I was born and raised in Ohio, although I did live for a short while in Florida when I was 10. I moved to Michigan when I was 18 to attend Eastern Michigan University.
While I love it here in Michigan and don't plan to move back to Ohio, meeting Michiganders is always interesting. Telling everyone I meet in college that I am from Ohio is often met with the same comments. I am so tired of hearing the unoriginal jokes about the Buckeye state.
While my state isn't perfect, it is definitely not as Michiganders claim it to be. I am reclaiming the jokes and rude comments on my state.
1. "There's nothing to do in Ohio."
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This is just plain false. There are all sorts of things to do in Ohio. Cedar Point, the coolest roller coaster park in the world, is located in Ohio. Kalahari, the African Wildlife Safari, the Cincinnati and Toledo zoos, Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay, Amish country, and so much more is in Ohio.
2. "What is an Ohio State Buckeyes' fan doing up here in University of Michigan territory?"
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To begin, I am not a Buckeyes' fan and I will never be a Buckeyes' fan; why did you just assume I was because I am from Ohio? There are plenty of other teams to root for. I am a Florida State Seminoles fan so there are no issues with me up here in Ann Arbor.
3. "All you have is corn field after corn field."
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As you drive through Ohio, yes, you will see a good amount of cornfields. Ohio also has many small country towns; however, there is plenty of big city action. Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Cleveland are all huge cities with lots of action. Go visit one of them if you want a big city feel!
4. "Your state is the worst!"
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This is just not a nice thing to say. I don't ask you where you are from and tell you it's not a nice place to live so why I am getting the same treatment? Also, I consider my state to be Michigan now after three years of living here so you are actually just calling your own state the worst.
5. "Ohioans drive too slowly..."
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No, Ohioans don't drive slower than Michigan drivers; Ohioan drivers drive more safely than Michigan drivers. Also, the Ohio speed limits are slower. If you want to complain about the 65mph speed limits on the highway, contact the state government; don't blame the drivers obeying the law.
And don't call me a bad driver simply because I am from Ohio. I am not a bad driver and I keep up with all of you Michiganders on the road just fine.
6. "Do you go to Waffle House and Chik-Fil-A all the time?"
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No, I do not go to either of these restaurants. When I was growing up, my mother never let me eat at Waffle House because she found it disgusting (it is) and the nearest Chik-Fil-A was 45 minutes from our house. Now that I am an adult, I don't eat meat so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat Chik-Fil-A and I still find Waffle House disgusting.
When you respond that these places are Ohio staples, so of course you must visit them when you go to Ohio, it sounds to me like you're talking positively about Ohio.
If you are an Ohioan living in Michigan reading this, I know you feel my pain. If you're a Buckeyes' fan, I am sorry! Life has to be hard for you up here!
If you are Michigander, you are not being original with these lame comments. Come up with something better! Or just don't say anything about Ohio at all.
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