The region encompasses several towns in Northwest Indiana and borders Illinois and Lake Michigan. It is a unique region (no pun intended) because we are not considered Chicago, but we are also never really accepted as Indiana since we are so different from the rest of the state. Weirdly enough, we are proud of where we came from, and being called a Region Rat gives us an odd sense of pride.

1. You've used the "I'm from Chicago" line when people ask where you're from.

We just give them the shortened version because chances are they have never heard of the town.

2. You call this pop.

And you give people shit for calling it anything else.

3. You root for the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs/Sox.

Who are the Colts, Pacers and Indians?

4. You take frequent trips to Chicago.

The basic Bean (not Cloudgate) selfie never gets old even though you drop a new one every month or so.

5. And when you don't, you chill at the mall.

I don't even have to say which mall, you already know.

6. But when you do drive to Indianapolis, you forget to factor the time change.

Same state, different time zone.

7. You follow the Region Rats on Twitter.

As you scroll through their tweets, the only thing running through you mind is "SAME" as you agree with them.

8. You know your food.

Portillo's has set the standard for hot dogs. Delicious pizza is never hard to find. Chicago's influence in our food is prominent, but local events such as Pierogi Fest bring the community together to appreciate good food.

9. We are used to breathing in all that pollution.

Our lungs are probably 90 percent smog at this point, but we don't notice since it's always been that way.

10. February 19th is a holiday

It's all about Da Region.

11. You are used to and appreciate the diversity in the Region.

People of different cultures and backgrounds call the Region their home. Sometimes, when we travel to other parts of the state, we are baffled when we learn how close minded some people are.