It's no secret to most people that no matter where you live, there's also certain things that you end up having to explain to people who don't live there. Things that are normal and common for the residents, but that out-of-state people just don't understand. Michigan is no exception! As someone who used to live in Maine and moved to Michigan about 3 years ago, I can attest to this! There are a lot of things here that I had to get used to! So, read on to find out some interesting things that (as far as I'm aware) only happen in Michigan, maybe they'll be useful to you if you ever visit!

(This will be formatted like someone is asking a question and then I'm answering!)




What seasons are in Michigan?

We have four seasons here: Winter, almost Construction, Construction, and almost Winter! While this is a joke that most Michiganders will tell you (some may say two seasons: Construction and Winter), it is pretty much true. Construction always seems to be happening here, and when it's not...well it's Winter lol.

What is a Michigan Left!?

Aaaahh good ole Michigan lefts, where you have to travel past the place you want to go, then turn left and go back the way you came to get to where you want to go. Michigan Lefts are weird and sometimes complicated things. When I first came here, I didn't understand them at all, but now from living here I don't even bat an eye anymore xD Basically, what they are is a system in Michigan that helps regulate traffic. It was developed to avoid the interlocking left-turn movements along divided highways. In this way, the only turning movements allowed at such an intersection are right-hand turns. To try to explain to you how it works, here you go: traffic on the crossroad wishing to turn left onto the divided highway first turns right onto that highway, moves to the left lane and turns left into the "median crossover" approximately 660 feet from the intersection. When traffic clears sufficiently, the left turn onto the opposite direction of the divided highway is completed.

Why Does Everyone Seem to Dislike Ohio?

Not everyone dislikes Ohio, I'm sure a lot of people from Michigan love Ohio! What you're noticing is the hate for Ohio State football from Michigan football fans. I'm not really sure why they have such a rivelary, I just know not to bring up Ohio State's Buckeyes to someone who loves the Michigan Wolverines. If you do, you'll notice that the conversation usually turns a bit grumpy like and such, it's a strange thing.

Can I have a soda?

No, you can have a pop though! This is something that I still have not gotten used to at all. Where I'm from we call soft drinks 'soda', but here in Michigan it's called 'pop'. I'm not really sure why there's such a difference or why it's a big deal, I know my boyfriend teases me when I call it soda xD But, if you ever visit Michigan, you'll notice that no one really calls it 'soda' here and if someone does then you know they weren't originally from here xD


Can we visit Mack-I-Nack Island?

If there's one thing you should make sure you have down before visiting Michigan, it would be the pronounciation of Mackinac. If you come here and pronounce it Mack-I-Nack, two things will happen: They'll know you're from out-of-state and they will probably laugh at you xD. It's pronounce Mack-In-Naw.

Why do you Keep Saying 'Door Wall'?

Not everyone in Michigan does this, but I've noticed it when talking to some of the locals and had to ask the same thing. In most places you call it a sliding door, but here in Michigan for some reason people call it a Door Wall. I'm still confused.

"I'm just going to throw this empty 'soda' can in the trash."

Don't. You. Dare. Seriously, do not attempt to throw away a pop can while in Michigan. First of all, the people that live here get very upset if you do. Secondly, it's actually illegal to throw them away. In 2004, Michigan passed a law that made it illegal to dispose of cans in state. Instead, save them and return them for 10 cents a piece!



And that's it for now! I didn't want to make this post tooooo long so that people don't get bored or don't even read it all xD There's plenty of other weird things about Michigan out there, but these are the ones that I learned about when I first moved here xD If anyone is from Michigan or has been to Michigan and has any more of these kind of things that you wish to share, please do so! ^^