Midwestern Subtlety

Did you ever notice the regional pride that some Americans exhibit? Depending on where you live in the United States, you'll pride yourself on those things peculiar to your area. East Coast it's often seafood, like lobster boils or clam bakes. The Southwest has it's cowboy boots and Navajo art. And naturally, we can't leave out the Southerners with their sweet tea and hos-pi-tal-i-ty. Everyone's got there schtick and some more than others. But what about those of us here in the Midwest? What's our trademark? Corn? Yeah, right.

I think it's harder to pinpoint the traits of Midwesterners because foremost among them is subtlety. We don't parade our Midwesternness around. We don't busy ourselves touting the benefits of living where we do. We don't brag on the features that make us unique among American. We don't wax eloquent over our traditions. We don't blow our horns about the great foods we make. And we have no twangs or drawls or other accents to make us stand out. Yes, Midwesterners have mastered the art of subtlety.

However, I'm going to be a little no-so-subtle for a moment and actually tell you about two things that the Midwest can lay claim to that might matter right now.

• Number 1: when you need help figuring out just how long to thaw that turkey or what you should baste it with, who are you going to call? Okay, so maybe you'll call Mom. But millions of other Americans will be calling the turkey hotline at Butterball U. And guess who will be answering? Some wonderful ladies right here in our fair city of Naperville. 'Cuz folks, if anybody can talk turkey, it's us Midwesterners, vanilla accent and all. Actually that's part of the appeal to having the hotline manned here - we're easy to understand by anyone anywhere. No burnt turkey because you misheard that twangy phone operator. Just some friendly Midwestern advice, given for free. That's how we are here.
  
• Number 2: Glee fans, did you know that it's probably no accident that the show is set in Ohio? Midwest Living magazine points out that 22 of the top 25 show choirs hail from high schools right here in the Midwest. Yup, we can sing too!

And now you know. Us Midwesterners might not always tell you about it, but it's pretty cool living here. We have plenty of great things to see and do and be. But we're not going to beat you over the head with them. We'll just sit back and relax and wait for you to discover them for yourselves. Most of the time.


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