1. No One Knows Much About Indiana
One of the first things you’ll realize when you leave Indiana is how little the rest of the country cares about this state. To everyone else, it’s just a flyover state somewhere in the Midwest. You’ll have to prove them wrong by showing them how awesome it really is.
2. Everyone Will Assume You’re A Farmer
If the new people you meet know anything about Indiana, they’ll probably know it’s filled with cornfields. Thanks to this well-known reputation, they’ll quickly assume that you’ve spent plenty of summers out in the fields shucking corn.
While the agricultural industry is a big deal around these parts, everyone doesn’t have a copy of the annual Farmer’s Almanac on their nightstand.
3. Basketball Won’t Be Such A Huge Deal
Basketball is a part of life in Indiana, as tons of people grow up playing this sport and everyone seems to be an avid fan of the local team. You’ll probably be a little disappointed when new friends don’t really care too much about March Madness.
4. Camo Isn’t Always Part Of The Average Wardrobe
Thanks to the huge hunting culture in Indiana, camo tends to sneak its way into everyday wear. It’s not uncommon to see someone sporting these colors regardless of whether or not they’re planning on pulling a trigger. But leave Indiana and be prepared to leave the print behind.
5. Good Watermelon Will Be Hard To Find
If you grew up around Knox County, you probably hold your watermelon to a higher standard than the rest of the country. Any melon you encounter elsewhere just won’t compare.
6. People Won’t Believe That Santa Claus Is A Real Town
Home to Holiday World, this town might have a funny name, but it’s the real deal. Don’t let anyone doubt its existence.
7. You’ll Start To Realize How Creepy The Ace’s Mascot Is
With a giant moustache and an affinity for gambling, Ace Purple can be a little disturbing to people who didn’t grow up watching this misunderstood mascot pump up the crowd.
While your new friends might find this guy creepy when he makes it onto Sportscenter, he’ll be just one more thing that makes you miss home.
8. It Might Be Awhile Before You Find Another Screamin’ Eagles Fan
A big college in Evansville, USI boasts one of the best educations in the Southern Indiana region. If you’re an alum and you leave this state, it might be awhile before you find another person to cheer with during the big game.
9. You’ll Miss The Friendliness
If there’s one thing that Southern Indiana does better than anywhere else, it’s homegrown hospitality. You’ll miss the polite waves and casual small talk that you got used to in the Hoosier State.
10. The Term Hoosier Tends To Confuse People
Expect people to be very curious about what a “Hoosier” really is. While you might not know the exact answer, the easiest response is that it’s someone who grew up in Indiana.
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11. You’ll Discover You Have An Accent
While most Hoosiers will deny that they talk a bit funny, certain verbal short cuts tend to make people from this area easy to pick out from a crowd. Don’t think you have an accent? Say you’re “going to the store” out loud. I bet you said “goin’ to the store.”
12. “What’s In Bloomington, Again?”
One of the few Southern Indiana towns that outsiders might recognize, they’ll know this name but not how they know it. It’s thanks to the Indiana Hoosiers, of course, one of the best college basketball programs in the history of the NCAA.
13. No One Else Cares What High School You Went To
When you ask someone from Southern Indiana where they’re from, there’s a good chance they’ll respond with what high school they attended.
People here take pride in the place they got their education and want everyone they meet to know where they stand when it comes to cross-county rivalries.
14. Euchre Will Get Hard To Play
One card game often noted for how confusing it can be to first-timers, it will be hard to convince outsiders to learn this game where a Jack is the most powerful card in the deck.
Meeting new friends that already know how to play this game when you’re far from home is a true breath of fresh air.
15. You’ll Miss The Fried Food
If Indiana has perfected anything, it’s the art of deep-frying food. Don’t believe me? Head to Evansville’s Fall Fest, where you can try seemingly anything tossed in a deep fryer, even Twinkies and Coca-Cola. My personal favorite is the deep-fried cookie dough a la mode.
Trust me. You’ll miss it. A lot.
16. It Might Be Hard To Find A Date For That Country Concert Coming To Town
While every Hoosier might not have the latest top 40 country song pumping through their speakers, most will recognize how awesome country concerts are. Full of good music, dancing, and plenty of beer, you’re sure to miss the summer concert season if you leave.
17. You’ll Miss The Cornfields In No Time
After spending many years making long drives through the countryside on flat roads bordered by tall rows of corn, it’s easy to think you’re ready for a change.
