders are just a great group of people… we’re inclined to say that it’s a bit of both. No matter how far from home we roam, we’ll never be able to unlearn our kindness, and this means we’re quick to wave at and greet people we walk past, whether or not our gesture is reciprocated.
- Keeping the fridge stocked with Vernors.
Flickr/Majiscup We’ll go to great lengths to make sure we can keep Vernors on hand, just in case a stomachache strikes! Every Michigander knows that this special ginger ale is the ultimate cure-all for nausea, so we’ll always take it upon ourselves to keep our pantries and refrigerators well-stocked.
Tell us, Michiganders: what are some habits you simply can’t unlearn because of your Michigan upbringing? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Flickr/spam991
Whether we’re across the country or across the world, that fizzy beverage will always be “pop” to us. In fact, we’ll gladly endure the stares of servers at faraway restaurants when they ask us for our drink order — we were raised on “pop,” and we’re pretty certain that the name is going to stick!
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League
It’s just an automatic response! After all, not all Americans are lucky enough to have a map of their home state built right into their hands. When asked to explain where we’re from, we Michiganders are pretty much guaranteed to point out our hometowns on our very own palms.
Flickr/Amanda Graham
Even if we’re spending winter in tropical destination, the very sound of the word “January” triggers an immediate response in Michiganders. To us, January means lake effect snow, subzero temperatures, and seemingly endless layers of fleecy clothing. It takes a lot to unlearn this chilly association!
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Oh, you want directions to the nearest Meijer store? It’s just about ten minutes up the road! In many parts of the world, directions are given in miles — not minutes. But we Michiganders want you to know just how long it will take you to reach your destination, and we’ll be sure to tell you!
Flickr/Matthew Rutledge
Yes, we can read. We realize that the name of the store is actually Kroger, not “Kroger’s.” But we’re from Michigan, and that means we’re always going to add possessive “s” sound to the end of our favorite places. Whether they’re stores or automobile companies, it just feels right to us.
Flickr/MGoBlog
It doesn’t matter whether we’re fans of Michigan State or Michigan. We can all come together in our distaste for Ohio State. Just seeing that gaudy red or hearing the word “Buckeye” can conjure up pure nausea in a Michigander, and it’s tough to unlearn our most deeply rooted rivalry.
Flickr/angelawyu
You know the drill: you’re driving in a car, enjoying a leisurely drive, when the soothing tones of Tim Allen’s voice suddenly emerge from your radio. He’s talking about the beauty of our Great Lakes, the friendliness of our neighbors, and the overall joy of being from Michigan. Not to mention that inspirational background music! How can we resist turning it up to full volume?!
Flickr/Steve Holden
Maybe it’s that “Midwestern friendliness,” or maybe Michiganders are just a great group of people… we’re inclined to say that it’s a bit of both. No matter how far from home we roam, we’ll never be able to unlearn our kindness, and this means we’re quick to wave at and greet people we walk past, whether or not our gesture is reciprocated.
Flickr/Majiscup
We’ll go to great lengths to make sure we can keep Vernors on hand, just in case a stomachache strikes! Every Michigander knows that this special ginger ale is the ultimate cure-all for nausea, so we’ll always take it upon ourselves to keep our pantries and refrigerators well-stocked.
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