11 Quick And Easy Ways To Get On A Michigander's Nerves

We Michiganders are a pretty easygoing bunch. After all, we live among some of the most fantastic scenery and natural splendor imaginable, so it’s fairly tough to irritate us. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though! We’re here to fill you in on 11 ways to drive a Michigander mad.

Flickr/yooperann

We know we aren’t the only state to receive copious amounts of snow. But we do deal with our fair share of lake effect snow each year, and snow days are a rare occurrence here in the Great Lakes State. There’s nothing more annoying than listening to an out-of-state pal complain about receiving one or two inches of light snow.

Flickr/Phera Laster

We’ve said it before, and we’ll certainly say it again: our favorite soft drinks are always referred to as "pop." Sure, we’ll understand what you’re saying if you waltz in to a Michigan restaurant and order a "soda" or "Coke," but we can’t promise that it won’t drive us a little crazy.

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Flickr/Mike Fritcher

For Michiganders, Vernors is the ultimate healing elixir. This is anything but your ordinary ginger ale brand; it’s actually the ultimate remedy when an upset stomach strikes. Nothing frustrates a nauseated Michigander more than realizing that the store has run out of Vernors!

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Flickr/Jeff Dunn

Okay, we’ll give you a pass when you first arrive in the state. We recognize that "Mackinac" is a bit confusing for those who aren’t quite sure how to pronounce it. Once you’ve been corrected, though, we’ll be slightly less patient with mispronunciations. If you call it "Mackinack" over and over, you’ll find yourself dealing with some very irritated Michiganders.

Flickr/OHfalcon72

No matter which university we root for, there’s one thing every Michigander has in common: a deep-rooted disdain for Ohio State. Whether we’re Spartans or Wolverines, we recoil in disgust when we see a bright red jersey or sweatshirt from OSU in our presence. Ohio is simply the worst!

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Flickr/Stuart Rankin

This might come as a surprise, but a few other states have actually attempted to claim the title of "the Mitten State" in years past. We’re looking at you, Wisconsin! In our minds, there’s really no competition for this coveted moniker. Michigan is, without question, truly shaped like a mitten - and any argument to the contrary might just send us into an angry frenzy.

Flickr/Tom Gill

Here in Michigan, our Great Lakes are our most beloved pride and joy. We’re proud beach bums in the summer, and there’s something undeniably magical about living so close to these freshwater giants. When a non-Michigander decides to argue that the Great Lakes are nothing compared to oceans, we can’t help but boil over with frustration at their incorrect belief.

Flickr/Eugene Kim

Michigan is the proud home of coney dogs, and we can easily down three or four of these tasty dogs in one sitting. While we accept that everyone has different taste and flavor preferences, there’s one rule we always abide by: ketchup simply doesn’t belong on a coney dog. You might get a few strange looks from lifelong Michiganders if we see you topping your dog with red sauce.

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Flickr/formulanone

Pure Michigan ads are the easiest route to our Great Lakes State-obsessed hearts. It might sound corny, but we often find ourselves blinking back tears of pride when our state’s accomplishments and attractions are touted via radio or television ads from the Pure Michigan campaign. If you immediately turn down the volume, you’ll be met with fervent disappointment.

Flickr/larrysphatpage

Michigan left turns really aren’t so complicated. We promise! When the coast is clear, please proceed and make the necessary turn so the line of cars behind you can follow suit. There’s no quicker way to frustrate a Michigan driver than by misunderstanding the rules of making a Michigan left.

Flickr/noaa_glerl

Believe it or not, many Americans incorrectly assume that Michigan is nothing but an abundance of cornfields and bland subdivisions. Sure, we’ve got our fair share of stereotypical Midwestern landscapes, but our state is also home to some of the most gorgeous scenery imaginable. From Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan is stunning - and any suggestion to the contrary will send us into an angry rant.

Did we leave anything off our list? Tell us, fellow Michiganders: what are some quick and easy ways to get on your nerves? We’re always eager to hear from you, so share your thoughts in the comments below!