Melanie was raised in Michigan (an hour outside of Chicago) and has been living in the Midwest ever since.

Do you relate to this?

You Know You're From Michigan When...

Every US state is known for some stereotypes and my home state, Michigan, is no different. A lot of Michigan stereotypes are oddly similar to stereotypes of those from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canada. Some of these things are total myths, some are slightly based on fact, and some of these are 100% true.



It's important to know that a stereotype isn't always the case. While some things might be true for many people in the Great Lakes State, it may be entirely off for another person. The same holds true for people from other states. This is why it's important to get to know a person before making snap decisions about them based on where they're from.

Pure Michigan, not like those fake Michigans sold at mall kiosks [Public Domain]

You point to a spot on your hand to show someone where you're from



This is a nifty way to show someone where you're from and, embarrassingly enough, I've used this method! This is not a hurtful stereotype and it's kind of a fun way to show some Michigan pride!

You've never met a celebrity

This one doesn't make any sense to me. I don't know about other parts of Michigan, but there are lots of stars that have summer homes in our area. Heck! My brother swam in Muhammed Ali's swimming pool!



Notable residents of my town include:

Dennis Farina, actor on Law & Order

Patrick Swayze had a condo here

Louis Farrakhan (I was stopped by his security as a kid for inadvertently wandering onto his property)

Roger Ebert

Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls

Richard Daley, former Chicago mayor



Muhammed Ali lives nearby (out in Berrien Springs), and Oprah had a home a few miles outside of town (actually in Indiana, though.) It is also rumored that the guy who wears the "Benny the Bull" mascot costume for the Chicago Bulls lives down the street from us, but I'm not sure how true that is. So, the "you've never met a celebrity" thing isn't the case, at least in this area.

Michigan's beautiful fall foliage! (just kidding) Winter on the Paw Paw River Donaar, CC-BY, via Flickr

You Have a Michigan Accent

The Michigan Accent & Michiganders' Slang Words

A guide on the Michigan accent and commonly used slang words (and their Michigan-style pronunciation) that Michiganders and other Midwesterners often use.

Michigan weather!

There are a lot of weather-related stereotypes about Michigan.

You design your children's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The weather suddenly gets cold around Halloween, so this one has a lot of truth in it.

The weather suddenly gets cold around Halloween, so this one has a lot of truth in it. You can experience all four seasons in one day.

This is slightly true; the weather can change quite rapidly here in Michigan.

This is slightly true; the weather can change quite rapidly here in Michigan. 4th of July celebrations are held indoors because of the cold

Not true except maybe far, far north like the UP. It gets sweltering here, summer days can reach into the 80s and 90s mainly in July and August.

Not true except maybe far, far north like the UP. It gets sweltering here, summer days can reach into the 80s and 90s mainly in July and August. Winter lasts nine months.

This one does seem to be true. Summer is nice, but it does take a while to heat up, and then it only lasts for a few months and then gets cold again.



One misconception is that Michigan is like the Arctic Tundra. People have asked me, "How warm does it get in the Summer?" When I tell them that it gets into the 90s some days, they look disappointed. Sometimes I feel like responding, "I'm just kidding... yeah, the warmest is just above freezing, sometimes we only wear one coat."

This one does seem to be true. Summer is nice, but it does take a while to heat up, and then it only lasts for a few months and then gets cold again. One misconception is that Michigan is like the Arctic Tundra. People have asked me, "How warm does it get in the Summer?" When I tell them that it gets into the 90s some days, they look disappointed. Sometimes I feel like responding, "I'm just kidding... yeah, the warmest is just above freezing, sometimes we only wear one coat." Home Improvement stores are packed in the summer

This is true. I used to work at Lowe's, and when it got warm out, it was super busy. In fact, I was hired as a seasonal (temporary) employee before I was officially hired in. There were a ton of us who were all hired as seasonal employees if that tells you how busy these stores are in the summer.

Map of the US According to Michiganders

Parody map of the US according to Michiganders via Pure Michigan Facebook Page

You can spend Canadian money

That used to be true, to a degree. In recent years, people have been getting picky about taking Canadian money.



However, people never heavily abused the Canadian money thing. If we got Canadian money, we never complained and would spend it just like American money. We only received change, never bills and we could spend it anywhere around here except the banks.

Detroit actually does have some really pretty areas (Picture: The West Canfield Historic District) Andrew Jameson, CC-BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons

You know how to play (and say) Euchre

That's pronounced like "you + kerr," and I used to know how to play this game. It's a four-player card game that uses only the nines, tens, jacks, queens, kings, and aces.



A lot of people do seem to know how to play this game as there are always clubs listed on public access television that meet up and play it. I think this stereotype is also true in Indiana, at least I've heard this stereotype applied to people from Indiana.

Lake Michigan keeps New Buffalo a little chillier than towns further inland. Technologik, CC-BY, via Flickr

An international trip involves choosing The Bridge or The Tunnel.

