July 30, 2021

30 ways to tell people you're from Detroit without telling them you're from Detroit

By Metro Times Staff

The only thing Detroiters love more than Detroit is proving just how Detroit they are. From coney dogs and Carhartt jackets to Big 3 loyalty and Cartier Buffs, there are some things that just scream native Detroiter without a person ever parting their lips.

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You’ve owned a Carhartt Duck Jacket Carhartt may be a hit among construction and hard labor workers but for Detroiters, theirDuck jacket is fashion and function. A true staple for Detroit’s cold days. Photo via Instagram

You’ve owned a Carhartt Duck Jacket

Carhartt may be a hit among construction and hard labor workers but for Detroiters, theirDuck jacket is fashion and function. A true staple for Detroit’s cold days.

Photo via Instagram
You know where to find Detroit Chris Brown This is for the Eastside Detroiters. If you’ve ever driven past Harper and Cadieux or Moross and Kelly, you’ve likely seen Darius Jones dancing on the corner. Affectionately known as Detroit Chris Brown, Jones has danced on the Eastside street corners for years, even receiving a Spirit of Detroit award in 2017 In 2019, there was a community uproar after Jones was nearly arrested after a run-in with Detroit Police. Photo courtesy of @detroitchrisbrown

You know where to find Detroit Chris Brown

This is for the Eastside Detroiters. If you’ve ever driven past Harper and Cadieux or Moross and Kelly, you’ve likely seen Darius Jones dancing on the corner. Affectionately known as Detroit Chris Brown, Jones has danced on the Eastside street corners for years, even receiving a Spirit of Detroit award in 2017 In 2019, there was a community uproar after Jones was nearly arrested after a run-in with Detroit Police.

Photo courtesy of @detroitchrisbrown
You’ve owned (or wanted) a pair of Buffs Cartier “Buffs” are to Detroit what wheat-colored Timberlands are to New Yorkers. It’s a part of the uniform and the ultimate come-up. The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham understood the assignment on draft night and donned a pair. Detroiters also gathered together to get Gretchen Whitmer (aka Big Gretch) her own pair due to her handling of the pandemic. Photo via NBA/Youtube

You’ve owned (or wanted) a pair of Buffs

Cartier “Buffs” are to Detroit what wheat-colored Timberlands are to New Yorkers. It’s a part of the uniform and the ultimate come-up. The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham understood the assignment on draft night and donned a pair. Detroiters also gathered together to get Gretchen Whitmer (aka Big Gretch) her own pair due to her handling of the pandemic.

Photo via NBA/Youtube
Still rep your DPS high school no matter how long it's been closed Cooley High Cardinals, Murray Wright Pilots, Crockett Rockets — none of these high schools exist anymore, but their alumni will not let you (or anyone) forget their legacy. Photo via Google Maps

Still rep your DPS high school no matter how long it's been closed

Cooley High Cardinals, Murray Wright Pilots, Crockett Rockets — none of these high schools exist anymore, but their alumni will not let you (or anyone) forget their legacy.

Photo via Google Maps
You have a picture in front of the Belle Isle fountain Have you even visited Belle Isle if you haven’t gotten a picture in front of the James Scott Memorial Fountain? From engagement pictures to family reunions to maybe climbing into the fountain a la Friends, it’s pretty much required. Photo via maiac/Flickr Creative Commons

You have a picture in front of the Belle Isle fountain

Have you even visited Belle Isle if you haven’t gotten a picture in front of the James Scott Memorial Fountain? From engagement pictures to family reunions to maybe climbing into the fountain a la Friends, it’s pretty much required.

Photo via maiac/Flickr Creative Commons
Posed on the Detroit Riverwalk Detroiters really can see Canada from their backyards — or Riverfront. Chances are you have a picture in front of the Renaissance Center or strategically positioned so Windsor’s Caesars Casino is just behind you. Photo courtesy of @northrosedalestory

Posed on the Detroit Riverwalk

Detroiters really can see Canada from their backyards — or Riverfront. Chances are you have a picture in front of the Renaissance Center or strategically positioned so Windsor’s Caesars Casino is just behind you.

Photo courtesy of @northrosedalestory
Your loyalty to the Big 3 depends on your family ties You think you’re going to park your Dodge Charger in the driveway of your Ford retiree grandfather? Think again. Most times Detroiters are loyal to the car company that the members of their family work for. Photo courtesy of @willpbyrne

Your loyalty to the Big 3 depends on your family ties

You think you’re going to park your Dodge Charger in the driveway of your Ford retiree grandfather? Think again. Most times Detroiters are loyal to the car company that the members of their family work for.

Photo courtesy of @willpbyrne
Defended the Detroit Lions Detroiters have two favorite NFL teams: one that’s guaranteed to win from time to time and the Detroit Lions. While we’re close to people forgetting about that one season in 2008, we can never forget all the times we’ve stood proud in Honolulu Blue. