1. Former Michiganders Laugh In The Face Of Other Rivalries
…Because you know just how real the Michigan vs Michigan State feud gets. Everything else is child’s play in comparison.
2. A Michigan Hot Dog Is A Rare, National Treasure
If you’re assuming you’ll be able to find a worthy Michigan hot dog just anywhere, you’re going to be in for a massive letdown.
You might think something so relatively simple would be easy to replicate, but that’s just not the case.
3. Faygo Won’t Be On Any Menu, Anywhere, Ever
Coke or Pepsi products. Maybe an RC here and there. But that’s it.
4. Karaoke Will Still Always Include Taking “A Midnight Train To Anywhere”
Except now, you’ll be singing the “Born and raised in South Detroit!” part much louder than the rest.
Followed by, “You know, there really is no South Detroit.”
5. What Doesn’t Freeze You Makes You Stronger
The acclimation your body has built to the cold over the years will make you almost superhuman on the everywhere else.
6. Michigan Pride Will Trump All Differences
If you stumble on another Michigander on your travels, you’ll feel an instant bond.
Up or Downstate, Yoopers or Trolls, if you’re a Fudgie or just Saginawesome… Those differences become much more trivial when you leave.
7. Make Sure To Have Someone Who Will Send Care Packages
Brace yourself, you won’t be able to get fudge from Mackinac Island anymore.
8. Departing Michiganders Should Work On Their Poker Game
Because virtually one knows how to play Euchre and Cribbage.
9. Fat Tuesdays Without Paczkis Will Be A Lot Skinnier
And no, that is not a good thing.
10. You’ll Have To Throw Your Own Fish Fry Fridays
Very few places do fish fry that is even worth mentioning in the same breath as Michigan fish fry.
11. Stay Strong, Lions Fans
You’ll need a thick skin with all the Lions jokes you’re about to get hit with. But you’re used to that already. NO SHAME!
12. You’ll See People Fist Bump And Say “That’s Not A Fist Bump”
Now THAT’s a fist bump.
13. The Chips Out There Aren’t Better Than Better Made
Yes, it’s a cruel world.
14. The Quality Of Ice Cream Drops Significantly
There is no room for argument on the fact that Michigan has the best ice cream in the entire nation. Superman, Blue Moon, Moose Tracks, Mackinac Island Fudge…You’ve been spoiled.
15. Ex-Michiganders Are Walking Advertisements For Michigan
What people tend to know about Michigan: Detroit is here and some lakes. It’s up to you to fill in the many blanks.
16. No Longer Being Kind Of Canadian Will Sting A Little
It’s impossible not to feel a tiny bit Canadian when you live in Michigan.Trips to Canada were more frequent than somewhere like Florida, which might as well be a world away.
But that may or may not have everything to do with Tim Hortons.
17. Camping Under The Northern Lights Will Become Pure Fantasy
Outside of Michigan, witnessing the Aurora Borealis is on most people’s bucket lists, not on their list of things they did last weekend.
18. Former Michiganders Will Always Be Searching For A Sight As Amazing As This
Spolier alert: You won’t find it.
19. Go Experience What Seasons Are Supposed To Be Like
Seasons in Michigan: almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction. The beauty of all four seasons is definitely there, but spring and fall are still much colder than most would prefer.
20. Good Luck Trying To Find A Place To Experience Pristine Sand Dunes…
Silver Lakes is proof that Mother Nature doesn’t need to show off to be spectacular.
21. …And Have All That Fun On The Water Without An Ocean In Sight…
How many lakes does one person need? The answer: about 11,000. Can any other state give you that?
22. …But Also Get To Go Skiing
You don’t brave six months of winter and walk away with nothing to show for it.
23. There’s No Other Place For Michiganders To Celebrate Christmas 365 Days A Year
Santa Claus himself could go on strike and it would affect folks from Michigan less than if Bronner’s closed down. Other states do Christmas only at Christmas time. How boring.
24. It’s Okay For Michiganders To Act Like They Single-Handedly Invented The Automobile
You’re welcome, America.
25. Even If You Don’t Listen To Motown, You’ll Become A Spokesperson For Motown
Because it’s Motown. Not to brag or anything, but you’re welcome again, America.
26. Frankenmuth Is A Lot Like Epcot
Where you go for the best chicken in the entire planet and all the beer your Oktoberfest-loving heart can handle. And you don’t have to fly to Florida to get it.
27. Take It Easy On Those Michigan Lefts
You might have them mastered here in Michigan, but cross state lines and pulling driving moves like that will result in a hefty ticket or even a side-swipe of your passenger’s mirror.
28. Former Michiganders Have To Use Real Maps
No one will know what you’re pointing to if you use the hand trick, so there’s really no point. Put your paws down and tell them how far from Detroit or a major lake you were.
29. Former Michiganders Will Be Proud To Discover That They’re Beer Snobs
Once you leave, you’ll knock back a bottle of Oberon with a look in your eye that lets everyone else around you know that what you’re drinking is beer, that Coors light they’re drinking is the sweat off your beer’s back.
30. Michigan Won’t Ever Let Go Of Your Heart
No matter where you go, your heart will always be here, waiting for your ungrateful self to return and swear to never leave again.
What do you miss about Michigan? Tell us in the comments below!