This stereotype is talking about the drive to Canada through Detroit. If you're taking the trip across the border here (to Windsor, Ontario), you have the choice of taking a bridge or a tunnel. When we cross in Detroit, we usually take the tunnel. However, we typically cross up north on the bridge from Port Huron, Michigan to Sarnia, Ontario.

This actually quite commonplace in MIchigan, so drive carefully in the countryside brokinhrt2, CC-BY, via Flickr

Everyone, including women, know how to use jumper cables

I had a non-Michigan friend who had to use my jumper cables to jump his car, and he put them on wrong, causing the cables to melt. I was shocked that this person didn't know how to use jumper cables and remember thinking, "How can you not know how to use jumper cables?"

Too bad they don't cross ONLY at the sign Tom Maughan, CC-BY, via Flickr

People use statues of deer to decorate their yard

There are places where people don't do this? This stereotype isn't true of everyone in Michigan, but there are people do decorate their yards with deer statues. The same holds true in Indiana. I was almost in a car accident because someone had their deer statue kind of close to the road and I thought it was a deer.



Everyone you know has hit at least two deer

Okay, this is an exaggeration, but there are a lot of deer here. I have never hit a deer, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is that fact that we had to watch THREE videos in driver's ed about deer. Also, I've heard stories about how people keep the deer they hit for meat. Why is this not considered eating road kill?

Michigan has some beautiful lighthouses. This one is located in St. Joe, MI, about 30 minutes north for us by Russell Sekeet, cc-by-sa, via Flickr

What's Soda?

You drink pop

We do drink pop. One of my friends went out to California and asked for a pop at a movie theater, and the girl was confused and told him they didn't serve popsicles. I don't know if it was just the girl or maybe people out west really don't know what we're talking about. I didn't know people called it soda until I went to an out-of-state middle school... so maybe 12 or 13.



I have heard that some regions of the country, people call it coke no matter what flavor it is. This idea baffles me. How do you ask for a Sprite?

"I would like a Sprite Coke, please."

or

"I would like a Coke." "What kind would you like?" "I'll have a Sprite."

Michigan has lots of highway, which means lots of construction Brian Wolfe, CC-BY, via Flickr

Did you know? Lake Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the world (3,288 miles total which includes 1,056 miles of island coastline.)

Michigan has two types of lighthouses: actual lighthouses and orange barrels

Haha, very funny! [sarcasm] I don't know why, but seemingly the roads are ALWAYS under construction. Perhaps it's because we have tar roads here (because of the salt trucks in the winter) and tar roads, well, get potholes all the time!



There is a joke that we have in the family about a specific junction off of Highway 94. The joke is something like, "You'll want to get off before the junction because it's under construction." This is because this particular section of the highway has been under constant construction since I can remember. However, that area gets hefty traffic, so they are probably continually having to do repairs.

You know you're from Michigan when you know how to say Mackinac (The Mackinac Bridge) Justin Billau, CC-BY, via Flickr

Owning a foreign car is a sin.

It's a mortal sin, too, because you knowingly committed it. Oh, the shame!



You dislike Ohio even if you don't care about football.

If you're from Michigan, the weather alters your DNA such that you have a permanent, inherent dislike for Ohio. You can't describe why, either. You just do.

Did you know? Michigan gained the Upper Peninsula during the Toledo War, a conflict over a thin strip of land (now home to the city of Toledo.) The territory of Michigan gave the land to Ohio in a deal with Congress in return for statehood and the Upper Peninsula. Interestingly, the Toledo War is cited as the origin of the animosity seen in the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio.

Your town has an equal number of bars and churches

There are a lot of bars and churches in my town. There are quite a few of drinking-related Michigan stereotypes, and I don't find these to be true. I'm guessing maybe people think that all Michiganders drink.



While it is cold here and going to a bar might be a fun indoor activity, not everyone here drinks. In fact, my family members may just have a drink around the holidays or special occasions. Some of my friends drink, and some don't. I think it's the same as anywhere.



What are some stereotypes you've heard about Michigan? Are you from Michigan? If so which of these stereotypes are true for you and which aren't?

Did you know? For swimmers, Lake Michigan is the most dangerous of the Great Lakes and is a contender for the deadliest body of water (by square mile) in the world.

It's the Wolverine State

You know Michigan is the Wolverine State even though there hasn't been a wolverine population in Michigan in over 200 years.

Sources

1. Lake Michigan the deadliest of the Great Lakes

2. World Book Encyclopedia (v.13, p.500 of the 2000 edition.)

© 2011 Melanie

Izzy on September 22, 2020:

Great article! I'm from Michigan, and I've noticed that we have some serious Michigan pride. I haven't met one person from Michigan who said they hated living in Michigan or would rather live in a different state. Sure, people will complain about the cold, but then it's like "Michigan for life!"

