Whether you realize it or not, time spent in Wisconsin is sure to have some lasting effects. It’s true. Both lifelong and long-term residents of the Badger State are bound to pick up a few idiosyncrasies. Not so sure? Read on for 10 habits you’ve likely already picked up.
- The expression up north takes on a whole new meaning.
Anthony/Flickr Not so much a geography term, up north is more of a state of mind. This notion is only further confirmed by the fact that no one can seem to agree on where exactly up north begins. Some say it’s any region north of their current location, while others say it’s where cell phone service ends.
- You use time to measure distance.
google.com Forget miles. In the Badger State, we like to keep things straight and to the point. How far is Madison from Kenosha, you ask? It’s about two hours.
- Tailgating becomes a beloved pastime.
stnorbert/Flickr Regardless of what sport you’re a fan of, tailgating is bound to come into play at some point. And that’s quite alright because, honestly, what better way is there to celebrate an upcoming game?!
- Summer is synonymous with festivals.
Kim Schroeder/Google Though this year may be a bit different, a typical Wisconsin summer is often filled with festivals. Seriously, you could probably spend every summer weekend at a different festival. And with everything from Irish Fest to Cranfest, the variety is just as impressive as the quantity.
- You learn to speak Wisconsinite.
Photos by Clark/Flickr After living in Wisconsin for an extended period of time, you pick up a few things, including the use of specific terms and phrases. For example, referring to a traffic light as a stop and go light, or quenching your thirst at the bubbler.
- Beer becomes a must-have ingredient.
Josh Sullivan/Flickr Out-of-towners may be surprised to find out that we Wisconsinites not only love to drink beer, but we like to cook with it, too! From beer-soaked brats to beer cheese dip, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dish that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of brewski.
- An addiction to cheese is inevitable.
llahbocaj/Flickr If ever there were a stereotype that was true, it’s that we Wisconsinites love our cheese. And who can blame us? This is the Dairy State, after all, which means we’re afforded the freshest of the fresh.
- On Fridays…you eat fish.
beautifulcataya/Flickr Here in Wisconsin, the lakes, and the fish, are plentiful. And with an abundance of fish, there’s only one thing to do: make weekly fish fries a tradition. In some places, Friday night fish specials are commonplace during the Lenten season but not the rest of the year. Luckily, we do things our own way in Wisconsin, and Friday night fish fries can be enjoyed year-round.
- You put the pro in pronunciation.
Royalbroil/Wikimedia Lots of cities and towns in Wisconsin have names with Native American roots. For example, there’s Oconomowoc, Weyauwega, and Wauwatosa. However, once you’ve lived in the state for an extended period of time, getting your tongue around the monikers is a breeze.
- You think this is cold? is a phrase you’ll mutter often.
Province of British Columbia/Flickr What the rest of the world thinks is cold, we Wisconsinites laugh at. Frigid temps don’t scare us. In fact, they provide the perfect opportunity for winter-related fun. Or to binge-watch Netflix while sipping on an Old Fashioned.
So, how many of these habits have you already picked up? What others would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section.
Anthony/Flickr
Not so much a geography term, up north is more of a state of mind. This notion is only further confirmed by the fact that no one can seem to agree on where exactly up north begins. Some say it’s any region north of their current location, while others say it’s where cell phone service ends.
google.com
Forget miles. In the Badger State, we like to keep things straight and to the point. How far is Madison from Kenosha, you ask? It’s about two hours.
stnorbert/Flickr
Regardless of what sport you’re a fan of, tailgating is bound to come into play at some point. And that’s quite alright because, honestly, what better way is there to celebrate an upcoming game?!
Kim Schroeder/Google
Though this year may be a bit different, a typical Wisconsin summer is often filled with festivals. Seriously, you could probably spend every summer weekend at a different festival. And with everything from Irish Fest to Cranfest, the variety is just as impressive as the quantity.
Photos by Clark/Flickr
After living in Wisconsin for an extended period of time, you pick up a few things, including the use of specific terms and phrases. For example, referring to a traffic light as a stop and go light, or quenching your thirst at the bubbler.
Josh Sullivan/Flickr
Out-of-towners may be surprised to find out that we Wisconsinites not only love to drink beer, but we like to cook with it, too! From beer-soaked brats to beer cheese dip, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dish that wouldn’t benefit from a bit of brewski.
llahbocaj/Flickr
If ever there were a stereotype that was true, it’s that we Wisconsinites love our cheese. And who can blame us? This is the Dairy State, after all, which means we’re afforded the freshest of the fresh.
beautifulcataya/Flickr
Here in Wisconsin, the lakes, and the fish, are plentiful. And with an abundance of fish, there’s only one thing to do: make weekly fish fries a tradition. In some places, Friday night fish specials are commonplace during the Lenten season but not the rest of the year. Luckily, we do things our own way in Wisconsin, and Friday night fish fries can be enjoyed year-round.
Royalbroil/Wikimedia
Lots of cities and towns in Wisconsin have names with Native American roots. For example, there’s Oconomowoc, Weyauwega, and Wauwatosa. However, once you’ve lived in the state for an extended period of time, getting your tongue around the monikers is a breeze.
Province of British Columbia/Flickr
What the rest of the world thinks is cold, we Wisconsinites laugh at. Frigid temps don’t scare us. In fact, they provide the perfect opportunity for winter-related fun. Or to binge-watch Netflix while sipping on an Old Fashioned.
Looking for more ways living in Wisconsin changes you? Click here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Wisconsin, USA
