You Know You’re From Michigan When…

You know you’re from Michigan when someone asks where you’re from – and you instinctively hold up your hand to point it out.

Michiganders have a way of turning everyday quirks into proud traditions, from measuring distance in minutes to fiercely defending their favorite Great Lake (see our thoughts on Lake Superior vs. Lake Michigan vs. Lake Huron).

Whether you’ve spent your summers up north or your winters waiting for pothole season to end, life in the Great Lakes State comes with its own language, customs, and unmistakable culture.

Inspiration From Our Awesome Mitten Community

We asked our communities on Instagram, Facebook, and our Day Trips in Michigan Facebook Group to finish the sentence: “You know you’re from Michigan when…” – and the responses did not disappoint.

Get ready for a wave of nostalgia, a few inside jokes only locals will understand, and a celebration of what makes being from Michigan so uniquely special.

When you have 3 out of the 4 seasons in one day.

Dave on Facebook

You Know You’re From Michigan When…

“You point to your hand to show where you are from.”
– Kara on Facebook

“You wear shorts, flip flops, and a winter coat at the same time.”
– Grace on Facebook

“When you can get a suntan and frostbite all in the same week. You can drive from Hell to Paradise in one day. I was in HELL when it froze over.”
– Steven on Facebook

“You drink Faygo Rock and Rye and never ‘soda’!”
– Thomas on Facebook

“You cheer for the Tigers in a bar in another state or country. You know there is a difference between [the] University of Michigan and Michigan State University. You remember Bob Seger as a great bar band. You know what an olive burger is. You take ham on a pizza.”
– Vicky on Facebook

“You know how to pronounce ‘pasty’ and you know what a ‘yooper’ is.”
– Peggy on Facebook

You Know You’re From Michigan When…

“Can pronounce Gratiot and Charlevoix.”
– Michael on Facebook

“You get to NUNICA heading west on I-96 and can ‘feel’ Lake Michigan!”
– Sandra on Facebook

“You know you’re from Michigan when you cross the state line coming home and all you feel is bump, bump, bump……lol pure Michigan……”
– Kimberly on Facebook

“When you know Pictured Rocks were painted by nature and not people.”
– Karen on Facebook

“You’re carried away by mosquitoes…”
– Mattamy on Facebook

“When you’re out of state, ask what kind of pop a restaurant has and they look at you like you’re an alien being!”
– Briana on Facebook

“When you put ketchup on your pasty and not gravy 🤮”
– Kim on Facebook

“When your vacation accommodations must have heat and air conditioning just in case.”
– Alicia on Facebook

“When you order Coney dogs for breakfast.”
– Richard on Facebook

When you need a getaway, you go ‘up north.’

@whitneyh_67 on Instagram

You Know You’re From Michigan When…

“You get in fevered arguments about where ‘Up North’ starts. (BTW, it’s US 10.)”
– @tcmijohn on Instagram

“When you use your hand to show someone where you live. I do this all the time. Haha.”
– @karfar on Instagram

“You’ve cancelled plans because the bridge is closed.”
– @sbohon1 on Instagram

“Bumpy Cake for birthday celebrations.”
– @megdendler on Instagram

“❤️ Koegel’s products”
– @sherrylyn_berry on Instagram

“You have Vernors on standby always for whenever you get sick.”
– @heihay95 on Instagram

“Travel distance is measured in minutes and hours instead of miles.”
– @randomthinks on Instagram

“Your favorite snack is @bettermade1930 chips & a @faygo Rock N Rye.”
– @mrsmaleche on Instagram

“When you run through your sprinklers in a bathing suit on Tuesday, and throw on your winter coat and snow pants on Wednesday.”
– @jlf330 on Instagram

“You’ve said ‘it’s not the ocean—it’s better’ at least once.”
– @sbohon1 on Instagram

“You add a ‘s’ to Meijer.”
– @dogsma02gkk on Instagram

“You say ‘Ope’ every time you make a mistake.”
– @migrl_26 on Instagram

When you’d rather be in our chilly lake on a 100° day than anywhere on this earth.

@karen_mccann_glassart on Instagram

You Know You’re From Michigan When…

“It’s not so much the heat, it’s the humidity.”
– @svanderschuur on Instagram

“You drink pop instead of soda.”
– @slcislo on Instagram

“Your 60 pairs of shoes are everywhere in the entryway.”
– @annieo49316 on Instagram

“Your car has gotten stuck in the snow at least once every winter.”
– @stephiedickson on Instagram

“You call people in the Upper Peninsula ‘Yoopers’ and people in the Lower Peninsula ‘Trolls’.”
– @kiki.mccarthy on Instagram

“When you eat Musk melon instead of cantaloupe.”
– @simplekzoogal on Instagram

“You’ve got sunburn and frostbite in the same week.”
– @sbohon1 on Instagram

“You know you’re from Michigan … when you’re HOME!”
– @lokiwired10 on Instagram

“When we tell folks, we have awesome beaches, great sunsets, phenomenal sand dunes and more coastline and boat registrations than any other state, why we are called the Third Coast and the friendliest coast!”
– @leippra2 on Instagram

Find More to Love About Michigan

Whether you’re laughing at pothole humor or nodding along to “Ope” references, it’s all part of the charm of the Great Lakes State.

Keep the Michigan pride going by checking out:

• And the Award Goes To… Best Michigan State Parks to Hike, Camp, Rock Hunt & More!
• Hilarious Michigan Memes to Make You Laugh Out Loud