Jim Henderson from Hattiesburg, Mississippi on May 09, 2020:

I'm from Missouri and Mississippi so I guess if I move again, it will have to be another state that starts with 'M'. Michigan would be an awesome choice -I lived in Illinois once but don't hold that against me. I've NEVER lived in Ohio so I guess I would be welcome.

Enjoyed this. Informative and fun.

Marcy Bialeschki from Cerro Gordo, IL on May 08, 2020:

I can relate to so much of this. I am from Illinois, but my brother used to live in Michigan. He always said Illinois is a tropical island compared to Michigan. We vacation a lot in Wisconsin up by Lake Superior and we did Door County on Lake Michigan last year. Such beautiful country. And I am not from Michigan, but I have hit 2 deer. Great article.

X SI QUE Guau on May 07, 2020:

Awesome article, Melanie. I found your article to be both humorous and very informative too. I love Michigan.!

Lora Hollings on April 24, 2020:

Awesome article, Melanie. I found your article to be both humorous and very informative too. I love Michigan. Since I'm also a Midwesterner and grew up in Illinois, we often went to either Michigan or Wisconsin for vacations. I remember not only Lake Michigan but all the other beautiful lakes there, and of course, we only went there during the summers! I also use the word "pop" and you are so right. If you live outside the Midwest, no one has any idea of what you're talking about. When I went to school in Boston, everyone said soda. Michigan is also home to one of the finest arts schools in the country which is Interlochen. My sister when to music camp there and studied string bass with Thor Johnson. And the University of Michigan is one of the finest universities in the country. I have nothing but fond memories of this state and I would love to visit there again soon. Thank you for your very enjoyable article!

Tim Truzy from U.S.A. on April 24, 2020:

Excellent. I loved it. Michigan certainly has beautiful scenes, and I've read it's first in the country in the number of lighthouses. Isn't Detroit home to Motown? Certainly, there is musical talent around Michigan. I've visited Madison, Wis, and Green Bay in the winter - That's freezing. If Michigan is that cold, I'll visit in the summer only. In N.C., it's not uncommon for people to eat a deer they run into.

Thanks. Please, stay safe and I look forward to reading more of your articles.

Valerie on July 23, 2019:

A born and raised Michiganders lived here 42 yrs. Moved to LV and CA. Met my husband raised in Cali. OmG! When he comes to MI it is a hoit to listen to him pronounce cities and others. Example: Gratoit. He does not know how we get that when the last 4 letters are like Detroit... the the gas Sunoco he says Sun- a Co . When we were driving and he asked me about it i had no idea what he was talking about.

Drinking--- he's AA and trying to find a meeting can be tough. I told him we have lot of alcoholics but no one admits it..ya drinking and cards are definitely Mi.

When i get together with my Mi girlfriends, he has i difficult time understanding our lingo..

I now travel the country living in a RV. I look forward to the trips back to Mi each summer. Oh..we did spend on winter here in the RV. Wind chills 30 below and 3 snow falls of 10 in.. he loved it.

Only problem he was unaware of how quickly the skin can freeze.. i caught him going out with just a jacket. Especially after all the frost bite warnings on TV.

I did experience the soda and pop deer and headlights look in the west. Another is we refer to a couch. West is sofa.

I now have a Cali Mi accent. But the Mi is still predominant after being gone almost 30 years. Thanks for the fun.

Go Blue!!

Layla on July 20, 2019:

I'm from Michigan, but sadly my family moved when I was only 11, but yet so far, I can relate to some of this. I am and will always be a Michigander!

Jack Dumaw on March 12, 2019:

I’ve lived in Michigan all my life so far and I can relate to most of this stuff, lol.

Zara Rasul from Mumbai, India on July 23, 2018:

Nice! I have been there only once but can relate. Soda is called Pop all over the midwest thought!

Skylar on July 22, 2018:

I've lived in Michigan all my life and this stuff is pretty true. I mean, I don't hate Ohio, but every Thanksgiving we go to Wisconsin and get in fights over the Lions vs. The Packers with our relatives there. My family did own a foreign car at one point, but because my dad works for GM he couldn't drive it to work. We have to keep an eye on the way construction is moving at my house otherwise when it starts on our street we'll be caught off guard. When I was younger and I walked to school I'd usually have to be careful where I stepped. Sometimes there would be a lot of ice, other times the ice would all be melted and I'd get stuck in a pile of snow to avoid the puddles. I remember having a snowball fight with friends and right as one of them threw a chunk of snow at me I slipped and fell backwards. Winter in Michigan is a true struggle. What's even more of a struggle? Driving. The roads are terrible. The potholes never end. Every time I go to another state I always mention their roads being so perfect, even if they aren't. I guess I really am a Michigander. All of this stuff is normal to me.

Yves on May 09, 2018:

Hahaha! This article is so funny and interesting. I had no idea about any of this, except the coke thing. At the same time, each state seems to have its' idiosyncrasies, none of which make any sense to outsiders. But, that's what makes us unique and proud of our individual states. Have to say...I enjoyed this article immensely.Love the beautiful pics, too!

