\nResidents are fiercely loyal to their area and everyone will be able to guess your demographics from your income level down to the beer you drink based on where you live.<\/p>\n
2. Be Nice<\/h2>\n
Manhattan is always so quick to remind Chicago that the two cities don\u2019t compare. So let\u2019s clarify the biggest difference: you won\u2019t find that self-important attitude here in Chicago.
\nThey\u2019re proud to be the third largest city in the country but no one feels the need to brag. People are nice here so check any attitude at O\u2019Hare.<\/p>\n
3. Pay The Extra For The Good Umbrella<\/h2>\n
On a rainy and windy day, you won\u2019t walk a block without finding a mangled umbrella haphazardly discarded in a trash can. Invest in an umbrella with wind vents, they\u2019re worth every penny in this city.<\/p>\n
4. But That \u201cWindy City\u201d Name Has Nothing To Do With The Wind<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s a common misconception but it\u2019s actually in reference to the political climate in the city. And yes, everyone in Chicago knows it\u2019s a circus.<\/p>\n
5. And No One Calls It Chi-Town<\/h2>\n
Unless they\u2019re trying to be ironic, of course. But even then it\u2019s not all that popular.<\/p>\n
6. Chicago Has Beaches<\/h2>\n
Just because you\u2019re in a major city in the Midwest doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll never see a beach. Lake Michigan might not be an ocean, but it looks remarkably like one and you don\u2019t have to worry about jellyfish or getting salt in your eyes.
\nNo matter where you are in Chicago, you can be at the beach in 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
7. Navy Pier Is For Tourists<\/h2>\n
You\u2019ll go once and realize that\u2019s more than enough. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater located there is the notable exception, so good it\u2019s worth the crowds.<\/p>\n
8. The Look Of Chicago Never Gets Old<\/h2>\n
The art and architecture of Chicago alone will make you truly proud to live here. And yes, it\u2019s a giant mirrored bean. Because why not?<\/p>\n
9. Respect Sidewalk And Escalator Etiquette<\/h2>\n
Keep sidewalks flowing in a standard traffic pattern by staying to the right and avoiding abrupt stops. On escalators, stand on the right and move on the left. It\u2019s courteous.<\/p>\n
10. Don\u2019t Believe All That Ketchup Hype<\/h2>\n
You will see signs and hear rumors that putting ketchup on a world-famous Chicago dog is a crime so heinous, you\u2019ll be excommunicated. Did I say the backbone to Chicago is the neighborhoods? I was wrong. It\u2019s cheese. Glorious, glorious cheese. It can be put on everything and no meal is complete without it.<\/p>\n If you believe the calendar, you\u2019d think that winter starts in late December and ends in March. Keep dreaming! Don\u2019t let it make you feel bad, everyone does. The food is delicious and the temperatures are cold. You\u2019ll shed it when the ground thaws out and you\u2019re back outside again like everyone else.<\/p>\n Lesser known than their hot dogs and deep dish, Chicago does tamales better than anywhere else this side of Mexico. To many people\u2019s surprise, there are plenty of thin crust options around including traditional and square-cut tavern style. There\u2019s a reason why Chicago is known for their deep dish. Not only did it start here, but there\u2019s nowhere else that will ever blow your mind this hard. By El, bus, or train, the CTA will take you around every corner of the city that you need to be. Granted, it\u2019s outdated, you\u2019ll meet some interesting characters on your journeys, and you\u2019ll probably be late, but you will get there.<\/p>\n Finding parking will become the bane of your existence in Chicago and parking tickets will be routine. But, your parallel parking game will reach gold medal status.<\/p>\n Speaking of parking, you\u2019ll undoubtedly have many Final Destination style thoughts whenever you see the Chicago Parking Deck, no matter how long you live here. You\u2019re not the only one.<\/p>\n Chicago has some really great street performers. When you have a minute to spare, stop and watch, give them a clap, and then give them a little spare cash–especially if it\u2019s Puppet Mike with his Puppet Bike.<\/p>\n The Chicago Cubs or The White Sox. You don\u2019t have to be a native to cheer for the home team, but you have to pick one and stick to it. You have a better shot finding someone in Chicago who cheers for the Yankees than finding someone who admits that they have even the slightest hint of an accent.<\/p>\n If you want to be a true Chicagoan, then give your cash to the little guys, not the big chains. Pass on Starbucks and try one of the many awesome coffee shops here like HERO, Bad Wolf, Wormhole and more.