1. You Have a Freezer Full of Meat—Especially Venison
Having a deep freezer in the garage or basement is practically a requirement in the Midwest, according to what Heather Leak wrote for Midwest Prime Farms. Not only does it store bulk meat from Costco runs, but it’s also filled with home-processed deer meat if you know a hunter (which you do). Venison steaks, sausage, and ground deer meat are staples in a true Midwestern household. If you don’t have at least one pack of venison in your freezer, someone will probably offer you some.
Hunting is a big part of Midwest culture, and even if you don’t hunt yourself, you know someone who does. Deer season is practically a holiday in some areas, with schools even letting kids out for the opener. If you turn up your nose at venison chili, you might get some side-eye. And no, it doesn’t “taste gamey” if it’s cooked right.
2. You Don’t Take the Last Slice of Anything—At Least Not Right Away
If you’re at a family gathering or church potluck, you never take the last slice of anything immediately. It has to sit there awkwardly for a bit, as people try to be polite and pretend they don’t want it. Eventually, someone will cut it in half, then someone else will cut that half in half, and so on. This goes for pizza, pie, or even a lone dinner roll sitting in the basket.
It’s a mix of politeness and a fear of looking too greedy. Even if everyone secretly wants that last piece, it’s bad form to grab it without hesitation. Eventually, someone will break the tension and take it—but not before a few rounds of “Oh, you have it!” “No, no, you go ahead!” It’s an unspoken game, and if you play it right, you’re a true Midwesterner.
3. You Wave at Everyone—Even Strangers
The “Midwest wave” isn’t just for friends and neighbors—it’s for absolutely anyone you pass. Whether you’re driving down a country road, walking through town, or even just making eye contact in the grocery store, you give a nod, a wave, or at least a little smile. Ignoring someone completely? That’s just plain rude.
If you’re in a car, a simple two-finger lift off the steering wheel counts as a proper greeting, Jeff Rawson explains in The Scout. If you’re walking, a casual nod and a “hey there” will suffice. The idea is to acknowledge people, even if you don’t know them from Adam. If someone waves at you first, you better wave back, or risk being labeled as “not from around here.”
4. You Call It a “Supper” Instead of Dinner
Dinner is what city folks eat—Midwesterners have supper, Barb Bierman Batie writes in the Midwest Messenger. It’s not a hard rule, but in many rural areas, the evening meal is still called “supper,” while “dinner” refers to the big meal you eat around noon. This can cause a little confusion for outsiders who assume dinner always happens at night. But if Grandma says “come over for Sunday dinner,” you better show up hungry by 12:30 p.m.
It comes from old farming traditions when the biggest meal was served midday to fuel the rest of the workday. Supper, then, was a lighter meal, often sandwiches or leftovers. While the term is fading with younger generations, you’ll still hear it in small towns. And if you say “supper” instead of “dinner,” you’ll fit right in.
5. You Have an Unshakable Loyalty to Ranch Dressing
Ranch isn’t just a salad dressing in the Midwest—it’s a way of life. It goes on everything: pizza, fries, chicken tenders, and even some casseroles. If you ask for ranch at a restaurant, no one bats an eye because it’s expected, Stephanie Friedman explains in Tasting Table. If a place doesn’t have it, though, there will be some serious disappointment.
Some Midwesterners even get picky about which brand is best (Hidden Valley is the gold standard, but homemade versions get high praise too). If you’re dipping your pizza in marinara instead of ranch, you might get some strange looks. And if you don’t like ranch at all? You might want to keep that to yourself.
6. You Bring a Casserole to Every Gathering
If there’s a potluck, a funeral, or even just a casual get-together, you better show up with a casserole. It doesn’t matter what’s in it—cheese, potatoes, some kind of canned soup, and maybe a little meat will do. Bonus points if it’s topped with crushed crackers or tater tots. If you bring a salad, it better be the kind with Jell-O and Cool Whip.
Casseroles are the backbone of Midwestern hospitality. They’re easy to make, they feed a crowd, and they hold up well in the fridge for leftovers. Plus, nothing says “I’m thinking of you” like dropping off a piping hot dish of cheesy goodness. If you ever find yourself without a casserole dish, you may need to reevaluate your Midwest status.
7. You Say “Ope” Whenever You Slightly Inconvenience Yourself or Others
“Ope, let me just squeeze past ya” is the unofficial motto of the Midwest, Daphne Lemke explains in Oshkosh Northwestern. If you bump into someone, drop something, or even just feel like you’re mildly in the way, a quick “ope” slips out. It’s a weird little word that doesn’t really mean anything, but every Midwesterner instinctively says it. If you don’t, people will wonder where you’re really from.
It’s a mix of politeness and passive communication, which is a key Midwest trait. “Ope” can also be an alert sound—like when you realize you left your coffee on top of your car. You might say it before correcting a mistake or as a way to downplay an awkward moment. Either way, if “ope” isn’t in your vocabulary, you’re not a real Midwesterner.