Carly TheBoss on May 07, 2018:

Im from Florida but I have a lot of friends from Michigan and they just hate Ohio so much I wasn't surprised as soon as I read this article I also started hating Ohio as soon as I met this girl from Ohio who was making fun of my friends and bragging about the freaking Buckeyes

Donovan Hodges on May 02, 2018:

Born and raised in Kalamazoo!!!

Everett Williams on April 18, 2018:

I grew up in Kalamazoo Michigan and lived there for twenty years, I then moved to Indiana for A few years before moving back to Kalamazoo Michigan. I have been A over the road truck driver and have been to all lower 48 states as well as Canada. I have yet to travel to Alaska and Hawaii but I would like to some day. I then moved from Kalamazoo to South Haven Michigan for twenty years until just last year when I moved to Saginaw Michigan. I would like to move to the UP but I yet have not won the lottery yet, lol. I did move to New Mexico for A while hauling crewd oil but came back to Michigan and when I got back the first thing I did was take A long walk in the woods, so after all my travels across the states there's no place like home, Michigan.

Sophie Kelly on November 27, 2017:

I'm not from Michigan but I've at least been there

I still hate Ohio though

Ben B on November 02, 2017:

The drinking one is kinda true over here. Then again I'm from Grand Rapids

Mike on October 26, 2017:

Partially true. Very funny though.

Elizabeth Fairweather from Michigan on October 11, 2017:

Love it! Especially the Ohio bit, it is soooo true! My dad says if Michigan is playing you root for them, if Michigan is not playing you root for State (reluctantly) but if ANYONE is playing Ohio you vote for the opponent, period! (Mid-Michigan girl here!)

Janet on May 15, 2017:

Born and raised in south east MI!

Love this article!

I just recently moved to Nevada and apparently I have an accent!!! I drive for Lyft and I'm always asked where I'm from and asked a lot of questions about MI, so I was glad to see that my answers matched up with what I read here and I was also correct when correcting something a passenger had to say about MI.

Gosh I'm really missing my home state now.

Bonnie Weaver on January 12, 2017:

Loved loved loved it. Lived here since '67 and it's all true but u forgot pen! An ink pen is called a pin. From Dowagiac!

Tori Leumas on July 05, 2015:

Cool hub!

Brian Leekley from Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA on May 29, 2015:

My wife and I have managed not to hit any deer, even when we lived in the U.P., but one time the car ahead of us did.

One time my wife had to wear her winter coat to the July 4 fireworks.

Is it true that snowplow blades in the U. P. are three stories high, that a Yooper plowbus is a cross between a school bus and a snowplow, that Yooper children must follow a rope hand over hand to get from home to the nearest plowbus stop through the perpetual blizzard, and that Yoopers put on their shorts and start barbecuing outdoors when the temperature gets up to 33F in April or May?

staceybubbles on November 18, 2014:

Tons of celebrities from my hometown of Battle Creek...tony the tiger, toucan sam, snap, crackle n pop. Ernie keebler moved there a few years ago.... =)

Juliane on September 09, 2014:

Loved this! My dad is from Michigan, and I lived there for a couple years when I was young. I now live in Mississippi, and I can vouch for calling all soda "Coke." When I was younger, I remember asking for a Coke, expecting the vendor to ask me what kind, and I was so disappointed when she gave me a Coke. I wanted a Sprite!

hcliii on September 09, 2014:

James Earl Jones is from Newaygo.

Bob Seger is from Ann Arbor.

Kid Rock, Eminem, Motown.

Lots of celebrities around.

Sam Deal from Earth on September 01, 2014:

I could really use some Michigan weather right now.

FictionFish on August 26, 2014:

I really enjoyed this hub. I was born in Watervliet, Mi and now live in Mobile, Al. Moved here in '99 and only once have I seen a bit of snow and ice here. I did hit my first and only deer while living here. Thanks for the reminders about where I came from.

shane o on June 11, 2014:

I'm from Michigan and all of this is true. I never thought i had an accent until I spent 6 months in California. I try to pronounce everything as correctly as I can but my Michigan accent slips out on occasion. I'm not a huge fan of euchre but I know how to play. That's almost a must. I've hit 7 deer in my own vehicles but have also been in others cars and hit at least 5 more. I loved showing people out West where I was from by pulling out my hand map. Michigan is truly a great state and when shit gets crazy like earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, or whatever Michigan will be the spot to be in.

John on May 28, 2014:

I am not from Michigan, but I met 4 celebrities after living there for only three years. There are a ton of famous people from Michigan, especially the Detroit area.

Melanie (author) from Midwest, USA on January 12, 2014:

I agree. I didn't know that burgers came with anything other than k,m,p,o on it. That's a completely foreign idea to me!

