For Chicago lifers, what’s the rite of passage before a transplant can really consider themselves a Chicagoan (if ever)? I’ve lived here a few years, pay a boatload in taxes, survived the polar vortex, been delayed countless times at ORD, and have eaten a thousand Chicago Dogs (and have opinions about where to find the best). Other than place of birth, what qualities or experiences do you feel make a “Chicagoan”?

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Need to embrace eating pizza in a grid

Need to have an opinion on deep dish pizza

Need to choose cubs or sox and support no matter what

Need to wear shorts in January and share how balmy the weather is

Need to enjoy italian beef

Need to support Da Bears no matter what

Bonus points for growing a Ditka mustache, and do so in a non ironic kind of way

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Ahh, alright I’m close...the Ditka stache will be a good look

Love the city and be proud to be a Chicagoan. And as someone said above, don't be a dick

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Yes. This! If you just love the city and everything our unique neighborhoods have to offer, you’ve made it. Don’t just be the person who lives in the West Loop - Loop - River North bubble.

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Malort shots

likefunnyuplifting

So this happened tonight. I can only describe the flavor as a mix of gasoline and bug spray that seemed to only get worse as the seconds passed. From now on, all my out of town guests will be met at the front door with this before they’re allowed to come in. Welcome to Chicago.

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likeuplifting

We aren’t New York. No need to be unnecessarily elitist.

Live here, experience the city, dive into the culture, don’t be a dick, and F the Packers.

Boom. You’re a Chicagoan.

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I’ve done one of these two...I’ll let you figure out which one 😳

Once you learn the street grid system you’re golden.

Also, don’t say stupid things like “the south side is scary”, as if it’s a monolith.

likehelpful

This

Join the cult of giardiniera

likefunny

What’s your opinion on fried Giardiniera? Love it but unclear how Chicago it is.

When a tourist on Michigan Avenue asks me for directions.

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Happened to me once...in hindsight I ended up giving terrible directions. But maybe that’s more because I’m directionally challenged. 🤷‍♂️

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Know the names of the michigan ave interesections and which direction the streets go!

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Does Portillo's count? Been here 3 years, and not sure.

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I love portillos

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Spend extensive time in the regular communities of Chicagoans were 90% of Chicagoans live instead of the upper scale areas with high percentages of transplants.. that’s how you see the fabric of the people.

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What are some areas you’d recommend? Any specific restaurants or bars? Or anything else to check out?

Honestly... leaving... you can live anywhere now man so many better places. Nice place for a couple years but horrible weather and after 3 years you’ve been to every bar / food / culture spot in the city.

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There’s like maybe 2 cities in the US (NYC, maybe LA for food) with more/better bars/food/culture... and in any case, sorry you had a bad time in Chicago, but OP’s not asking about your opinion of Chicago.

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When you know that State Street defines East or West prefixed addresses and Madison defines North and South addresses.

Also when you know the Michigan Ave intersections in the loop are the order of US Presidents.

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Ahh, yeah I think I’ve heard of this before. Makes sense. Thx!

You say ‘Chicawwwgo’ and don’t even realize it.

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And I pronounce it Paul-line-a and not Paul-lean-a...Bona fide Chicagoan

For me it was when I could confidently recognize when someone was naming a neighborhood vs a suburb consistently

Vote twice

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