Lazy Summation of 'midwestern' stereotypes or
Just good ole’ fun???
Saw this list of called "30 Things Ohians Love." on someone's face book page last week. It's a list that a New Yorker made on his thoughts of Ohio living. I'm always up for a good laugh, and immediately
clicked on this link to see if I could relate. I shared it on my face book
page and got a friends opinion of what she thought of the list. She feels like it is just a "lazy summation of 'midwestern' stereotypes." I personallyfeel that this list was fun and on target.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/melmatzzz/30-things-ohioans-love-c8r4,
Now of course, I can't relate to all 30, but, I sure did get a good laugh out of quite a few of them. Here is my little commentary of what other’s may feel is a “Lazy
Summation of Midwestern stereotypes…”
1.
Ohio State football
You
are either a Buckeye or a Wolverine. Most likely you are a Buckeye!! I was once
a Wolverine but due to marrying a Buckeye, I really had no choice but to
convert!! We actually had to plan our
wedding date around OSU football. Saturday afternoons are fun filled days full
of football, family, and food!! Go Buckeyes!!
2.
Being a swing state
Always holding my breath hoping “my state” swings my way!
3.
Ranch dressing
who
doesn’t like ranch??
4.
Hating Lebron
Geeshh, I came back
to Toledo shortly before this all went down. At first I was a little confused
about it all but. I’m not into sports so I can’t remember but weren’t there
some riots at games or some safety issues?? People still get worked up over
LeBron!!
5.
Mountain Dew
Can’t
really agree that this is an Ohio thing – although I see lots of people
drinking it… If it still tastes like it did when I tried it in elementary
school then ick, you can keep it…
6.
Referring to random parts of random towns and cities as “downtown”
Another
one I don’t get… I’m fully aware of where our downtown area is, although I
can’t get around it unless I have a GPS!! Although I’m slowly getting familiar
with the streets and landmarks.
7.
Sperrys
I
had to text a friend who lives in Delaware and ask if Sperry’s were as popular
out East as they are in Ohio. And yes, they are popular everywhere. I remember
wearing these ridiculously expensive shoes in 3rd or 4th grade, and then again in high school. I
guess the boat shoes are making a comeback… Or maybe they never left??
8.
Donatos
Never
heard of it but daaaannnggg… It looks too good.
9.
American-made cars
I’m
a Toyota girl. When I first moved here someone made a very personal comment
about how “it’s just not right to drive a foreign car.” We live near the local UAW
hall, and it is made very clear that foreign cars are not permitted in their
parking lot. Huge signs posted saying “STOP DO NOT ENTER” to foreign cars. Even
my own husband can’t drive my car to work or to his union hall. Ohians are
definitely loyal to their automakers (which is the way it really should be,
keep jobs in America).
10.
Defending the Cleveland Browns
Can’t
relate to this one – I’m just not into sports enough to have an opinion… Why
wouldn’t you support your state’s professional team (even if they are
horrible!)?? It makes sense to me.
11.
Chinese buffets
There
does seem to be a lot of Chinese buffets in our town… But, who doesn’t love to
stuff yourself silly, and roll yourself out of a restaurant from eating too
much good food?? I haven’t been to one since living in Ohio, maybe I should
make a point. But how would one chose the best one, there are just so many!
12.
Dating their high school sweetheart far into college… or, eventually, just
marrying them.
I’m
pretty sure this happens all over the country… lol.
13.
Cedar Point
If
only I had the stomach of a 20 year old. Looking forward to when Alex is old
enough to go to Cedar Point. Best roller
coasters ever!!! So much fun!
14.
Referring to soda strictly as “pop”
Four
years being back in Ohio, and I still say “soda.” Pop, soda, cola, coke… Whatever!!
Personally, I think of a Grandfather when I hear “pop.”
15.
Most restaurant chains (namely: Panera, Olive Garden, Chipotle, and Outback. I
could go on.)
