If you’re like most Wisconsinites, every time you travel or have folks in for a visit, they have a ton of questions about what it’s like to live in Wisconsin — especially in the winter. Living in Wisconsin can be a pretty unique and awesome experience, especially if you adore magical landscapes, friendly locals, and fantastic cheese. Nonetheless, there are some persisting stereotypes about Wisconsin… and we locals aren’t afraid to discuss them. Here are some of the things Wisconsinites always have to explain to folks not from ’round these parts:
1. Yes, we go to work and school when it snows. No, nothing really shuts down. Yes, we're more likely to close for extreme cold.
When the weather man tells you not to step out of the house with exposed skin... well, some of us do it anyway. And, truly? It wouldn't be that bad if not for the wind chill.
Look at one of those soda vs. pop maps and Wisconsin is an oasis in the midst of a desert of folks using the wrong word for fizzy drinks. We Wisconsinites know what's up, and our vernacular reflects that proudly.
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3. The opening day of deer hunting season is a holiday.
Built more for speed and ease than some of those down south tailgates, ours are all about the brats and beer and warming yourself around the grill.
So maybe it snowed for opening day last year, maybe it'll snow this year. Either way, cars will still line up an hour before the gates opened.
5. After security in the airport, there is a recombobulation area.
At this point, these signs in Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee have to be some of the most photographed in the state. But they're also hilarious and not wrong.
Forget Glastonbury, Coachella and Bonnaroo, Wisconsin actually has the World's Biggest Music Festival... And a few hundred other festivals to keep you busy year-round.
Wisconsin is known for beer, but we also really love brandy. Especially in our old fashioneds - but also in our slushies, Alexanders, and coffee. Korbel says a third of their total production comes to the Dairy State. Legends talk of contingents of Badger fans traveling to football bowl games and drinking towns dry of their brandy.
8. Need a bit of water from a public fountain - Yeah, that's a bubbler.
Wisconsin and a few spotty places out east are the only places that use this term for a drinking fountain, but that doesn't stop us from assuming everyone knows what we mean when we ask where the bubbler is. The story goes that Bubbler was actually a brand name that became ubiquitous, but it might also be the name of the component from which the water flows. Either way, this is a pretty uniquely Wisconsin word.
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9. We love a good Friday Fish Fry -- and we have them year-round.
The Wisconsin fish fry has roots in the Lenten tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays. Fried things are delicious, easy to do en masse, and don't require cooking expertise. They've remained a stalwart because they're delicious... and nothing will stop us from digging in outside of the Lenten season.
Ok, so the line moves faster than that, but cream puffs are sacred here. Served just during the 10 days of the state fair, they represent all that is right about living in America's Dairyland.
The Bears and Packers are two of the oldest teams in the country, so the rivalry is natural. Just like extending that hate to division-mates The Cubs comes as easy as breathing.
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14. But when it comes to college sports, it's Minnesota that we hate.
You know that in the summer, it's always cooler by the lake. Bring a sweatshirt, even in July. You'll need it. In the winter, it'll snow along the coast, but not just a few miles inland. Lake Michigan doesn't really freeze over and those warmer waters wreak all kinds of havoc on our weather. Bonus points if you've ever had to explain what lake effect is to an out-of-towner.
17. Up North is more than a (vague) location - it's a state of mind.
Everyone knows someone with a cabin "up north'" and we head there every weekend in the summer and even a few weekends in the winter. Up North is about supper clubs and a slower way of life. It's fishing from the pier and small town life.
I mean, we live here, so I'd take our word on how to pronounce it.
There are many stereotypes about Wisconsin, but we locals aren’t afraid to put you in your place about proper pronunciation of cherished words. We’re absolutely grateful for our cheese selection, and we love a good tailgating cookout. We also unashamedly adore our state, and these quirky traits make it a particularly magical place to live. How many of these things have you had to explain to people who aren’t from around here? Share your experiences in the comments!
Love living here in The Badger State? You’re not alone, and we locals also rank among the most patriotic in the nation.
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Stereotypes About Wisconsin
Nikki Rhoades|January 19, 2020
What are some interesting things about Wisconsin?
Welcome to The Badger State, an underappreciated slice of paradise hiding in the unsuspecting Great Lakes region. There are many interesting things about Wisconsin, like the origin of our aforementioned nickname, for example. In the midst of the local mining boom, immigrants and transplants alike flooded to lead-rich regions like Mineral Point and often camped in the holes they dug… yes, like badgers.
What are Wisconsinites known for?
The most obvious perk of living in Wisconsin is our devotion to (and love of) quality cheese. They truly don’t call us America's Dairyland for nothing! One thing you may not know, however, is that we’re home to the world's oldest racetrack in consistent use. If you share our need for speed, we recommend a visit to a one-mile long go-kart track called US Air Motorsports.
What is the most popular Wisconsin stereotype?
Perhaps the most well-known stereotype about Wisconsinites is our adoration of our home state. Though America’s Dairyland may not sound glamorous, it’s home, it’s gorgeous, and we love it here!
