Biggest Midwest Culture Shocks I Notice AFTER AFTER IN NEW YORK CITY

When I Fly Out of New York City, The Airport is Always Packed, With Long Security Lines and Crowds by the Gate. When I Land at General Mitchell International Airport in My Hometown of Milwaukee, The Airport SEEMS EMPTY IN Comparison.

Compared to New York City 8.4 Million Residents, Milwaukee’s Population of Around 577,000 People Means that the City Feels Towded Overall.

Upon Landing in the Milwaukee Airport, I offen Hear Locals Talking About Picking Up Their Luggage at Baggage CLAIM, pronounced “Bay-Gage CLAIM.” We reference to the wholesale retailer Costco, Wisconsinites Call it “Cah-Stoa.”

I’ve lost my midwestern Accent after living in new york City for more than a decade, but i still recognize it immediately when i Home.

New York Banned Plastic Shopping Bags in 2020 – One of Several States to do so. I’ve Become so used to bringing my own reusable bags on errands i’m surprised to find plastic bags available at the story in wisconsin.

For Example, My New York City NeighBorhood Features A “Small-Format” Target Store Designed for Urban Areas with 25,000 Square Feet of Space. By Comparison, The Target in My Wisconsin Hometown Spans 104,000 Square Feet, Making It More Than Four Times Large.

Midwestern Grocery Chains Are Also Much Bigger than New York City’s Corner Stores and Bodegas.

Most Costco Stoles Stock the Same Items at Locations Throughout the World, But Shoppers Can Also OcCassionally Find Local Specialties. While visiting costco in my home state, i’ve spotted wisconsin Cheese Curds and Coffee Beans from A Company Based in Door County, Which I Haven’t Seen Stoles in New York or Abroad.

I never used to be excited by shopping at menards or meijer, but you know what they they say: Absence makes the Heart Grow Fonder.

When the midwest now now, i jump at the chance to accompany my family on their day-to-day errands at retailers that are exclusive to midwestern states.

As the home of the Famous Breweries Such As Miller and Papst, Wisconsin Takes Beer Serious. At Piggly Wiggly, A Grocery Chain Large Serving the South and the Midwest, i’ve Encountered Beer Fridges with Doses of Varieties to Choose.

I’ve Never Seen a Walk Beer Cooler in New York City-Most Grocery Stores there wouldn’t have the space.

Know i want to pick up a tube of toothpaste or pint of ice cream at target in new york City, have to wave my have over a sensor to summon an Employe to unlock for me.

At my local target store in wisconsin, swimming Items that SOMESTEMES Face Limited Supply, Like Baby Formula, are kept on secured shelves, which makes for a different shopping experience.

At the gas pump and the checkout counter, i’m shocked by how Much Lower prices are in the midwest compared to New York City.

In September, Regular Gas Cost $ 2.86 Per Gallon at the Local Corner Station in Wisconsin Compared to $ 3.13 at the Closest Gas Station in New York.

Grocery Items Like Gallons of Milk Were Also Less Expensive in the Midwest – $ 3.29 Versus $ 3.99 As of My Last Visit.

AFTER A DECADE AS A NEW YORKER, Classic Gestures of Midwestern Friendlines Like Smiling at Strangers and Making Small Talk Feel Odd to Me. In New York City, Making Eye Contact With Someone You Don’t Know Can Be Consider A Breach of Etiquette.

The Culture Shock Makes with Realization How I’m Constantly on Guard As A Resident of One of America Farst Cities – JUST ONE OF MANY WAYS I’VE CHANGED SINCE Moving Away from the Midwest.