Things that Cause Culture Shock when We Leave Michigan

There’s no question that Michigan is a unique and wonderful place to live. It may have its challenges, like long winters, but learning to cope with and embrace them just endears this place to us even more. Even though we have everything we could ever want right here, we do like to get out and broaden our horizons once and a while. When we travel, we sometimes encounter unique situations that send us into culture shock.

1. How do you landlocked folks live without a beach down the road? Where do you go to watch the sunset?

2. You call that a lake? Ha! If it isn’t at least 50 miles wide, it’s just a pond. And what is up with saltwater anyway?

3. Your low for the day was 65 degrees in December? How do you get in the Christmas spirit if everything isn’t covered in fluffy, sparkly snow?

4. Lightning and tornadoes are the only weather that keeps us from going outside. Why do you shut the city down over half an inch of snow?

5. Your state is basically shaped like a rectangle. How do you show people where you live if you can’t use your hand as a map?

6. We can’t find a Biggby coffee shop. What is this place you call Starbucks?

7. We can’t imagine going back to school before Labor Day. How do you sit inside at a desk when you should be at the beach?

8. We got a ticket when we made a Michigan Left Turn in Ohio. We almost talked our way out of it, but then the officer saw our U of M bumper sticker.

9. We just assumed every town has a craft beer brewery. What do you guys do with your old, abandoned factory buildings in downtown?

10. We always have a blizzard, heat wave or flood to talk about. How do you folks make small talk with strangers when your weather is so dull?