Chicago Stereotypes: It's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

You have switched from "heat" to "A/C" in the sameday and back again.

I’ve been known to have my A/C on during December. That’s a fault of the building, not the weather. It’s not unheard of to experience all four seasons in the span of 24 hours. At 3 p.m. it could be 89 and by 7 a.m. it’s 31. I think Mother Nature has a warped sense of humor or just really enjoys pissing off Chicagoans. 
If people ask what type of clothes to pack when they visit, I recommend a little bit of everything. They think I’m joking. If they only knew…

...You're going 80 and everybody is passing you.

See? You thought I was over-reacting in the last one didn’t you? No matter how fast I’m going there is someone else who’s going faster. 

You call shoes 'gym shoes' and not sneakers...

I do. All the time. I don’t think I’ve ever said sneakers before except for when I’m telling people “they’re not sneakers, they’re gym shoes.” 

The "Living Room" is called the "front room"

Growing up I’ve always known it to be “front room,” never “living room.” I feel like not many other people say it anymore so I am trying to force myself to call it a living room. After all, not all “front” rooms are in the front of the building anymore. 

You pluralize grocery stores and retail chains.

I personally don’t do this, but my dad does. He’ll ask, “Hey Jenn, want to come with me to the Jewels?” Are we going to more than one? 

You know a good gyros joint.

Eff yeah I do! I might not know the correct way to say it (is it guy-ros, yir-ros?), but I can point you in the direction of great gyros joints. Chicago might not be known for it, but I’d gladly take a gyros over a deep-dish pizza.

It's January and you see someone's kitchen chair in the street, and you know that if you're a responsible citizen and bring it back to the sidewalk you will be shot on sight

Ugh this is the worst. I’m torn on the subject. On one hand I can see why you’d want to save your spot. There’s never enough parking no matter where you live in Chicago. In the middle of January the last thing you want to do is walk four blocks from your car to your apartment. But on the other hand, first come first serve! Finders keepers, losers weepers. 

You know what Kennedy, Dan Ryan, Eisenhower, Edens, and Bishop Ford, have in common...

Let me learn you. These are all highways. I think I might be one of the only Chicagoans who uses the numbers more often than the names that they represent. I suppose more Chicagoans use them interchangeably. If you expect to travel by car in Chicago, I suggest you’re able to as well.
Kennedy: I-90Dan Ryan: I-94Eisenhower I-290Edens: The main major expressway north from the city. For most of its length, the Edens carries I-94 (confusing eh?)Bishop Ford: Portion of I-94 in northeastern Illinois south of downtown Chicago.Stevenson: I-55

"The Super Bowl" refers to one specific game in a series of 35 played in January of 1986

I refuse to think of any other Super Bowl. 
Stupid Peyton Manning…

You think going to a Bears game in single digit temperatures with a wind off the lake (and freezing rain) is fun.

I’ve only been to one winter game. We sat near the very top of the stadium. The wind assaulted my face. My feet were frozen and it hurt to walk. By the time the hot chocolate got to us, it was more like luke-warm chocolate. We were completely miserable, but the Bears won. It was totally worth it.

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