Understanding the Heartland - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Liquor Dealer · 04-21-2003, 05:46 AM

Subject: The Midwest

Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross states such as Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Colorado,Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin, the Midwest Tourism Councils have adopted a new policy. In an effort to help outsiders understand the rural Midwesterner's mind, the following list will be handed to each person as they enter each Midwestern state.

1. That slope-shouldered farm boy did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.

2. It's called a 'gravel road'. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four-wheel drive because I need it. Drive it or get it out of my way.

3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were five years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.

4. Any references to 'corn fed' when talking about our women will get you whipped . . . by our women.

5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for...bait.

6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at that time.

8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you paid at the airport for one drink.

9. No, there's no "vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

10. Yeah, we have sweet tea. It comes in a glass with two packets of sugar and a long spoon.

11. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.

12. So you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have quarter of a million dollar combine that we only use two weeks a year.

13. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

14. Our women hunt, fish, and drive trucks because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.

15. Yeah, we eat catfish, carp, and turtle, too. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

16. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstate 70 goes two ways and Interstate 35 goes the other two ways. Take your pick.

17. The 'opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.

18. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

19. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish.

20. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot... his name is 'Sir'...no matter how old he is.

spectre · 04-21-2003, 06:05 AM

Now that's funny!

sapiens · 04-21-2003, 06:07 AM

Great list! I'm originally from Wisconsin. I can identify with a lot of that post. Though, I never hunted much.

G_Whiz · 04-21-2003, 06:12 AM

I appreciate the humor, but I think that there is a problem with lumping all Californians and New Yorkers into a grouping like that. It doesn't work.

Face it, California is over 600 miles long. In the northern and eastern parts of the state, there are areas that could be substituted for your MidWest in that joke. The problem is that we all get hung with the image of LA or San Francisco. Neither presents an accurate picture of California.

I'm sure that NY has similar complaints about being compared to the NYC image. I'll let someone from there defend their state.

BTW, one of my favorite dishes is pan-fried catfish. I think it's about time for a little fishin trip.

rockogre · 04-21-2003, 06:15 AM

Ah home. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

And all you people from both coasts have accents.

rogue49 · 04-21-2003, 06:20 AM

Classic

Even though I've lived in both East Coast & Southern Cal.

I was born in OKC and still have family there.
And I've travel across the US several times.

I love this perspective.

04-21-2003, 05:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Liquor Dealer Super Agitator Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A	Understanding the Heartland Subject: The Midwest Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross states such as Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Colorado,Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin, the Midwest Tourism Councils have adopted a new policy. In an effort to help outsiders understand the rural Midwesterner's mind, the following list will be handed to each person as they enter each Midwestern state. 1. That slope-shouldered farm boy did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym. 2. It's called a 'gravel road'. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four-wheel drive because I need it. Drive it or get it out of my way. 3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were five years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it. 4. Any references to 'corn fed' when talking about our women will get you whipped . . . by our women. 5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for...bait. 6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot. 7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at that time. 8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you paid at the airport for one drink. 9. No, there's no "vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey. 10. Yeah, we have sweet tea. It comes in a glass with two packets of sugar and a long spoon. 11. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice. 12. So you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have quarter of a million dollar combine that we only use two weeks a year. 13. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow. 14. Our women hunt, fish, and drive trucks because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute. 15. Yeah, we eat catfish, carp, and turtle, too. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop. 16. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstate 70 goes two ways and Interstate 35 goes the other two ways. Take your pick. 17. The 'opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church. 18. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Understand the concept? 19. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish. 20. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot... his name is 'Sir'...no matter how old he is.

04-21-2003, 06:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	Now that's funny! __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head

04-21-2003, 06:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
G_Whiz Junkie Location: Northern California	I appreciate the humor, but I think that there is a problem with lumping all Californians and New Yorkers into a grouping like that. It doesn't work. Face it, California is over 600 miles long. In the northern and eastern parts of the state, there are areas that could be substituted for your MidWest in that joke. The problem is that we all get hung with the image of LA or San Francisco. Neither presents an accurate picture of California. I'm sure that NY has similar complaints about being compared to the NYC image. I'll let someone from there defend their state. BTW, one of my favorite dishes is pan-fried catfish. I think it's about time for a little fishin trip. __________________ If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

04-21-2003, 06:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
rockogre I aim to misbehave! Location: SW Oklahoma	Ah home. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. And all you people from both coasts have accents. __________________ Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

04-21-2003, 06:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
sapiens Junkie Location: Some place windy	Great list! I'm originally from Wisconsin. I can identify with a lot of that post. Though, I never hunted much.

04-21-2003, 06:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	Classic Even though I've lived in both East Coast & Southern Cal. I was born in OKC and still have family there. And I've travel across the US several times. I love this perspective.