This Is How Locals Do It

There’s always a peculiar trait that makes you a Local.

• New Yorker – it’s when your daily schedule exceeds what an above-average efficient person hardly accomplishes in a month.
• Californian – it’s when avocado is the major ingredient of your 4th of July BBQs.
• Southern Fella – it’s when a warm hug is exchanged before your business card.In order to be a Chicagoan, you need to have experienced and survived a Midwestern winter!

I’m from a place where 45 F is considered one of the ten plagues of Egypt and I found it very curious that the first question I was asked after I moved to the Windy City was: “Have you had your first winter yet?” No interest whatsoever on how I liked Navy Pier or if I took the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River; no one even mentioned I should absolutely go to the Art Institute or recommended I buy Lollapalooza tickets a year in advance. Everyone’s concern (Midwesterners are known to be very caring people) was my lack of winter experience. Puzzled and confused as I was, I didn’t want to put too much meaning into it. But unfortunately, November came and it didn’t take long for me to understand why the first winter in Chicago is something that people remember more than their first love. It certainly leaves a deeper mark. All of a sudden, all your priorities change:

Not sympathy but snow gear expertise is the skill you are looking for in friends.

Not lake view but being able to watch the bus approaching from inside the hallway of your building becomes a key feature.

Fancy and sexy is not how you want to look anymore; shabby works just perfect, as long as you are not freezing!

The Sirius XM subscription can expire but the Bluetooth remote start to activate your car seat heater can’t!

This is why in Chicago “Have a nice day” has officially been replaced with: “Stay warm, honey – stay warm!”