If you’ve lived in Ohio your whole life, then you know how tiring it can be explaining our ways of life to newcomers. (For some strange reason, many of them still don’t understand the fact that four designated seasons actually don’t exist in Ohio.)

The following are 13 things longtime Ohioans wish they could tell newcomers. See how many you can relate to:

  1. First of all, that state up north shall never be named.

Brandon King/Flickr Never. Under any circumstances. (And if you’re from there, you should consider going back.)

  1. If it can be decorated, it needs to be Ohio-themed. (Eventually, you’ll understand this.)

Hey Paul Studios/Flickr Clothes, pillows, bags—you name it and we’ve likely got our state name and/or shape on it. We’re proud. <3

  1. Always, always respond with an “I-O” when you hear an “O-H.”

Katrina Cole/Flickr If you stay silent, you’re heartless.

  1. Skyline Chili isn’t for everyone.

tyle_r/Flickr You don’t have to like it. But you should respect the attempt.

  1. There are no designated seasons here.

Erik Drost/Flickr Stop trying to understand it and just accept it. Life isn’t fair.

  1. That being said, you shouldn’t put your patio furniture out until mid-May.

Thomas Lillis IV/Flickr This right here is a surefire rookie mistake.

  1. Don’t let the snow stop you from getting to where you need to be…

Chiot’s Run/Flickr …just be sure to drive with some common sense

  1. DO be prepared for snow anytime, anywhere.

Tach_RedGold&Green/Flickr Again, rookie mistake. NEVER leave home without a snow-brush and ice-scraper. It doesn’t matter if it’s April.

  1. Just because something is spelled a certain way, it doesn’t mean you HAVE to pronounce it that way.

Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr FYI: It’s “Meijer’s,” “Kroger’s” and “JC Penney’s” here.

  1. You will never escape the construction.

Doug Kerr/Flickr Ever. Stop wondering when that highway stretch of orange barrels will end. It won’t.

  1. Be on guard. Always.

memcruch.com If you make it out of one massive pothole alive, you’ll just hit another one. Don’t feel so accomplished.

  1. And don’t underestimate the deer.

State Farm/Flickr They have a death wish.

  1. Ohio really isn’t boring at all.

Ken Lund/Flickr Adventure is always out there. <3

Can you relate? What other things would you add the list? Share your thoughts with us!

Brandon King/Flickr

Never. Under any circumstances. (And if you’re from there, you should consider going back.)

Hey Paul Studios/Flickr

Clothes, pillows, bags—you name it and we’ve likely got our state name and/or shape on it. We’re proud. <3

Katrina Cole/Flickr

If you stay silent, you’re heartless.

tyle_r/Flickr

You don’t have to like it. But you should respect the attempt.

Erik Drost/Flickr

Stop trying to understand it and just accept it. Life isn’t fair.

Thomas Lillis IV/Flickr

This right here is a surefire rookie mistake.

Chiot’s Run/Flickr

…just be sure to drive with some common sense

Tach_RedGold&Green/Flickr

Again, rookie mistake. NEVER leave home without a snow-brush and ice-scraper. It doesn’t matter if it’s April.

Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr

FYI: It’s “Meijer’s,” “Kroger’s” and “JC Penney’s” here.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

Ever. Stop wondering when that highway stretch of orange barrels will end. It won’t.

memcruch.com

If you make it out of one massive pothole alive, you’ll just hit another one. Don’t feel so accomplished.

State Farm/Flickr

They have a death wish.

Ken Lund/Flickr

Adventure is always out there. <3

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