Karin Martinez on January 11, 2014:

I can't believe you missed a big one like this ....hamburger come with ketchup mustard pickle & onion standard. Everything butt means no onion. Everywhere else except MC Donald's serves them mayo lettuce & tomato. In Michigan if you want those toppings instead you have to order a deluxe and back when I was a kid that was 25 cents more. I miss being able to order my hamburgers without telling them to put only k,m,p,o on it. The way a burger was meant to be eaten.

Ralph Deeds from Birmingham, Michigan on November 23, 2013:

Ann Arbor http://www.businessinsider.com/happiest-and-health...

Haley on November 23, 2013:

I'm from Middleville, Michigan, and I must say most of these stereotypes are spot on except for the celebrity one. I met Kellin Quinn and Justin Hills from Sleeping With Sirens a few years back, and they're both from Michigan.

Megan on November 16, 2013:

This is a great hub! I am from the Marysville area, smack dab next to Port Huron and these are hilarious. I never even think twice about being across the lake from Sarnia, Ontario. Around here, having Canadians shopping everywhere is very commonplace as well as dual-citizenship and Canadian-American couples. Other places, it might seem different.

And it's very true that Euchre is a Michigan or northern state game. We used to visit Florida and rally with other schools. When we would suggest Euchre, the response usually was, "What the hell is Euchre?"

Aimee on November 13, 2013:

I live in Port Huron (pronounced here-on)

jmartin1344 from Royal Oak, Michigan on November 13, 2013:

Great hub melbel! I love in Royal Oak, and have been experiencing many of your weather related comments very recently! Also, as a person who has lived in many places and other countries, I LOVE your comment about international trips! Made me laugh.

Nice hub!

Alice Fournier from Amsterdam on November 13, 2013:

This is hilarious, I've actually met someone from Michigan that showed me where he lived on his hand... Great hub!

Tasha on November 12, 2013:

I would add that for many "southern" Michiganders, vacation simply meant going "up north,"

Daddy Paul from Michigan on November 12, 2013:

Ask a kid from Michigan if they want a soda and they will tell you they want chocolate. Pop is like coke.

Kim on November 12, 2013:

I used to love in Michigan and I can agree with most all of it. When I first moved there the map on the hand thing confused me especially when people expected me to understand what they ment. Patricia Palonco (not sure if I spelled that right) is a childrenss author who actually lives in the extremely small town I did, so the celebrity stereotype isn't exactly fitting for the whole state at least lol.

JC Heppler from USA on November 11, 2013:

This is a really cool hub. Thanks for the cool way you talked about Michigan. Voted up!

Matt on November 11, 2013:

We have two seasons: winter and construction.

Tabitha E Cleary from Montgomery, AL on November 10, 2013:

I laughed when reading this :D. My husband is from Flint, Michigan and I am from Alabama. And it's funny he has quoted almost all of these sayings before. And I must say that I enjoy playing Euchre ^_^. Thanks for sharing this.

Me on September 30, 2013:

A few minutes away from my uncles house in Troy there is a park with a rock wall in the front and the back is a trail, there a so many deer I got 2feet away from one and every where you turn there are deer.

I can vouch for the 'pop' one. I was visiting my cousins in NC when I asked the waitress what kind of pop there was and she looked at me strange.

I have never met a celebrity although I wish I have. Unless you count authors. I haven't.

Love my lakes. :)

Sagmi53 on August 31, 2013:

Michiganders all know what each other means when we say we are going "up north".

Joshua Dalrymple from Naples, Italy on July 25, 2013:

One of my favorites it, "You know you're from Michigan if your high school had snowmobile parking." Obviously not true, but still funny!

gsurvivor on July 25, 2013:

I have a friend from Michigan, I just have to show this to him! :D Loved the article, a vote up from here!

tastiger04 on July 24, 2013:

Interesting! I've never lived in Michigan, but I always enjoy these kinds of articles. Voted up and interesting :)

moonlake from America on July 24, 2013:

We just got back from Michigan. I love the state the people we ran into they are friendly and helpful. People who work in the stores not so friendly. We say pop here in northern Wisconsin. My daughter had to stop using the word when she moved to southern Wisconsin people made fun of her.

I think Michigan is the only state that has two parts split up can only get to the other side by a bridge that I won't cross if the wind is up. You can also get to the other side by boat.

Enjoyed your hub voted up.

VB News on July 15, 2013:

I have lived in a few different states and always wonder at the variables. Soda vs. Pop, Coffee Regular vs Black Coffee, Grinder vs Sub Sandwich...loads of fun seeing some in print with explanations :)

dreamseeker2 on July 14, 2013:

I too am from MI! : ) Yay, my home state...where I was born! I have been out in WA though since I was fifteen, when my folks moved us out here. I have also lived a short three years in CA, when I was a young girl. When we came out to the Pacific NW, it seemed the styles out here were behind the times...odd, eh? Being so close to CA. But, guess NY was closer to our trends in MI. We still call pop (soda) pop! My family does anyway. In regards to the weather, the odd thing is that I always thought MI had all four seasons. That's what I remember anyway. Also, it is the one state which has fast food restaurants like: Big Boys, and Robbies. It also sells 'Bun' candy bars. Maple and original. (I love those things!) We even ate pickled balony, which no one out here even heard of...lol! Thanks for sharing your hub. It made me miss my home state and recall some fond memories. : ) We came from the suburb of Grand Rapids, known as Wyoming. Go figure, eh? Voted this one up, of course!!

innershimmer7 from Illinois on July 13, 2013:

So funny and true! I am from Traverse City, Michigan. I miss it so much, its beautiful and yes the winters can be harsh and long, but I think our seasonal beauty is to die for!

