Posted in Wisconsin by Nicole

18 Things People From Wisconsin Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners

If you’re like most Wisconsinites, every time you travel or have folks in for a visit, they have a ton of questions about what it’s like to live in Wisconsin — especially in the winter. Living in Wisconsin can be a pretty unique and awesome experience, especially if you adore magical landscapes, friendly locals, and fantastic cheese. Nonetheless, there are some persisting stereotypes about Wisconsin… and we locals aren’t afraid to discuss them. Here are some of the things Wisconsinites always have to explain to folks not from ’round these parts:

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

1. Yes, we go to work and school when it snows. No, nothing really shuts down. Yes, we're more likely to close for extreme cold. Flickr/McBeth When the weather man tells you not to step out of the house with exposed skin... well, some of us do it anyway. And, truly? It wouldn't be that bad if not for the wind chill. 2. We call it soda. Flickr/Rex Sorgatz Look at one of those soda vs. pop maps and Wisconsin is an oasis in the midst of a desert of folks using the wrong word for fizzy drinks. We Wisconsinites know what's up, and our vernacular reflects that proudly. 3. The opening day of deer hunting season is a holiday. Flickr/Christopher Volkman Fortunately for locals, blaze orange goes with anything and everything. 4. We will tailgate for everything, no matter the weather. Flickr/Tim Hagen Built more for speed and ease than some of those down south tailgates, ours are all about the brats and beer and warming yourself around the grill. So maybe it snowed for opening day last year, maybe it'll snow this year. Either way, cars will still line up an hour before the gates opened. 5. After security in the airport, there is a recombobulation area. Flickr/Steve Lambert At this point, these signs in Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee have to be some of the most photographed in the state. But they're also hilarious and not wrong. 6. We've got a festival for that. Flickr/Dave Reid Forget Glastonbury, Coachella and Bonnaroo, Wisconsin actually has the World's Biggest Music Festival... And a few hundred other festivals to keep you busy year-round. 7. Brandy is our liquor of choice. Flickr/Melomane Wisconsin is known for beer, but we also really love brandy. Especially in our old fashioneds - but also in our slushies, Alexanders, and coffee. Korbel says a third of their total production comes to the Dairy State. Legends talk of contingents of Badger fans traveling to football bowl games and drinking towns dry of their brandy. 8. Need a bit of water from a public fountain - Yeah, that's a bubbler. Flickr/Geoff Penaluna Wisconsin and a few spotty places out east are the only places that use this term for a drinking fountain, but that doesn't stop us from assuming everyone knows what we mean when we ask where the bubbler is. The story goes that Bubbler was actually a brand name that became ubiquitous, but it might also be the name of the component from which the water flows. Either way, this is a pretty uniquely Wisconsin word. 9. We love a good Friday Fish Fry -- and we have them year-round. Flickr/Tom Kelly The Wisconsin fish fry has roots in the Lenten tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays. Fried things are delicious, easy to do en masse, and don't require cooking expertise. They've remained a stalwart because they're delicious... and nothing will stop us from digging in outside of the Lenten season. 10. How to pronounce most anything. Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM It's fine, we've heard you struggle with Racine and Mequon, so we know Ashwaubenon, Oconomowoc and Mukwonago are beyond you. 11. We will wait an hour for a cream puff. Flickr/A Bill Miller Ok, so the line moves faster than that, but cream puffs are sacred here. Served just during the 10 days of the state fair, they represent all that is right about living in America's Dairyland. 12 .Yes, the cheese really is that much better. Flickr/WIDNR You don't really understand this until you leave. Then you realize we can buy better cheese in our gas stations than most people have access to ever. 13. When it comes to pro sports - we hate Chicago. Flickr/Elvis Kennedy The Bears and Packers are two of the oldest teams in the country, so the rivalry is natural. Just like extending that hate to division-mates The Cubs comes as easy as breathing. 14. But when it comes to college sports, it's Minnesota that we hate. Flickr/Bely Medved The Border Battle is sacred and true. Phil Kessel never won a National Championship. The Axe is the only trophy that matters 15. Bratwurst is king. Flickr/Neil Staeck No, it's not similar to a hot dog. Yes, Miller Park is the only MLB stadium whose best-seller isn't a hot dog. 16. Knowing what "lake effect" is. Flickr/Dave Brusky You know that in the summer, it's always cooler by the lake. Bring a sweatshirt, even in July. You'll need it. In the winter, it'll snow along the coast, but not just a few miles inland. Lake Michigan doesn't really freeze over and those warmer waters wreak all kinds of havoc on our weather. Bonus points if you've ever had to explain what lake effect is to an out-of-towner. 17. Up North is more than a (vague) location - it's a state of mind. Flickr/Elvis Kennedy Everyone knows someone with a cabin "up north'" and we head there every weekend in the summer and even a few weekends in the winter. Up North is about supper clubs and a slower way of life. It's fishing from the pier and small town life. 18. It's WISconsin, not WESconsin. Flickr/Ronnica Rothe I mean, we live here, so I'd take our word on how to pronounce it.

There are many stereotypes about Wisconsin, but we locals aren’t afraid to put you in your place about proper pronunciation of cherished words. We’re absolutely grateful for our cheese selection, and we love a good tailgating cookout. We also unashamedly adore our state, and these quirky traits make it a particularly magical place to live. How many of these things have you had to explain to people who aren’t from around here? Share your experiences in the comments!

Love living here in The Badger State? You’re not alone, and we locals also rank among the most patriotic in the nation.