Don’t take these long stretches for granted though, there’s a certain peacefulness that can be found during Indiana drives that you won’t find anywhere else.
18. There’s This Thing Called Traffic
If you’re from Southern Indiana, any delay that’s more than 5 minutes can make you feel like you’ve endured an awful experience on the roadways. Just hope you don’t move to one of the many places in America in which average daily commutes can take over an hour each way thanks to overcrowding.
19. No One Will Have Your Appreciation For Free Soda And Sunblock
When it comes to theme parks, it’s no surprise that Holiday World gets a lot of attention worldwide. Offering guests tons of great amenities and a seemingly endless list of rides, this is one theme park that you’ll always miss come summer
20. “You Actually Swam In That?”
Known around the country for being dirty, people you meet outside of Indiana will question your sanity for dipping your toes in a water source with as much pollution as the Ohio River.
It might not be crystal clear, but you haven’t started growing a third arm yet so it must be fine…right?
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21. Not As Many People Won’t Be Locked and Loaded
Whether you’re a gun-owner or not, it’s hard to deny the presence of firearms in Southern Indiana. Tons of Hoosiers choose to embrace their 2nd amendment rights every single day.
If you leave the Hoosier State for another part of the country, there’s a good chance you’ll be moving somewhere that has a completely differently outlook on home defense and hunting. Make sure you know the local rules before you carry.
22. Weather Isn’t Always So Wacky
Once you’ve survived a few years of that crazy Midwestern weather, you’re prepared for anything. Long gone are the days of trying to pack for sunshine, snow, rain, and extreme wind over the span of a few hours.
23. You’ll Run Into Plenty Of Colts Fans
Outside of Indiana, people still tend to love the Colts for some reason. You’ll have no problem finding someone to talk about Andrew Luck with.
24. Hope The Humidity Doesn’t Follow You
Southern Indiana is home to truly crushing humidity come the summer months of the year. If you’re leaving this state, at least you can probably look forward to ending up somewhere that a walk to the mailbox won’t have your shirt drenched in sweat.
25. People Won’t Understand Your Bitter Rivalry With Kentucky
Sitting directly across the Ohio River, it’s no surprise that many Hoosiers love to make playful jokes about Kentucky. Expect blank stares when you make a joke about how backwards the Bluegrass State is to your new friends. They just won’t get it.
26. Other Places Might Be A Bit More Blue
While most Southern Hoosiers tend to be more conservative when it comes to politics, other places in the country aren’t quite so one-sided. Expect an argument if you bring up certain opinions around a new group of friends.
27. You’ll Crave Certain Foods
Indiana might not be known around the country for its exquisite cuisine, but you’ll definitely start craving things like Grippo’s, Ski soda, Bobe’s pizza, and Pizza King Stromboli’s.
Fortunately, most of the foods you’ll miss most can be easily shipped your way or recreated in your own kitchen.
28. The Bible Belt Is Smaller Than You Thought
If religion is something that’s important to you, Indiana is a great place to be. After leaving the Hoosier State, you’ll quickly discover that people in other areas of the country are far less likely to pick up a Bible.
29. You Can Stop Fearing Deer
Even just a short drive through Southern Indiana can reveal a real problem on Hoosier roadways…rogue deer.
Fortunately, if you’re leaving Indiana for a part of the country that’s not quite so wooded, you probably won’t have to worry about leaving roadkill behind every time you take the wheel.
30. Storm Sirens Incite Fear In Most People
If you grew up in Southern Indiana, you’re probably used to hearing the blaringly loud alert system that blasts through the air as serious weather approaches.
While this occurrence should probably send people running for cover, Hoosiers can’t help but check out the storm for themselves first. Your new friends will either think you’re extremely brave or completely crazy… probably a little bit of both.
31. You CAN Buy Booze On Sunday (Sometimes)!
While running out of beer during the middle of football Sunday might spell “disaster” in Indiana, in other states it’s not quite the same problem. Liquor stores stay open 7 days a week in most parts of the country.
32. You’ll Miss Southern Indiana More Than You Thought
It’s commonly said that it’s hard to know how much you’ll miss something until it’s actually gone. Southern Indiana is one of those things. If you grew up calling this place your home, you’ll long to come back for visits after saying goodbye.
It’s just so hard to beat the hospitality, small town culture and general peace you can find in Hoosier State.
What do you miss about Southern Indiana? Tell us in the comments below!