FlourishAnyway from USA on July 12, 2013:

You nailed it! Great hub on Michigan. My dad is from there and moved away when he was 20 or so. They don't play euchre down south, but he's got the licence plate and is willing to teach anyone whether they want to learn or not. Sending this to him!

kamerongroup on July 11, 2013:

Great Hub! It's also funny how there are regional differences within the state. I grew up in Staten Island, N.Y. However during the summers and occasional winters (Boyne Mt. really?) we would spend time between White Cloud ("where the north begins, and the pure waters flow") and GR. And it seemed most of my relatives were either employed by Fisher Body (GM) or Steelcase (American Seating). So cars and office furniture were the topic of conversation. Along with my "New Yawk" accent. Kroger, Marathon, Faygo "red pop", and the best Salmon fishing in the Pere Marquette river. Yeah, it's "Pure Michigan."

nene on July 10, 2013:

Very funny and true. I have lived in Michigan my whole life. Talking with people from out-of-state have pointed out that Michiganders also measure driving distance by hours instead of actual mileage. I have to say I'm guilty of that one for sure! Good hub!

Ralph Deeds from Birmingham, Michigan on June 25, 2013:

And Rodriguez! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6bjqdll7DI

Tamara Barabasz from Durham, Nc on June 24, 2013:

Don't forget Aretha Franklin, jack white of white stripes, Eminem, and Tim Allen!

Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on June 10, 2013:

I was all over Michigan last month. Is it me or that Michigan has most interstates around Detroit area than any other state of the USA or province of Canada?

TotalChaos on June 09, 2013:

Lived in MI, about 20 minutes southwest from Detroit almost all my life. While working in Iowa for a year and a half, the ladies I worked with used to laugh at me because they said I sounded like I was from Canada, eh?

Have never hit a deer but know many people that have. Going on vacation "Up North" requires driving further north than Traverse City. (To me, anyway).

collegedad from The Upper Peninsula on May 13, 2013:

When I looked out my window and saw the fresh snow on the ground yesterday I was reminded of this hub. Only in the U.P. would it snow on mother's day.

Kate on May 13, 2013:

I am personally proud of my Michigan accent, my friend moved here from California and I asked her if I could buy her a pop and she was completely lost, so I had to quickly say soda and she finally understood.

John on March 09, 2013:

I met someone who moved from New York to Michigan. She thought we all bowled and ate Coneys.

Ron on January 16, 2013:

How have you never seen anyone use their hand to point to where they live?

Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on November 10, 2012:

Another Michigan stereotype - everybody works in auto industry there.

Nicoli Clause from United States of America on July 28, 2012:

I am surprised this is not on the list and no one has mentioned it: "You know your from Michigan when you have had a 'Pasty' and know how to say it" Especially those up in the UP. I loved the Mackinac one, so true.

Stephen Bush from Ohio on July 28, 2012:

I'm from Ohio and swear that I never make fun of Michigan. It helps that we lived in the Upper Peninsula for a while and loved it.

Peter V from At the Beach in Florida on July 25, 2012:

Ha! Great list. Although my family is from Michigan, I have only lived in Michigan for a year, but I already started pointing to a spot on my hand to indicate where I live. These were a lot of fun to read through. Voted up!

collegedad from The Upper Peninsula on July 25, 2012:

Ok I'm a Yooper and resemble most of those comments! I'm not offended. There true! And I've hit at least two deer. They went in the back of the truck and off to the freezer too. Saved money on ammo that year.

Did you mention rust? There is nothing more aggressive than a UP Irnon Moth! They'll eat a car in no time. The Trolls don't have near as much trouble with those as we do!

Carly Sullens from St. Louis, Missouri on July 25, 2012:

This is great! I used to live in Ann Arbor, and yes, I did show people where that was on my hand. This hub made me laugh. voted up and shared.

TripleAMom from Florida on July 25, 2012:

This is funny. I'm from Florida and I love how the map you have has Disney and Daytona. I live about 8 hours North of both in Pensacola (both are close together and the state is about 13 hours from tip to tip). Also, my mother still says she drinks "coke" for every drink. She hates even "soda" which I say, so "pop" is really foreign to her. Great hub. Voted up and sharing.

