As much as we’d like to pretend otherwise, we have to admit it: Michiganders aren’t perfect. Despite our many fantastic qualities, we’ve all made slip-ups from time to time. Throughout the years, most of us have committed at least one of these nine Michigan-specific faux pas.
1. Calling it "soda" in a moment of desperation.
Perhaps you’ve been spending too much time around out-of-state friends or family, or maybe you’re traveling outside of Michigan and you want to fit in with the locals - either way, most of us have accidentally referred to our favorite fizzy beverage as "soda" instead of "pop" at least once. This misstep is typically met with looks of disgust from our fellow Michiganders. What a betrayal!
2. Assuming everyone knows why you’re pointing to your hand.
If you’ve found yourself outside the state of Michigan, there’s a good chance that you’ve been asked to explain where you’re from to a newfound friend or coworker. We Michiganders have the tendency to point to our palms when asked about our hometowns, but this might be a bit confusing to those who are accustomed to using "real" maps. Oops!
3. Stalling a bit too long during a Michigan left turn.
Those of us who live in Michigan are well-accustomed to making those Michigan lefts whenever they appear on the highway. That said, most of us are guilty of taking a bit too much time to follow through, whether we’re feeling extra cautious or simply not paying attention. There’s no better way to annoy our fellow drivers!
4. Making fun of Ohio in the presence of Ohioans.
It’s second nature for Michiganders to poke fun at Ohio residents, particularly those who express their support for Ohio State University. While we think it’s harmless to make anti-Ohio jokes among our Michigan friends, there’s nothing more awkward than accidentally calling out the Buckeyes in the presence of someone from Ohio. Sorry?
5. Assuming it’s "too cold" to go to the beach.
True Michiganders know that there’s no such thing as a day that’s "too cold" for appreciating the beauty of our Great Lakes. In fact, we’ve even been known to venture out and explore frozen piers and lighthouses during winter months! You’ll get a few judgmental looks from your fellow Michiganders if you attempt to use weather as an excuse to avoid the beach.
6. Acting confused upon receiving a square pizza.
Every real Michigander knows that Detroit-style pizza, which happens to be square, is the way to go. We don’t have anything against round pizza, but most of us are absolutely in love with the deliciousness of a pizza with perfectly crusty corners. Don’t embarrass yourself by complaining about the squareness!
7. Turning the volume down when a Pure Michigan ad comes on.
This might just be the cardinal sin for a Michigander. After all, Pure Michigan ads are our pride and joy, whether they pop up on our television screens or on the radio. The correct reaction is always to turn the volume up and appreciate the Michigan pride - no matter who tries to tell you otherwise.
8. Mispronouncing one of our many tough-to-say city names.
No matter how many time we’ve heard them, it’s still possible for Michiganders to be tripped up by the pronunciation of some of our state’s difficult-to-say city or street names. Mackinac, Sault Ste. Marie, Charlevoix, even Gratiot: it might be embarrassing, but we’ve probably mispronounced them at least once!
9. Complaining about the Great Lakes State.
You’ll certainly get a few dirty looks from your fellow Michiganders if you’re overheard complaining about our wonderful state. Sure, it’s easy to feel negative when we’re muddling through the depths of winter or battling unpredictable weather, but our state is wonderful - and the worst faux pas possible would be to speak ill of its many wonderful elements.
Are there any other faux pas that you and your fellow Michiganders have certainly made from time to time? We would love to hear from you, so share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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