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If you’re a non-American planning to visit the United States for the first time, you’re likely eyeing the big cities you’ve seen in movies or on TV. This short list would likely include New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. If you’re looking for a party, Miami or Las Vegas would probably be on your radar.

Unless you’re planning to experience the sights and sounds of Chicago, the Midwest may not be a priority for you. But as the following screenshots may show you, life down there can be quite colorful.

If you’re from the region, these posts will likely resonate with you. Scroll through and enjoy!

#1

A tweet from Midwest vs. The Rest joking about the Midwest and their preference for long drives over flying.

midwestern_ope Report

R Dennis
Community Member
1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. Everything is within a day's drive if you time it right... well, everything east of The Rockies.

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    #3

    A Twitter post by @the_KATE_gatsby defining Midwest culture as using the garage to keep items cold. A unique place indeed!

    the_KATE_gatsby Report

    Trillian
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lived a year in MN. We had 'the little fridge' in the kitchen and 'the big fridge' aka the deck.

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    Among coastal residents in the United States, the Midwest is commonly labeled as a “flyover country.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it simply means that this region is often passed over during flights from the East to the West coast, and vice versa. 

    But for someone who moved there, like author and University of Michigan lecturer Phil Christman, the Midwest has a lot more to offer than just cornfields and factories.

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    #5

    A tweet from Midwest vs. The Rest, stating, In the Midwest we enter the home through the garage and save the fancy front door for guests.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Verena
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a general rural thing. You know you belong to the inner circle of friends when the first thing you see when entering a house is the washing machine. Rural regions in Denmark & the Netherlands.

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    #6

    A tweet from Midwest vs. The Rest about Midwesterners getting offended when passed on the highway. Midwest culture insights.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I pull out to pass slower traffic and I'm exceeding by 5 and you come rolling up on me exceeding by 10? YOU are gonna wait pal!

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    “Especially in a period when some of the more interesting art and music consists of similar procedures repeated on a massive canvas, you’d think we could learn to truly see Midwestern flatness as something richer than mindless repetition.” Christman wrote in an essay for The Hedgehog Review

    #7

    A Midwest church basement with wood paneling, blue carpet, and a framed picture of Jesus. A unique place.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With cookies and red punch, smell of coffee permeating.

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    #9

    A meme comparing tumbleweed in the West (actual tumbleweed) versus in the Midwest (a damaged trampoline). The Midwest is unique.

    midwestern_ope Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had no way to measure it but we could clearly see the 4-5 'touchdown prints' leading to an errant trampoline 200-300 yards from where it started.

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    Christman, who moved to Michigan from Texas with his wife, recognizes the Midwest’s identity, tied to labor and industry. He pointed out that outsiders may have described it as “America’s breadbasket” in the late 19th and 20th centuries and “America’s foundry” during the Second World War. 

    But one thing Christman also brought up is how the Midwest “suffers from a burden of normality.”

    #10

    A house with a steep, winding driveway, highlighting a unique aspect of The Midwest.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always think about having to shovel the snow off them.

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    “But even used and battered landscapes have their particularity. Detroit’s blight isn’t Cleveland’s blight, any more than Manchester’s is Birmingham’s. Nor are any two cornfields truly exactly alike,” Christman wrote. 

    #13

    A tweet from Matthew J. Cordes, EA about hitting a deer twice, a common Midwest occurrence.

    cordes_tax Report

    Bad Alchemy
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My uncle hit an old bull that had wandered onto a backroad. He hit it with a tow truck. The bull died. So he hoisted it up onto the tow bed, took it home, and there was beef in the freezer for almost a year. For anyone out near Marshfield, WI about 35 years ago who had an old angus bull go missing, it was delicious.

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    #14

    Four kids smiling with a tornado in the background, showing how unique the Midwest can be.

    mackjon010 Report

    Bad Alchemy
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sky isn't quite green, so we're good for a minute.

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    #15

    An aerial view of a complex intersection with multiple roundabouts and highways, unique to the Midwest.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Sam Trudeau
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How to make it clear when you have Manitoba drivers

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    Ultimately, Christman’s essay is more about encouraging people to look past stereotypes about the Midwest. As he implies, most people simply fail to pay close attention, encouraging them to notice the subtleties in ordinary life. 

    “We should ask instead whether our story of the Midwest—this undifferentiated human place—contains any lovelier, more useful, or more radical possibilities. At the very least, we should try to name what there is in us for it to appeal to,” he wrote.

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    #16

    A social media post from microplastics rectifier saying, "It's jarring for me when there are British people in the Midwest." This image highlights the unique aspects of the Midwest.

    facetedcarapace Report

    Did I say that out loud?
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We're very, very lost.....or seeking refuge from Reform. Please take pity on us either way.

    #17

    A beautiful dining room with an antique table, chairs, and a red rug, showcasing the unique Midwest lifestyle.

    Eric_Erins Report

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The main problem with hosting any sort of gathering, is that it involves people!

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    #19

    A stack of napkins and a Kwik Trip tumbler in a car console, revealing a unique Midwest habit.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I generally get gas at the gas station.