Deborah Brooks Langford from Brownsville,TX on July 25, 2012:

I am very southern.. I am from North Carolina. my grandfather called soda, pop.. the father est north I have been and lived in Champagne ILL.

we are weird in North Carolina..lol..In fact I lived near where Andy Griffith was from..like a couple of hours.. I was told that because I was a southern that I didn't like to wear shoes. well it is true. i hate shoes.. lol

this is a funny hub. voted up and sharing

Debbie

Curiad on July 25, 2012:

Funny and interesting melbel!

SteveMichiganMan on June 28, 2012:

There are many celebrities who were born and/or live in Michigan. Go on "Wikipedia" and bring up their "List of People from Michigan" and you'll know what I mean !!

Kla on April 16, 2012:

I grew up in sister lakes/dowagiac! I now live in Florida and I have people tell me I have an accent because I annunciate my a's such as "bad" they say "bahd" I say bad lol

Ray on April 15, 2012:

ROTFL..@ BROOK...I am an Eastsider, too...went to Ferris for college...so, when giving directions to WestSide friends...completely not thinking..I have: had them take Gratiot exit from 94..(to dump them on to Gratiot by Macomb Mall..kind of forgot to explain...2nd Gratiot exit..U DON'T WANT TO BE DROPPED ON GRATIOT IN D'TOWN..)...still famous for giving husband his turn by turn directions using "MILE RD.'S...WHEN...THAT PARTICULAR ROAD IS NEVER CALLED BY ITS "MILE RD. NAME"...So he either misses his turn..(but I always know a seco...or he just barely makes it if I can catch it..).. rd. examples...15 mile, 16 mile..HA..This road has like 4/5 names..Metro Pkwy, Big Beaver, Quartos..n I'm missing one...AND THEN...(CAUSE MY FAMILY LIVES NEAR LAKESIDE...we get to M-59...and I call it Hall!!!!

Ralph Deeds from Birmingham, Michigan on April 15, 2012:

The Lake Michigan shore from the Sleeping Bear dunes for miles to the south is one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world.

miaella on April 15, 2012:

Born a Yooper, always a Yooper, Dem Trolls do forget we exist, but that's ok, usually....But I trully do understand the language, accent wha ya talking abou....Nomallcy, madder of opinion.....just saying....Say Ya to Da U.P., eh.......

AKqueencrab from Juneau, Alaska, USA on April 14, 2012:

Love it! I've never been to Michigan but I have relatives there. Some of these stereotypes sound like the ones we have in Alaska.

rie on April 14, 2012:

another thing we have is "doorwalls". my girlfriend moved to AZ and her son in law thought she was making it up. I always forget I can't get Vernors or Fago elswhere as well. People outside of Michigan don't know the difference between Vernors and Ginger Ale.......... they taste totally different. Love having a built in map and I do measure distance by minutes/hours. E-way and the letter/number combos are all we use and I am great at Michigan lefts! Other states have legal Uies (you ees) we have Michigan lefts. great article

Keith Matyi from Denton, TX on April 14, 2012:

Nice job! I am originally from Toledo and spent much time in Michigan. Beautiful state. Keep writing these good articles!

irishpixiegurl13 from Racine, WI on April 13, 2012:

I only visit relatives in Michigan for the summer but its still more home to me than Wisconsin will ever be. I call my soda POP and people look at me like im nuts lol they just jealous. thnx for posting this very fun to read.

silver97rwa on April 13, 2012:

Ahhh...I was born and raised in MI, but had to move about 3 years ago for a job (gotta find one where you can right?) So I'm stuck in TX for now. I loved reading these...brings back SO many memories!! I'm originally from South Haven, so the "FIPs" had me totally laughing. I spent a lot of time in Silver Lake as well, and we often used "touron" (combination of "tourist" and "moron") as well. And...I seriously miss Euchre!! NO ONE in TX has any idea what I'm talking about...and it is RIDICUOUSLY difficult to watch a Red Wings game - I even tried to bribe my satellite company to give me FSD...no go :-(

Maggie on April 13, 2012:

I live in Michigan and I believe we only have three seasons winter, summer, and construction.

Jenoside on April 13, 2012:

A friend of mine is from Alabama and in her state, she would ask for a coke and they would ask her what kind, so your second option there is what happens.

Also, it's TOTALLY soda. Well, I live in Florida and it's soda here. But I'm a born Ohioan (Toledo, so practically Michigan) and I have a really hard time calling it pop when I'm up there. Everyone knows I'm not from there.

Nicole on April 12, 2012:

I grew up in St. Ignace in the UP. When I first joined the military I went to tech school in Mississippi and was asked repeatedly if I was from Canada.

Then my first station was in Ohio and I bought my first car (foreign :/) and had to stop and ask where the Secretary of State was at. I got the weirdest look. I said you know where you get your license plates from. He said "oh the DMV?" Um ok lol. It was an eye opener joining the military.

