While other cities pride themselves on keeping things “ weird , ” Chicagoans typically think ourselves to be pretty normal human beings . We detest to break the news to you , but that ’s not unfeigned at all . We ’ve got great deal of routine behaviors that , when you really cerebrate about it , are pretty darn unusual . Just attempt doing any of the pursuit in other parts of the rural area and see what sort of response you get .
Ordering a sandwich “wet”
Unless you ’re from Chicago , see someone set up their sandwich “ wet ” would believably conspire up vision of that scene in National Lampoon’sFamily Vacationwhere Clark circumstantially eats a sandwich that ’s , uh … tight . Thankfully , Aunt Edna ( and her evil hotdog ) have never add up anywhere nearour preferent Italian beef joint .
Celebrating the life (and death) of a billboard
While the 2015 movieAlohabarely cross-file on the radar of most Americans , its billboard became a darling raw material in Logan Square . lamentably , just as neck of the woods house physician were design a one year anniversary party for the billboard , tragedy struck . On Friday , May 6th , the billboard was remove , and the party was , alas , changed toa vigil . RIP , Alohabillboard . You hold out on in our hearts .
Standing in line for donuts like it’s Black Friday
While most of us will roam our eye at people who opt to stand in line of reasoning for hr at Walmart on Black Friday , we ( along with a few other metropolis in the Midwest ) will gladly inflame up extra early to stand in argument at our favorite bakery onPączki Day . Much like the vast legal age of Black Friday deals , you’re able to really can get pączki year - circle at most European bakery . But , you know , it ’s just not the same if you do n’t digest in line for it and then brag about it on societal medium , right ?
Hanging out in your “fronchroom”
Of all the Chicagoisms that exist , “ fronchroom ” is the most confusing to outsider , who typically presume you ’re bear on to some special French - themed room . They ’ll be painfully disappointed when they eventually get to chew the fat this magical elbow room and realize that it ’s just a plain , boring living space at the front of your house . On the shining side , they ’ll be incredibly projecting to learn that your “ gangway ” is not , in fact , gang - related .
Staking claim to a 10ft plot of space with a children’s toy
Combine a major want of garage parking with vivid winters , and what do you get ? Why , people frame children ’s ’ toys from 1992 on the street to protect their parking spot , of course ! While some multitude have started voice their displeasure surrounding “ dibs , ” we must all come to accept the fact that this is one Chicago custom that will never die .
Passionately advocating against the use of a specific condiment
While there are few thing that can unify Chicagoans , there ’s one affair that has brought us together over the decades : our disdain for anyone that puts ketchup on a hot dog . While this seems totally normal tous(andthere ’s legit conclude behind it ) , I venture we ’d probably find it kind of odd if , for deterrent example , we visited Portland and were told we ca n’t put pickle on a hamburger just because they ’ve decided that pickles do n’t belong there .
Going outside in shorts and a T-shirt on a 40-degree day
While the Southern constituent of the country is furiously arming themselves with down - fill jacket crown and thermic boxing glove at the mere mention of 40 degrees , Chicagoans are gleefully ripping these items off . After you ’ve subsist sub - zero weather , 40 level temps feel absolutely blissful . Who cares if there ’s still C. P. Snow on the earth ? It ’s shorts weather , damn it !
Casually mentioning that you’re taking LSD
Trips on LSD are so much sport … so beautiful and witching ! Well , unless you ’re stuck in traffic of course . Or , you know , if you were one of those pitiful souls that got stuck during the Snowpocalypse , an outcome which we ’re pretty certain qualifies as a “ bad trip . ” Cue Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah !
Going into panic mode at the sight of a yellow light
There ’s nothing worse than getting a white-livered lightjustbefore you get through an Cartesian product . Your beat quickens . Fight - or - flight mode kicks in . WHAT DO YOU DO ? ! Whether you opt to slam on your brakes ( potentially stimulate a fender - carousal ) , or shock it in an effort to gun barrel through the crossway in under three instant , you ’re guaranteed to terrify any out - of - towner that has the misfortune of being in your car as you endeavor to avoid getting flashed by a flushed light camera . Thanks , Rahm .
Consuming relish that slightly resembles Hi-C Ecto Cooler
That Ne green relish may attend weird , but it ’s delectable , bedamn it . While nobodyreallyknows when or why Chicagoans start put nuclear green relish on our hot dogs , there area few theory . While you ’ll be intemperately - pressed to find this yummy pas seul of relish outside of the Chicagoland area , it ’s a staple in our kitchens … in good order along with the giardiniera and celery salinity .
Getting verbally abused at restaurants… for fun
What is it with Chicagoans and our love for opprobrious restaurant ? First there was Ed Debevic ’s , which – Sojourner Truth be told – seemed to heavily tone down the snark in their final years . However , we ’re evenhandedly sure no restaurant in American cup of tea out more abuse thanThe Weiner ’s Circle . The live domestic dog rack has become so well - known for its sassy staff that it even had its own reality show , which was abruptly - lived , because , well , seemingly the rest of America ca n’t handle that tier of ill-treatment . Weaklings .
Putting giant inflatable rats in front of your workplace
reach that this is a unification Ithiel Town , most born - and - bred Chicagoans have become habitual to discover gargantuan inflatable rats kill up around townspeople . Heck , some people have evenseen one get shank ! However , if you ever encounter to stumble upon Scabby the Rat ( yes , that ’s his name ) pop up in a non - blue collar part of township , you ’re apt to hear utterly confused out - of - towner say extremely entertaining things like , “ Is there a RAT INFESTATION at our hotel ? ? ? ”
Devouring food from the Igloo cooler of a random man in a bar
In any other circumstance , buy homemade food item from a random man who just saunter into a taproom in a large city would seem highly questionable . However weird it may seem to outsiders , we ’ll forever remain devoted to The Tamale Guy : local legend and tardy - Nox sub .
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Jeremy Woodhouse/Carl Kravats/Blend Images/Getty
Sean Cooley/Thrillist
Flickr/Liza Lagman Sperl
Flickr/Arnold Gatilao
Flickr/bradhoc
The Weiners Circle|Flickr/ken yee
Flickr/John W. Iwanski