8. You Know That “Midwest Nice” Is a Real Thing—But So Is the “Midwest Goodbye”
Midwesterners are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet—until you try to leave their house. A simple goodbye is never enough; you have to go through a process that can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. First, there’s the initial “Welp, better get going,” followed by everyone standing up but not actually leaving. Then come the lingering conversations at the door, the discussion about the weather, and possibly walking you to your car.
Even then, you might roll down your window for one more round of chit-chat. It’s an unspoken rule that no one just leaves without a drawn-out farewell. If you try to make a swift exit, you’ll confuse and possibly offend your host. The Midwest goodbye isn’t just a habit—it’s a tradition.
9. You Treat a Blizzard Like an Inconvenience, Not an Emergency
Midwesterners don’t panic when they hear a snowstorm is coming. Instead of shutting everything down, they just throw an extra blanket in the car, make sure they have enough milk and bread, and go about their business. Schools might close if things get really bad, but most people still find a way to work. If you grew up here, you’ve probably driven through a whiteout at least once.
The only time Midwesterners really complain about winter is when the snowblower won’t start. Otherwise, it’s just another season to deal with. Snow days are seen as a chance to get things done, not an excuse to stay inside. And if you call off work because of snow, be prepared for some judgment.
10. You Apologize for Everything—Even When It’s Not Your Fault
If you bump into someone, you say sorry. If they bump into you, you also say sorry. If you and another person reach for something at the same time, you both apologize and insist the other go first. This isn’t just politeness—it’s a deeply ingrained reflex.
Midwesterners have perfected the art of apologizing for things they have no control over. It’s less about guilt and more about keeping interactions as smooth as possible. Even if you’re the one being inconvenienced, you’ll still say, “Oh, I’m sorry about that.” If you don’t over-apologize at least once a day, you’re probably not from around here.
11. You Always Have an Emergency Snack Stash in Your Car
If you pop open the glove box or center console of a true Midwesterner’s car, you’ll probably find granola bars, fruit snacks, or some beef jerky. It’s just common sense—Midwestern drives can be long, and you never know when you’ll get stuck in traffic or bad weather. Even if you’re just driving into town, it’s good to be prepared. Nobody likes being caught without a snack.
This is especially true in winter when road conditions can change in an instant. A real Midwesterner always has a couple of extra water bottles and maybe even a blanket, just in case. It’s less about fear and more about practicality. If you’ve never pulled a slightly melted chocolate bar out of your car’s cup holder, are you even Midwest?
12. You Give Directions Using Landmarks, Not Street Names
In the Midwest, GPS is optional because everyone gives directions based on landmarks. Instead of saying, “Turn left on Main Street,” you’ll hear, “Go past the old gas station, then take a right after the big red barn.” If something used to be a Dairy Queen 20 years ago, that’s still a valid point of reference. And if you ask for directions, expect to hear something like, “Oh, it’s just a little ways down the road.”
It’s all part of the Midwest’s rural charm. Many towns have roads that change names randomly or don’t follow a logical grid. People rely on what they recognize rather than what’s on a map. If you’ve ever told someone, “It’s right past where the Kmart used to be,” you’re officially one of us.
13. You Know That Cornfields Are More Than Just Scenery
Corn isn’t just a crop in the Midwest—it’s part of the identity. If you’ve ever found yourself driving through endless fields of corn and felt oddly comforted, you might be a true Midwesterner. Cornfields aren’t just for farming; they’re also the backdrop for summer bonfires, hide-and-seek games, and the occasional spooky urban legend. There’s a reason why so many horror movies are set in them.
Midwesterners also have an unspoken talent for knowing what stage corn is at just by glancing at it. “Knee-high by the Fourth of July” is a real measurement, not just a saying. And yes, we do occasionally pull over to check if it’s sweet corn season. Because nothing beats fresh corn on the cob straight from a roadside stand.
14. You Know the Weather Can Change in Five Minutes—And You Dress Accordingly
If you live in the Midwest, you know that checking the forecast is basically pointless. It might be sunny and 60 degrees in the morning, snowing by noon, and then warm again by dinner. That’s why layering is a way of life—you never leave the house without a jacket, even in July. And if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.
This unpredictability makes Midwesterners masters of preparedness. It’s not uncommon to see someone in flip-flops and a hoodie in December, or a winter coat on a cool summer night “just in case.” Tornado sirens? We’ll casually check outside before deciding whether to go to the basement. If you’ve ever shoveled snow while wearing shorts, congratulations—you’re one of us.
15. You Understand That Pop Is the Only Correct Word for Soda
If you’re from the Midwest, you call it “pop.” Not soda, not Coke—just pop. This is one of the biggest giveaways of a true Midwesterner, and the debate gets surprisingly heated. If you order a “soda” in some parts, people will look at you funny.
The word “pop” is just part of the Midwest dialect, and most people don’t even think twice about it. The only exception is if you’re from the St. Louis area, where people lean toward “soda.” But for the rest of us, it’ll always be pop. And yes, we will judge you if you call it anything else.