One I don't know what everyone else may call it in Michigan but my family always called 40 oz beer, "jumbos". So when I was in Ohio my friend and I were at the class six (alcohol store on base) and he was like "can you get me a couple of 40's?" and I didn't know what he was talking about an he showed me and I said "Oh a jumbo" and again with the crazy look haha. I miss the lakes though. I'm in Colorado now and the first "lake" I saw here, I could see the other side and walk around it in 30 minutes....not a lake in my book haha.

Surprisingly my first supervisor in the military was from Houghton Lake and my most recent last supervisor was from the Soo lol. Good list, BTW Everyone uses there hand as a map when there from Michigan and whoever said people drink the most in Nebraska and Michigan isn't even in the top ten has clearly never been to St. Ignace because almost everyone is a drunk there.

Ann on April 12, 2012:

When I went to college (Albion) I was told I had an Allegan Co. accent! This individual knew 3 or 4 of us from Allegan, and thought we all talked the same. I'd never have guessed! And yes, we live right down the road from Mar'in, with that glottal stop...

jawmail3000 on April 12, 2012:

My Ny husband to Mio and he was just getting used to M15, M13, he thought it was M10.

TotalChaos on April 12, 2012:

My mom was from Escanaba, and she said that they were called "Nothern Hilllbillies". And you snicker when the exit off of 1-75 is #69 or better known as "Big Beaver".

Perfect storys from everyone else here too!

WD Curry 111 from Space Coast on April 12, 2012:

I thought about this hub while at a town council meeting in Sebastian, Florida. I belong to a grassroots conservation movement in Florida. We are trying to get cities, county and state to cut way back on the amounts of insecticides and fertilizers that are being poured into our aquifer and estuary system. All the factors lined up to give us a catastrophic algae bloom that seriously damaged the sea grasses.

We held up Michigan as a state that is taking the lead. So. I guess you can tell when someone is from Michigan, if they love their water pure.

djmrmoe on April 12, 2012:

just wanted to say WHAT UP DOE! now that all DETROIT.

Andi on April 12, 2012:

Hey, I have used the hand thing for directions often as do many of my friends.

Tanya on April 12, 2012:

Also, Tim Allen and I believe Kid Rock have summer homes up by Charlevoix! :)

Tanya on April 12, 2012:

I like your posts! Keep up the good work! :) I'm cracking up because I am from MI, but I've been living out of state (in the SOUTH where I'm called a Yankee!) for almost 6 years now. MI will always be my home, so I love reading about it. :)

jntadt22 on April 12, 2012:

I'm from Port Huron originally and have since moved to Fort Wayne, IN. So much of this is true. I take so much crap from my wife because of so many of these nuances.

When someone down here asks me where I'm from, and I tell them about an hour north of Detroit, they then ask me where that's at, my hand goes up and my wife just rolls her eyes and starts laughing at me.

When we go up to visit or vacation, she gets so ticked off at the "Michigan Lefts".

I say cut the grass, she says mow the lawn. I didn't think this one was an issue, but whenever I say cut the grass, she hands me scissors?!? Maybe that's just her though!

And one last one for the road, I've personally never hit a deer, although I've had numerous close calls. The one time I was a passenger, and the driver hit the deer was very memorable. He is deaf, so we were driving east on I-69 and I saw about 5 deer in the median and yell out "Deer!", but he didn't hear me and still plowed them. If that wasn't funny enough, the next two cars behind us, hit two other deer. But in true Michigan fashion, the middle car, wanted all three dead deer for his freezer!!

Ahhhhh, I miss Michigan!

Guest on April 12, 2012:

I can't believe you forget this one: Michiganders use time for measuring distance, so where a southerner might say "20 mile North on 75," we say "30 minutes North."

Mandi on April 12, 2012:

I grew up about 45 minutes north of Port Huron, took the tunnel to Windsor several times, have hit 2 deer and had several close calls, and my father ALWAYS took Nov 15th off work to fill our freezer! But you forgot one thing! The state flower is the pervasive 'Orange Barrel', a very hardy variety that grows all along asphalt and thrives on exhaust fumes!

Rissa on April 12, 2012:

Michigan only has 2 seasons, Winter and Contruction!

Kristi Gabriel from Chesapeake, Virginia on April 12, 2012:

Don't forget Jeff Daniels in Chelsea...:)

I never really used my hand because you don't HAVE to show people in MI. Even when I moved to Virginia Beach I didn't have to bc there are so many Navy people who are familiar, or bc so many of them are from MI.

Always watched the kids at school play euchre, never played it, myself.

I do remember that beautiful melancholy feel at the end of summer. In VA it drags out into a warm autumn, so it's not as potent. Still beautiful, though.

/sigh...I miss home.

Marianne on April 12, 2012:

Omg I'm from Detroit and there are a lot of deer in Michigan. Usually we go to see deer at Belle Isle but I guess there are so many of them that I've seen one on the west side by Rouge Park.

I also keep a blanket, socks, and a hoodie in my car just in case.