I have to
agree with this 100%. With all of the local restaurants (and Toledo has a crap load
of non chain restaurants) it seems like we always end up at a chain
restaurant!! And I completely agree with the list above. I know I am one to
compare my 2 home states but really, the only time I went to a chain restaurant
in Delaware was if I was on a timed lunch break, or was meeting someone out.
“Let’s go to Olive Garden” (said no one ever). Now don’t get me wrong, everyone
loves panera every once in but if I want a more authentic deli sandwich I want something
non-chain and local (i.e Barry Bagels).
Chain
restaurants are probably very popular in the Midwest for a few reasons. #1 they
are typically family friendly, #2 service is typically fast #3 If you want to
stay on a budget you have a variety of choices under $10. Plus, unless you want
to spend an arm and a leg, there are no other reasonably priced Italian
restaurants in our area – and definitely not one that I want to spend $12 for a
kids spaghetti!!
16.
Their high school
This
isn’t always a bad thing.. I think it’s awesome how our local news devotes an entire segment of Friday Night High School Football. It is a big deal out here.
People love high school football!!! And least we are seeing some positive things happen in our community!!
17.
Wearing athletic clothing while having no intention of working out
Honestly,
I wasn’t even aware of the pure joy of yoga pants until I returned to Ohio!!
Yoga pants are pretty much all I wear. I have possibly 6-8 pairs, different
styles and colors. I wear them every day after work (unless it’s too hot and
then I change into athletic shorts). I can coordinate the pants for the
activity. I have my nicer ones with pockets which is great to go to my kid’s
soccer classes, I have my faded & older ones that are strictly for
housework/yardwork. I have no intention of working out but I sure look like I’m
about to go to the gym!!
18.
Chicken bacon ranch pizza and sandwiches
(Note: I realize that both pizza and
ranch have already been listed but, believe me, these particular items needed
another reference.)
Best
believe that whenever we get a specialty pizza or sub, it’s going to be a
chicken bacon ranch one!! Vito’s roll over pizza or subs are the bomb!!!
19. Drive-thrus in general
No
doubt about that…. Look at the stats, Ohio is in the Top 10 Fattest States
(tied with Arkansas).
20.
Saying “you’re fine” instead of “no problem” or “no worries”
Don’t
get it at all…
21.
Skyline Chili
Can’t
wait for the day I can try this!!!!!
22.
Cornhole
(Note: Yes, that is Paul Ryan
playing cornhole. You’re welcome.)
Never
heard of this very competitive game until I moved here!! When I was dating my
husband he had to explain it to me and I was confused until I really saw what
it in person!! He used to play a lot – even built his own corn hole boards… It’s
a big deal out here.
23.
Claiming to live in a city but really living in a suburb
People
are always saying I live in the city but, it’s really not that urban… I live
within the city limits but it’s definitely not like living in the city…
24.
“The range”
Can’t
relate… Don’t know much about this..
25.
Referring to sneakers strictly as “tennis shoes” or “tennys”
As
my son would say… “YEUP…”
26.
Graeter’s ice cream
Never
heard of it… Can’t eat ice cream so wouldn’t know anything about it…
27.
Going to the beach aka Lake Erie
A
co-worker said they went to the beach earlier this summer. I was so excited,
and then quickly disappointed that it was Lake Erie… Didn’t they just recently
put another swimming ban on a popular “beach” out here that is infested with some bacterial or fungal issue???
28.
Referring to vacuums as “sweepers”
Our
85+ year old neighbor just informed me that she was running the “sweeper” before we stopped by for our daily visit.
29.
Wendy’s
Here
goes another "YEUP!!" Seems like every mile there is a Wendy’s – ok maybe every 2-3
miles…
30.
Being “the birthplace of aviation”
Blah
blah blah….. When I think of Kitty Hawk, I think of running down sand dunes
hoping not to face plant, not the birthplace of aviation…
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