Who are the people behind the red, white and baby blue flag? Who are these people who put up with months of formidable winter just to bask in a few short months of glorious summer rays? What makes someone a true Chicagoan? What is it about the people that make the Second City feel like home?
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
When you land in O’Hare, it may be difficult to get past the hustle and bustle of the busy city airport. It might not seem approachable at first, but don’t let that fool you. Once you brave the elements and start to mingle with the natives, one word will automatically come to mind: friendly. No matter if you’re visiting a pub alone or walking down the street, people are always ready to strike up a lively conversation or even just give a hearty “Hello!” There’s something about the city that still feels authentically Irish—going to a pub, meeting strangers, having a good laugh and a good drink, and then leaving at the end of the night with a host of new friends. It’s hard to stay lonely in such a welcoming city. Chicago’s proverbial arms are outstretched to whoever is willing to embrace it.
Ain’t No Snow Mound High Enough
We’re hearty. No, really. While there are other places that have far worse winters (sorry about that, Russia), we’ve put up with two polar vortexes, massive Lake Shore Drive-closing blizzards and winters that last the majority of the year. Not to mention the fact that nothing shuts down just because there’s snow up to your shoulders. Yet, people still love living in Chicago. It might be something about the marvelous summers that makes everyone forget about the miserable winter they just braved. Chicagoans notoriously experience winter amnesia. However, no matter how much snow and ice is piled up in rocky sheets across the sidewalks or how many hand warmers you have to cram into your gloves, Chicagoans don’t hunker down. They are dedicated to living their lives, no matter what the elements (If -45 degrees doesn’t stop you, nothing will). Over time, you just learn to buy better coats.
If you work at a bar and have regulars, expect that when snow comes down in buckets (as it so often does), your regulars will take turns shoveling your walk for no other reason than the fact that they love having a friendly place to frequent night after night.
You Get What You Give
Chicagoans are some of the most generous people you’ll encounter. You might meet a stranger on the El and strike up a conversation about the book he’s reading. Don’t be surprised if he just gives you that book in the hopes that you will read it, enjoy it and pass it on to someone else (this has happened on more than one occasion). People in Chicago love the pay-it-forward mentality.
Also, when you start to make friends with true Chicagoans, you’ll realize the amazing acts of kindness that can happen when you least expect it. I’ve even known people who were burglarized who, in the same week, received laptops from customers and friendly patrons just because they sympathized with their plight. The generosity in this city can be astonishing, and it often reminds you that there is still good in the world. When this laptop story was relayed to me, my immediate response was, “Only in Chicago,” to which everyone at the table emphatically said, “YES!” A table full of both natives and non-locals alike agreed that these magical acts are often unique to this good ol’ city.
What it boils down to is that Chicagoans take care of each other. Despite living in a city of over 2.7 million people, we treat each other like family. And for someone who is a transplant, this makes all the difference.