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    #20

    A huge pork tenderloin sandwich, topped with lettuce and tomato, on a white plate, showcasing a unique Midwest dish.

    magills_ Report

    CSX321
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, Japan picked up on breaded pork a long time ago. "Tonkatsu" and it's delicious!

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    #23

    A tweet listing the hardest jobs: brain surgeon, aerospace engineer, and teaching someone Euchre, a unique Midwest experience.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Verena
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that connected with the half used pack of cards?

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    #24

    A Twitter post by Midwest vs. The Rest listing 4 stages of saying I love you in the Midwest. A unique place.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Sam Trudeau
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been to Wisconsin and had Culver's. It's like a Grill & Chill

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    #27

    A tweet by Gina Darling about The Midwest's unique place, detailing a man's confusion about North and South Korea.

    MissGinaDarling Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not only in the midwest. Ignorance is common all over the US. Too many people just don't care to learn anything. I guess they cast out their curiosity bug.

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    #28

    A man frantically explaining details on a board covered with papers and string, highlighting the unique Midwest experience.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Just Allen Today
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just hold up my hand and point to where I'm from on it.

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    #29

    A tweet from Midwest vs. The Rest discussing midwesterners saying "ope" and whispering "scuse me." A unique place indeed.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Jonas Fisher
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or how clipped the "Thank you" is when it's both routine and directed toward someone close to us. The t-h-a-n are pretty much non-existent, and we end up just saying, "Cue" with a lift at the end.

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    #32

    A tweet from @holy_schnitt discussing ranch dressing and The Midwest. She states she would eat ranch on anything.

    holy_schnitt Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a change from ketchup on everything, right?

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    #33

    A humorous image showing multiple speed limit signs (35, 55, 20, 70) and a police car, depicting the Midwest's unique driving experience.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Speeding tickets are the town's sole source of income.

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    #36

    A refrigerator drawer overflowing with various types of packaged cheese, highlighting a unique Midwest characteristic.

    mccurry8 Report

    Sara G.
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does it count if mines meat and cheese? lol Where else would I put my hot sticks? :)

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    #37

    A Midwest vs. The Rest tweet showing an Illinois license plate and a large pothole, representing challenges in the Midwest.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Drivers from every Midwestern state think drivers from the closest adjacent state are the worst.

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    #39

    A humorous map explaining the Midwest, labeled with terms like Hot dish, Cheese, Corn, and Great Lakes. Unique Midwest characteristics.

    TerribleMaps Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I beg your pardon. North Dakota is WIND. Seemingly always windy.

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    #42

    A hand holds a stack of worn, dirty bills. The image is part of a social media post about the Midwest.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Gehti nIXON
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably a referenc to the Euchre card game, where you only use the cards 9-ace. That's why half of the deck looks used.

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    #44

    A humorous tweet from Iowa State University Police about excessive vaping on campus, making the Midwest view foggy.

    ISUPD Report

    ADHD
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    imagine a university or school needing a police dept.

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    #45

    A humorous image of a huge container of ranch dressing in a fridge, dispensing into a cup. This highlights unique Midwest culture.

    hopes_revenge Report

    Spooticus Maximus
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surprised someone doesn't have their mouth directly under it

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    #48

    A humorous tweet describing an awkward door-opening encounter, illustrating the unique Midwest experience.

    TFG870 Report

    azubi
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In North Germany we let the other one pass saying "Schiet geht vorm Besen", which somehow doesn't sound quite as charming in the literal translation "dirt goes before the broom".

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    #49

    A tweet discussing Midwest culture: saying it feels nice out when it's 30 degrees. Unique Midwest insights.

    c1aar Report

    Fred
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "mid 30s" means a couple of degrees above freezing.

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    #50

    A social media post humorously defines Midwest culture, highlighting its uniqueness. It is one of many posts about the Midwest.

    praiseafork Report

    OneHappyPuppy
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just today I received a "professional" Whatsapp message from a company saying they "f*cked up their order" when ordering from us. What do you reply?

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    #59

    A Midwestern field next to a dirt road, under a hazy sky, highlighting the unique Midwest landscape.

    IowaChill Report

    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was the view that broke me back there. And I can still feel the humidity.

    #60

    A hand inside a car making a gesture, captioned Let's confuse non midwesterners, about The Midwest.

    midwestern_ope Report

    Alder
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's pretty standard driving etiquette here in the UK!

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    #61

    A Midwest meme depicting Iowa returning to prairie and a chart showing plunging corn futures.

    SewerSocialism Report

    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know when you're out in the sticks in the Midwest when the hog and cattle prices are on the news.

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    #64

    A tweet from Djew Holiday asking why Midwest people pronounce caramel as "Carmel." Unique Midwest insight.

    fureelfureel Report

    Juls
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dialect. Yes, accents are a thing that exists.

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    #65

    A tweet asking why Midwest households have beach-themed bathrooms, revealing unique Midwest quirks.

    emmakathleeennn Report

    emlab kerba
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the bathroom is the ocean, but the kitchen is a farm

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    #67

    A tweet about the Midwest, asking why people have a second fridge when their garage is a fridge for half the year.

    NotoriousBOG_ Report

    Helena
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep the food warm in the winter, cold in the summer.

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