<\/p>\n Chicago has worked really hard in building a system for cyclists to get around the roads and the two-wheeled community is growing. But, it definitely makes the roadways crowded. Keep a look out, especially while parking and opening your car doors.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t believe the cab driver who is yelling at you that he only takes cash, even when you\u2019re staring at a credit card machine. He\u2019ll probably even tell you that it\u2019s broken. It\u2019s all a big sham. Don\u2019t take your Chicago geographical advice from the news or a few TV shows that will have you believing that Chicago\u2019s South Side is nothing short of the gateway to hell. It\u2019s just not true. Perhaps the greatest athlete of all time, Michael Jordan is legend. And Chicago is proud to claim him as their own.<\/p>\n Just know that John Belushi love runs strong. Jim Belushi hate runs even stronger.<\/p>\n Chicago has a large Polish population and the bars here are a popular destination. You\u2019ll learn that \u201czimne piwo\u201d is Polish for \u201ccold beer\u201d fast. Licensed under CC-BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>\n Original source<\/a> via Flickr<\/a>\n<\/div>\n If you want to blend in, don\u2019t pronounce Paulina like the female name. It\u2019s \u201cPaul-eye-nuh.\u201d Likewise, Devon is \u201cDev-on\u201d and Throop is pronounced like \u201cChroop.\u201d No one said it makes sense, that\u2019s just the way it is. 1. Your Neighborhood Defines You Despite the numerous changes and facelifts the city has seen over the years, the backbone of Chicago is still its neighborhoods. Residents are fiercely loyal to their area and everyone will be able to guess your demographics from your income level down to the beer you drink based on where you live. 2. Be Nice Manhattan is always so quick to remind Chicago that the two cities don\u2019t compare. So let\u2019s clarify the biggest difference: you won\u2019t find that self-important attitude here in Chicago. They\u2019re proud to be the third largest city in the country […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":41616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","post--single"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nBut the truth is, you\u2019re free to use ketchup on whatever food you\u2019d like, including hot dogs. Is it weird? Well, yeah. Will people stare? Probably.
\nYou can search condos for sale<\/a>, open houses<\/a> for this weekend, new listings<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0price reduced homes<\/a>\u00a0in Chicago and beyond.<\/p>\n11. But Cheese Goes With Everything<\/h2>\n
12. There Is No Such Thing As Spring Or Fall<\/h2>\n
\nWinter begins in mid-October and lasts through April in Chicago, so give up any plans for skimpy outdoor Halloween costumes and don\u2019t be surprised if your Easter egg hunt gets snowed out.<\/p>\n13. You\u2019ll Gain 10 Pounds Every Winter<\/h2>\n
14. Chicago\u2019s King Sits On A Cooler Filled With Tamales<\/h2>\n
\nAnd if you see a man appear out of nowhere with nothing but a cooler filled with tamales, bow down. That\u2019s The Tamale Guy and things are about to get delicious.<\/p>\n15. Chicago Pizza Isn\u2019t Just Deep Dish<\/h2>\n
\nYou can keep the comparisons to New York pizza to yourself, though. No one here is competing, they\u2019re too busy stuffing their faces with awesome pizza.<\/p>\n16. But OMG, The Deep Dish!<\/h2>\n
\nGrab the utensils, though, because deep dish is a legitimate meal.<\/p>\n17. You Don\u2019t Need A Car<\/h2>\n
18. If You Have A Car, Get Used To Tickets<\/h2>\n
19. No, You\u2019re Not The Only One Who Gets Nervous Looking At This<\/h2>\n
20. Respect The Buskers<\/h2>\n
21. Cubs Or Sox, Make Your Choice<\/h2>\n
\nYou can\u2019t have both. If you can\u2019t decide, use the map to make your choice.<\/p>\n22. There\u2019s No Point In Mentioning Anyone\u2019s Accent<\/h2>\n
23. Pass On The Chains<\/h2>\n
24. Watch Out For The Bikes<\/h2>\n
25. Your Cabbie Doesn\u2019t Want Your Card<\/h2>\n
\nBut if you know you\u2019re going to be taking a cab and don\u2019t feel like dealing with the hassle, carry cash.<\/p>\n26. The Truth About The South Side<\/h2>\n
\nThere are plenty of places you can go in the South Side that are good, just as there are some West Side areas that aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n27. Michael Jordon Wins Life<\/h2>\n
28. John Belushi > Jim Belushi<\/h2>\n
29. You\u2019ll Get An Education In Polish<\/h2>\n
\nBut if you\u2019re not a heavy weight and someone offers you a shot of Malort, walk away.<\/p>\n30. How To Say The Street Names<\/h2>\n
![\"Street](\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7372\/8858363703_04638674c7.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n“Street name signs, Galena, Illinois<\/span>” by jelm6<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n
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