It isn’t just the physical space that makes up a city. Quirks, eccentricities and things unique to a region is what give a place character and originality. So, while some of these things and sayings that are only normal in Cleveland might be odd, they’re what make Cleveland, well, Cleveland.
It isn’t just the physical space that makes up a city. Quirks, eccentricities and things unique to a region is what give a place character and originality. So, while some of these things and sayings that are only normal in Cleveland might be odd, they’re what make Cleveland, well, Cleveland.
We Absolutely Love And Absolutely Hate Blossom Music Center
There’s nothing like a beautiful summer night at Blossom, seeing the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra or whatever band is touring that summer. But getting in and out and driving out to the venue? Yuck. We’d rather not go. But, think about the setting, the sound. OK, we’re in. Maybe.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThinking “Traffic Was Terrible,” When You Only Had To Wait 10 Minutes
Your ride was 40 minutes instead of 32? Oh man. What a travesty! We can’t believe you had to sit in traffic so bad. Friends, compared to New York or Los Angeles, that ain’t nothing.
Photo via @NativeArtzCle/InstagramThere Could Be A Blizzard On The East Side And The West Side Didn’t Get One Snowflake
Because of the difference in elevation between the two sides of town, a winter storm could easily attack the east side while leaving the west side without an ounce of snow. Just a normal winter day in Cleveland.
Photo via Wikipedia Credit: Emanuel WallaceGoing to the islands means Put-In-Bay or Kelleys IslandKnowing the Term “Polish Boy” Doesn’t Mean A Young Man From Poland
Grilled sausage, french fries, cole slaw and barbecue or hot sauce on a hoagie? That started in Cleveland and you can get Polish Boys all over the city.
Photo via WikipediaKnowing Every Local Commercial
‘Garfield 1-2-3-2-3, Garfield 1-2-3-2-3’, ‘Universalllll Winnndoows Direct’, ‘I’m Bob Serpentini, Serpentini Chevrolet’, ‘The Ganley Man Cannn’, ‘Discount Drug Mart saves you the run-around’, ‘I-X-Indoor-Amusement-Park.’ We know you sang or said all of those. Don’t forget Tim Misny and Elk and Elk. And Clevelanders favorite, ‘Liberty’s in Solon, Maple Heights, Brunswick, Parma Heights, Vermillion, hummmmmmmmmmm.’
Photo via WikipediaCelebrating Being on National Publications’ Best of Lists
If any national publication wants a surefire way of having their articles shared by every Clevelander, put Cleveland on a best-of-whatever list and watch the article go viral. Up-and-coming cities, best art scene, best foodie scene, best tiddlywinks scene, whatever, we want to be on it.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCalling Our Stadiums By Names From 10+ Years Ago
The place Indians play baseball hasn’t been called Jacob’s Field since 2004, but that doesn’t stop Clevelanders from still calling it ‘The Jake’, which brings to mind memories of those beloved ’90s teams. And you still call Quicken Loans Arena “Gund Arena”? Move on already.
Photo by Brett ZelmanHigh School Football As Religion
Ignatius-Eds. Brunswick-Strongsville. Chagrin Falls-Aurora. Say those words to any Clevelander and they’ll know you’re referring to the cult following that is Northeast Ohio high school football.
Photo via Erik Drost/FlickrLoving Our Pathetic Football Franchise Even When The Other Teams Are Title Contenders
Tribe are World Series contenders? Cavaliers going to four straight NBA Finals? You’d think that would make them 1a and 1b as far as popularity in town. Nope. The Browns, coming off a historically bad 1-31 record over the last two seasons, are still, ridiculously, the No. 1 team in town.
Photo via Scene ArchivesVociferously Debating East Side vs. West Side
We’re all Clevelanders, it doesn’t really matter which side is the best. (We know, it’s whatever side you’re from.)
Photo via WikipediaKnowing Fall Is Here Means Clambake Season
If it’s fall in Northeast Ohio and you haven’t been to a clambake, what are you even doing?
Photo via Scene ArchivesConsider A Road With Only One Or Two Potholes A Really Smooth Ride
Yes! I only hit one pothole! That was the smoothest ride I’ve ever taken in Cleveland. By far.
Photo via Scene ArchivesYou have a Malley’s bumper sticker but you’re not sure why Credit: Scene ArchivesThink That The Browns Will Make The Playoffs
It doesn’t matter how pathetic this franchise is, year after year, decade after decade. When August comes around, those who blindly love the Browns, no matter what, still believe the team will make the playoffs. And that’s the more rational fans! The crazier ones always believe they’re going to the Super Bowl.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKnowing Every Word To Bone Thugs N’ Harmony’s ‘E. 1999 Eternal’ Album
Don’t lie, we’ve all shouted out ‘East 1999th’ at some point of our life. And we miss our Uncle Charles.
Photo via WikipediaNot Having To Worry About Finding A Good Doctor
We’re in Cleveland. With the Clinic and UH, if you can’t find a doctor for whatever ails you, that’s on you. Because they’re here.
Photo via Scene ArchivesA Huge Catholic Celebration is One of the Big Events Of the Summer
Everyone is Italian when The Feast of the Assumption comes around every August. Little Italy, on the border of Cleveland Heights and Cleveland, becomes the place to be, with every restaurant opening a booth on the main drag, selling samples of their delicious Italian food.
Photo via Scene ArchivesWalleye and Perch Are Considered The Best Fish
Well, they might not be the best, but they come from our lake, dammit, so we’ll defend them to the death.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKnowing Every Celebrity From Here
Drew Carey is from Parma, Halle Berry is from Bedford, Monica Potter is from Colinwood, Don King is from Cleveland, Teddy Ginn Jr., is from Glenville, Michael Stanley’s from Rocky River. If there’s a national figure who’s from Cleveland, we’ll point it out every time we see them in the news or on TV. Annoying? Oh well.
Photo via WikipediaDebating Which Stadium Mustard Is Better
If you have a strong opinion on Stadium Mustard vs. Ballpark Mustard, well, you’re a Clevelander.
Photo via Scene ArchivesWhen You Hear The Name ‘John Adams’ You Don’t Think Of The President
That’s because you think of this guy.
Photo via Scene Archives
