Being a Midwesterner isn’t all about eating cheese and watching football… you also have to drink beer and say that you got something on sale every time someone compliments you. It’s not easy work. Everyone expects us to be nice all the time, like we’re some sort of Canadian. But sometimes we just want to point our barbecue tongs at someone and say «Listen here, pal.» People also expect us to be boring, given the generally flat and dry nature of our landscape. But get a couple of brandy old fashioneds in us and you’ll know why they call it the Great Lakes. 

Being a Midwesterner is about embracing your contradictions. You thrive in the snow, but you’ll also throw a cookout every time the weather is above 60 degrees. You will hide your lactose intolerance at family gatherings, and you will point to your hand when you’re talking about places in Michigan. It’s just who we are.