10 Telltale Signs You're Not A True Illinoisan
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
There’s just something about out-of-staters that makes them stick out like sore thumbs. Maybe it’s a smell, or maybe it’s one of these 10 tell-tale signs. We can always tell whether or not someone is a true Illinoisan. Keep scrolling to see how.
In Illinois, we know that sound could mean just about anything. In some small towns, they run them at noon to signal the time. Anyone who looks to the sky and acts confused is obviously not from around here.
A true Illinoisan is used to this stuff, but if you're from out of state, it might seem like magic how fast it grows and how tall it gets. We're proud of our farmland, but seas of corn can get boring.
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While there are many Illinoisans who may root for teams like the Bears, those who really pay attention to sports know better. Our teams don't actually do that great, so we're more likely to be fans of the teams in neighboring states.
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In Illinois, you can say pop or soda, and there's even some argument that it should be one or the other depending on where you live. Soft drink is probably a happy medium, but coke doesn't make sense unless that's what you actually want.
Those of us who have lived here a long time know better than to assume that just because it is spring that the weather will be nice. You may want to break out that flower dress or those shorty shorts, but everyone will know that you're probably from a warmer state.
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In Illinois, trains are part of everyday life. Whether you use one for travel or have to wait for them at road crossings, you're used to these modes of transport. Most Illinoisans love them.
Anyone who has spent a good amount of time in actual Illinois (not just Chicago) knows the state is full of natural wonders and hidden treasures most do not know about. From the Shawnee National Forest to Starved Rock, waterfalls, valleys, and caves abound.
We don't understand miles in terms of distance. Illinoisans give directions in minutes. You go about five minutes down the road to the stop sign and turn left. What you're looking for is about ten minutes up the road from there. That makes sense, right?
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A true Illinoisan knows that it is not safe to drive with snow still piled on your car. It blows off and makes it hard for the person behind to see. It's obvious someone wasn't properly prepared when the windshield is covered except for a small spot for the driver to (kind of) see.
The easiest way to tell that someone is not really from Illinois is in the way they talk. This is true of many places, but especially here as our accent is very plain.
At the same time, there are many ways to spot someone who actually is from Illinois. Check out nine things Illinoisans do that seem insane to everyone else.
What other signs are a dead giveaway that someone is not a true Illinoisan? Share your thoughts with us!
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