Detroit is the subject of plenty of stereotypes — many of which are less than positive. When out-out-town friends visit us here in the Motor City, many of them are surprised by what they find. Here are nine things Detroiters regularly find themselves explaining to first-time Motor City visitors.
We’ve got nothing about ketchup, but it certainly doesn’t belong on a delicious coney dog! We Detroiters are proud to be the home of such a tasty food item, and we can’t help but cringe when we see it soiled by that silly red sauce. Don’t worry, out of towners: we’re always here to make sure you don’t ruin your coney.
Unless you count the middle of the Detroit River… or Windsor. That famous line in "Don’t Stop Believing" is certainly fun to sing along with, but it’s inaccurate. When our friends come to town hoping to tour the "real" South Detroit, they’re sorely disappointed.
See that land just across the Ambassador Bridge? That’s Canada! Many people don’t believe us when we say that we’re a literal stone’s throw away from the border, but we mean it: Canadians are our neighbors through and through. In fact, many Detroiters cross the bridge to work in Windsor each and every day.
Our non-Detroit friends might find it hard to understand why we continue to support the Lions, despite the fact that they’ve let us down time and time again. Motor City takes sports seriously, and that means we stick by our teams: from the Tigers to the Red Wings to the Pistons to — yes — the Lions, we’re unwavering in our support.
When you’re in Detroit (and, really, Michigan as a whole), you’ll get some odd glances if you try and order a "soda." Perhaps it’s because we’re the creators of Faygo Redpop, or maybe it’s just that Midwestern tradition, but we’re fairly strict when it comes to what we call our favorite fizzy beverages.
"It’s so cold in the D." But seriously, it’s COLD here. Detroit winters are no joke, and every Detroiter has hosted an out-of-town friend who takes the "bundle up" suggestion as more of a guideline instead of a rule. Trust us when we say that winter in the Motor City can be brutal, and you’ll want to dress in heavy layers during your visit.
Most people don’t immediately think "art" when they picture Detroit, but we’re proud of our city’s artistic prowess. From the DIA to the city-commissioned graffiti along the Dequindre Cut, there’s something here to impress every sort of art enthusiast. We love showing off the talents of our fellow Detroiters to out-of-town friends.
8. No, we aren’t all close personal friends with Eminem.
Nor do we all live on 8 Mile. If you’re a Detroiter, you’ve certainly been asked about Eminem at least once. While we’re proud to be home to this musical talent, he’s not the only famous person to come out of the Motor City — artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and the late, great Aaliyah also once called Detroit home. Eminem is just one of many.
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9. Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about Detroit.
Sure, Detroit has had its fair share of difficulties. From economic struggles to widespread abandonment and crime, the Motor City has dealt with all sorts of negativity. That said, ours is a city on the rise. When visitors come to Detroit, they might enter with a handful of preconceived notions — and it’s our job to prove that despite our past, we’re always looking toward a better, brighter future.
How many times have you explain these things to first-time visitors to Detroit? Are there any questions you find yourself answering constantly? What little tidbits do you wish all out-of-towers knew about the Motor City? Let us know in the comments below!
