So we can put these to rest once and for all
Out-of-state students get the same questions, in a variety of methods, every single day. I’m here to point out those questions so that out-of-staters can think of responses and have them on hand, or so native Wisconsinites can think of some new material.
1. Why Are You Here?
People need to have more pride in this school. It is a great place to be—that’s why I’m here. Most out-of-state students move to go to a great school, meet new people and branch out away from home. If the real answer you want is why an out-of-stater isn’t at their own state school, just ask that. An anonymous out-of-stater on Yik Yak said it best: “the more people ask me why I’m here, the less I know.”
2. Do you know it’s cold here?
No. I had no idea that Wisconsin is cold. It is definitely not the first thing anyone knows about the state. While some may not, a lot of people like winter and would willingly move to experience it. Or, they are moving here to experience winter and see if they like it and can handle it or not. Not everyone is strong enough for a Wisconsin winter. Also, a better question would be whether or not one likes the cold. Before I knew anything about Wisconsin, I knew the winters were frigid.
3. What part?
Any out-of-state student from a known city is always asked which part of the city they’re from. If you’re from Chicago, does it really matter if you live in the suburbs or in the city itself? Does it matter if the part of San Francisco where you are from counts as “The Bay” or not? Most students don’t choose where they are from, and if they’re from the city suburbs, that’s okay. Better than being from the middle of nowhere and having to explain which city is two hours away.
4. How do you say ‘bag’?
Does the way you say bag sounds like ‘bagel’ (bay-gul) or ‘rag’ (ræg)? Pronunciation questions immediately reveal the Wisconsinites from Illinoisans and even more distinctly both from the Floridian or Oregonian. Even the way you read ‘Oregon’ could be different (Ori-gone vs. Or-gin). This one is a little less serious, as it is just as fun for us out-of-staters to fight about whether our drinking water comes from a water fountain or bubbler.
5. How do you pronounce ‘Chetek’?
Of course, I do not know how to say ‘Oconomowoc’ or ‘Fond Du Lac.’ As long as you don’t ask it too much, it is fun to try and epically fail at pronouncing the Native American- and French-named towns. And, as long as you teach me how to say it correctly, it is a great learning experience to discover a little more about Wisconsin culture.
I love that people are so interested in out-of-state perspectives on Wisconsin, but sometimes the same repetitive questions get old. Hopefully this validates the out-of-staters’ annoyance with some of these questions and encourages the Wisconsinites to continue to get to know their classmates from out-of-state in more creative ways.