Chicagoans are tough, but even we cringe at some things. There are just certain traditions here you don’t break if you want to keep a city resident happy. While you may feel the urge to turn away, we encourage you to check out 14 things that make Chicagoans a little uncomfortable.

1. When the bus is late.
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Schwen
You're already late to work, and even though every bus tracker says the thing will arrive on time, it's still 15 minutes late. Nothing makes your commute more frustrating than unreliable public transportation.
2. Metered parking.
MaxPixel / Public Domain
It's everywhere in the city, which is one of the main reasons many take the bus or train. Some days it can be hard to just find a spot in the first place, and then you'll have to dig out quarters and hope the machine is working.
3. Street parking.
Wikimedia Commons/Mr. Granger
Though free (unless it's a permit street), parking on the street is another thing that makes Chicagoans cringe. This is where cars get jacked, towed, ticketed, side swiped, and even plowed in. The lucky few have garages or lots to use.
4. Moving a "dibs" chair.
Flickr/meryddian
Speaking of getting plowed in, Chicagoans take "dibs" very seriously. When someone shovels their car out of a wall of snow, they feel entitled to that spot when they return, hence the chairs. Moving these markers to park your car could result in some unfortunate circumstances.
5. Driving in bad weather.
Wikimedia Commons/David Wilson
No matter how skilled or confident you are at driving in the snow or rain, too many other people on the road are certainly not. Half of traffic decides to slow by 10 miles per hour, while others still try to zoom between cars, causing all sorts of accidents.
6. Driving in traffic in general.
Wikimedia Commons/Rhett Sutphin
Trying to get anywhere in Chicago is like rowing a boat through pudding. Due to traffic, street lights, and morons, it can take 20 minutes just go five miles sometimes.
7. Tourists.
Flickr/(vincent desjardins)
Nothing makes Chicagoans cringe more than overly excited, overly confused, overly oblivious visitors who flock our city daily. We try our best to avoid places like Millennium Park and Wrigley Field during peak tourist season.

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8. Blocking the escalator for the train.
Wikimedia Commons/Rept0n1x
Coming in or out of a CTA station, there is a chance you'll use an escalator, and there are rules. If you're going to just stand still the whole time, stay to the right so that those who wish to walk up the steps can slide by you on the left. This applies to moving walkways at the airports as well.
9. Holding up the line at the airport.
Flickr/Wesley Fryer
Speaking of which, one of the most annoying things to see at a Chicago airport is someone trying to check too many bags or bring something they aren't supposed to have. Things would go much more smoothly if everyone would just read the rules for their airlines ahead of time!
10. Ketchup on a hot dog.
MaxPixel / Public Domain
While there are certainly some Chicagoans who don't mind this condiment, most of us will turn away if you eat a hot dog this way... it's just painful to watch. Mustard is the only thing allowed unless you also "drag it through the garden."
11. Saying New York pizza is better than Chicago.
Flickr/Navin75
This is so not true, and hearing this will make us cringe more than just about anything. New York pizza is fine, but it is nowhere near as diverse as our city. Not only are we famous for deep-dish pizzas, we also do a delicious job with stuffed, pan, and thin crust varieties as well.
12. Picking up deep-dish with your hands.
Wikimedia Commons/Belinda Hankins Miller
While there are some pizzas you can eat with your hands, a Chicago deep-dish is not one of them. These hearty, messy slices are fork-and-knife material, and you'll probably want to keep a napkin or two nearby.
13. Listening to the weather.
Wikimedia Commons/WGN Radio and Television
It's hardly ever accurate anyway, and unless it's summer, the news is likely not good. This time of year, we're expecting it to be cold, snowy, windy, and awful anyway.
14. Changing the names of landmarks.
MaxPixel/Public Domain
Sometimes things in Chicago get renamed, and most are uncomfortable with this change. Even after nearly a decade of being renamed Willis Tower, most citizens still refer to the city's tallest skyscraper as the Sears Tower.

Another thing that makes us uneasy? When people pronounce things wrong. Check out these nine weird names of towns near Chicago.

What else makes you cringe? Share your thoughts with us!

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