Each and every Michigander is different. We all maintain our own beliefs, ideas, and habits that may be considered weird things people from Michigan do — but there are a few traits that seem relatively universal among residents of the Great Lakes State. Here are 11 undeniable unwritten rules that Michiganders abide by.

1. Never trust an Ohioan.
Flickr/Slippy Slappy
Every Michigander knows that Ohio is simply the worst state ever. I mean, we can barely stomach the bright red of Ohio State’s logo, so how can we be expected to keep our cool when chatting with someone from Ohio? Sure, this rivalry is all in good fun, but it’s an integral part of being a Michigander.
2. It’s called "pop." Period.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
If you live here in the Great Lakes State and you’re craving a fizzy beverage, you should always order pop. Not "soda," "Coke," or anything in between — just pop! Any other word choice will get you plenty of strange looks from fellow diners.
3. Great Lakes should always be chosen over oceans.
Flickr/DebMomOf3
Michiganders know that beaches are better when they’re unsalted, and nothing beats the stunning beauty of our Great Lakes. Oceans have plenty of perks, but the Great Lakes are beautiful, refreshing, and completely free of sharks. What’s not to love?
4. When a Pure Michigan ad comes on, stop talking and listen.
Flickr/PunkToad
Nothing chokes up a Michigander quite like the soothing tones of a Pure Michigan ad. Whether you’re listening on the radio or tuning in on the TV, it’s an absolute unwritten rule that you stop chatting and bask in the beauty of our state’s most celebratory ads.
5. Continue rooting for the Lions, no matter how hopeless it feels.
Flickr/dgphilli
We just can’t quit the Lions. No matter how many times Detroit’s NFL team lets us down, we Michiganders continue to attend their games, spend our Sundays watching them play, and hope that "this is the year."

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6. If someone asks where you’re from, show them on your hand.
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League
What’s a map? People from Michigan might as well be required by law to point out our hometowns on their hands — that’s how often it’s done in the Great Lakes State! Then again, why shouldn’t we? With built-in maps right on our bodies, this one is a no-brainer.
7. When you’re feeling sick, reach for the Vernors first.
Flickr/Derek Bruff
When a Michigander has a stomachache, the cure is obvious: grab a bottle of Vernors and take a few sips. This tasty ginger ale seems to cure maladies of all sorts, and it’s impossible to switch back to "real" medicine once Vernors has been added to the realm of possibilities!
8. There’s no such thing as "too much beach time."
Flickr/Maggie Not Margaret
Our beaches are magnificent, and we could easily spend all day lounging along the waterfront. When summertime rolls around, there are few places a Michigander would rather be than the beach — and don’t ever try to tell us that we’ve overstayed our welcome!
9. Regardless of whether it’s necessary, add an "s" to the end of store names.
Flickr/Oleg Brook
Meijer’s. Kroger’s. The list continues. Whether or not it’s grammatically correct, many Michiganders have the habit of adding a possessive "s" to the end of various business’ names. When you live in Michigan, it’s just something you do!
10. Never depend on the accuracy of a Michigan weather report.
Flickr/Tom Gill
90 degrees at the end of September, snow in May, balmy weather in the midst of January followed by six inches of snow. Here in Michigan, Mother Nature seems to be unpredictable, and that means it’s unwise to completely trust a forecast. When you live in the Great Lakes State, you learn to dress in layers!
11. When the going gets tough, the tough head up north.
Flickr/Sailing Nomad
When life gets stressful, few experiences are more relaxing for a Michigan resident than journeying up north. Of course, "up north" takes on a different meaning for each and every Michigander, but everybody’s "up north" has a few of the same traits: relaxation, natural beauty, and plenty of family togetherness. What’s not to love?

Are there any other unwritten Michigan rules that should have been included on our list? If you’re from Michigan, you can probably relate to this. You might also have a lot of state pride – and if not, let’s remedy that with a list of why Michigan is the best.

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Weird Things People From Michigan Do

Leah | March 14, 2021

What stereotypes are there about Michigan?

Other than some Michigan mannerisms, there are some other stereotypes about the state - some true, some a bit far-fetched. Out-of-staters may think everyone from Michigan is automatically from Detroit, but that's far from true. It may be the biggest city, but there are plenty of other cities, towns, and rural areas throughout the state. Michigan is known for its fierce sports rivalry with Ohio State - that one we can admit is pretty true. Some people think the state is cold year-round and practically in the North Pole, and while it can get quite cold and snowy, there are beautiful warm summers in Michigan as well.

What are the weirdest things about living in Michigan?

If you plan on living in Michigan, here are some things you might need to expect. First, be sure you get the Michigan hand thing down: know where to point on your hand to indicate where in the state you live, even if you find that a little weird. Next, if you come from a place where they call fizzy drinks soda, drop that immediately and adopt the word pop. This is a pop state, through and through. Many native Michiganders will deny it, but you might hear a bit of an accent in their speech. Don't be surprised if you hear the phrases "Yooper" or "Trolls" when a Michigander referring to someone. Weird as they may sound, they just mean people from the Upper Peninsula or Lower Peninsula, respectively.

What are the best parts about living in Michigan?

Living here gives the residents a lot of reason to have Michigan pride. If you enjoy sports, you'll love going to any sort of game in Michigan. The state has many iconic places to visit - the Motor City, Mackinac Island, and more, that attract thousands of tourists every year for various reasons, from music history to fudge. There are beautiful beaches with fresh water for all the fun and none of the stingy salt. Speaking of nature, you'll find gorgeous scenery throughout the state, in the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The people in Michigan are pretty nice, to top it all off!

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