9 Weird Side Effects Everyone Experiences From Growing Up In Cincinnati
No matter where you grow up, your hometown is a big part of who you are and who you become. Cincinnati is definitely the type of town that tends to stick with you, whether you like it or not. And it’s not just about the Skyline cravings and losing (yet, much loved) sports teams. If you grew up in the Queen City, there’s a piece of your heart that will always be there and you also very likely suffer from these 9 weird side effects that every born and raised Cincinnatian experiences.
1. You prefer your chili with spaghetti and your spaghetti with chili.
And don't forget the mound of shredded cheddar cheese! Or the cheese coneys. Or the crackers. Cincinnati-style chili is in our blood from the moment we can chew (if you have Cincinnati-loving parents) and we continue to crave it well into adulthood.
2. You identify strongly with one of these words: east or west.
If someone asks you where you grew up, your answer will likely be either "The east side of Cincinnati" or "the west side of Cincinnati." Sure, there are other parts of town, but most native Cincinnatians identify with one side or the other... and have some pretty strong feelings to go along with it.
Whether it's the Reds, Bengals, or both, you have stuck by your Cincinnati teams. Although it occasionally feels hopeless, we remain faithful that our teams will pull out a championship... someday.
4. Walking into Kings Island brings up all sorts of nostalgia.
The photo above shows Kings Island around the time it opened in 1972. You may remember it looking like this, or maybe you fondly remember Hanna-Barbera Land or being doused in slime when there was a Nickelodeon theme. Returning to this park now probably reminds you of those nostalgic times.
Let me explain: Cincinnati is a beer town and brewing is an important part of our history and remains a large part of our present. Even if you don't like it (although you probably do), you gain an appreciation for its contribution to our legacy and economy.
Big, small, downtown, neighborhood... Cincinnati plays host to countless festivals and we start attending them at a young age. Especially during the summer, you can find us enjoying any one of the local festivities taking place on the weekends.
7. You're extremely picky when it comes to ice cream.
Not only is Cincinnati home to the best ice cream makers in the world (ahem, Graeter's and UDF), we also have a fondness for soft serve and have countless whippy dips to choose from. We love ice cream, and we happen to have the best options ever.
Chances are that if you grew up in Cincinnati, you know someone who (or are related to) someone who works for Procter & Gamble. Or maybe you work there yourself! The Cincinnati ties to P&G are strong, and so is the brand loyalty.
Even if you grew up with the toughest of parents, you were pretty lucky to grow up in Cincinnati. If you step back and recognize all our city offers - incredible museums, performances, professional sports, great schools, safe neighborhoods, and friendly people (not to mention the stunning skyline) - you'll realize just how spoiled you are to have grown up in such a great city.
Whether you moved away long ago or have always called Cincinnati home, you’ll always have a part of our city with you in the form of these weird side effects. Did you grow up in Cincinnati and do you “suffer” from these traits? Are there any other Queen City traits that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
And for more Cincinnati love, check out our previous article here.
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A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
