Cleveland is a pretty special city, but what’s even more noteworthy is the people that call it home. Its wonders helped influence entire generations, and its influence continues to mold the minds, personalities, and outlooks of future community leaders. Clevelanders are a unique breed that’s worthy of celebration, as we all do little things that set us apart from residents of other big cities. Here are 12 signs that you grew up in Cleveland:
- You are tough as nails.
Jborger/Flickr Winter hardly phases you anymore, and lake effect precipitation doesn’t even merit raising an eyebrow. You have become hardened to the hardships of Cleveland life and, quite honestly, it’s okay.
- You can be a little nuts sometimes.
ABC Television Network/Wikimedia Commons Cleveland has a history of producing some pretty zany people, but with that crazy side comes a streak of ingenuity.
- You know how to celebrate like a champion…
Michelle/Flickr While we have some pretty remarkable sports teams, we know not to get too big for our britches.
- … But you also know how to lose with grace and dignity.
Wyliepoon/Flickr While we love being fiercely competitive, it’s all for the fun of it. We are never too broken-hearted when our sports teams don’t win, and our loyalty remains strong despite the trials and tribulations of an off game or (in the case of the Browns) off season or two.
- Public transportation doesn’t phase you.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garyisajoke/3728169735/in/photolist-eZaUEM-eZaSfB-eZn8Kf-eZaH16-eZnck5-eZaL8R-zgW8Sb-jYASx-awwxGi-6FrSdz-eZaP98-6gpKxY-6FvYxb-6FrRCZ-6FrRHH-6FrR5P-6FrRvV-6gpLJJ-6FvZe1-6FrR4t-6FvZth-6FrRf2-6FrRjn-6FrRLB-6FrRbt-6FvXGE-6FvY3b-6FvY8b-6FvYcd-6FrQS4-6FrQRc-6FvYQY-6FvXN7-6FrRt2-6FrQYx-6FvYJL-6FrQPD-6FvYLy-6FrQUH-6FvYEh-6FrR22-6FvYML-6FrRm6-6FrQWt-6FrRAc-6FvYPh-6FvYmQ-6mNpb7-6FvYpE-toxdXz In big cities, it can be a lot easier and greener to take the metro than to drive. In Cleveland, a ride on the Rapid may be a tight squeeze, but it is better than braving the intense traffic after concerts or sports games.
- You are fairly knowledgeable on a number of different topics.
Erik Drost/Flickr Cleveland is home to some remarkable museums, and as a side effect many locals seemed to have absorbed exorbitant amounts of information.
- You seem to have a deeply rooted sense of adventure.
Erik Drost/Flickr The Cleveland landscape offers countless opportunities for adventure, ranging from kayaking to hiking.
- You know how to have a good time.
Frank Mixson/Flickr As a diverse region, we naturally enjoy some notable festivals here in Northeast Ohio.
- You can’t help but cringe when people say “soda.”
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpockele/226338682/in/photolist-m13B5-7qzYYa-Pbfsu-b7A9c-9qVmzF-8kmYQu-h4BsJ-aeUVbW-hHZid-symb1-89kCQK-PnQEi-4HECyE-JwCRF6-cUZAa7-7zr4WX-7AE4Kt-Dgk5-7w2eoi-zKNdF-2iXGbw-4QQuKZ-5zhdyS-2pYQF-7tuBWK-hPVVD-dKLcMk-9geFfT-RVeLi8-p9Km8A-4fdf5e-VcbEWD-49jneC-49eMgR-49iUmd-nLWd7E-2KnhJv-61RbeB-qHppC-a9c8A4-5Zitgj-T5Xg6j-8dAy3H-4c2meB-8y7N2i-T71YY1-hHZgN-HEgw-cHKTos-e3ozcF You also feel an inexplicable urge to correct them. “Okay, what size pop would you like?”
- You expect to see more traffic cones than human beings on your morning commute.
Erik Drost/Flickr You’ve grown accustomed to the city’s permanent state of construction, and your driving has even adapted to it. Driving on smooth roads almost doesn’t feel challenging enough anymore.
- You laugh at your own jokes.
Malenga/Flickr Clevelanders are all endowed with an unusual sense of humor, and we’re constantly making jokes. When nobody laughs, it’s not a problem, because we’re professionals when it comes to laughing at ourselves.
- Every time you leave, you can’t help but miss Cleveland.
Dustin Jamison/Flickr City life might not be for everyone but, to you, the city is home.
Cleveland is undoubtedly wonderful, but it pales in comparison to the array of people it produces. Clevelanders are the coolest people on earth, and being a Cleveland native is certainly worth celebrating every once in a while.For more, check out our list of strange Clevelander habits.
Jborger/Flickr
Winter hardly phases you anymore, and lake effect precipitation doesn’t even merit raising an eyebrow. You have become hardened to the hardships of Cleveland life and, quite honestly, it’s okay.
ABC Television Network/Wikimedia Commons
Cleveland has a history of producing some pretty zany people, but with that crazy side comes a streak of ingenuity.
Michelle/Flickr
While we have some pretty remarkable sports teams, we know not to get too big for our britches.
Wyliepoon/Flickr
While we love being fiercely competitive, it’s all for the fun of it. We are never too broken-hearted when our sports teams don’t win, and our loyalty remains strong despite the trials and tribulations of an off game or (in the case of the Browns) off season or two.
In big cities, it can be a lot easier and greener to take the metro than to drive. In Cleveland, a ride on the Rapid may be a tight squeeze, but it is better than braving the intense traffic after concerts or sports games.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Cleveland is home to some remarkable museums, and as a side effect many locals seemed to have absorbed exorbitant amounts of information.
The Cleveland landscape offers countless opportunities for adventure, ranging from kayaking to hiking.
Frank Mixson/Flickr
As a diverse region, we naturally enjoy some notable festivals here in Northeast Ohio.
You also feel an inexplicable urge to correct them. “Okay, what size pop would you like?”
You’ve grown accustomed to the city’s permanent state of construction, and your driving has even adapted to it. Driving on smooth roads almost doesn’t feel challenging enough anymore.
Malenga/Flickr
Clevelanders are all endowed with an unusual sense of humor, and we’re constantly making jokes. When nobody laughs, it’s not a problem, because we’re professionals when it comes to laughing at ourselves.
Dustin Jamison/Flickr
City life might not be for everyone but, to you, the city is home.
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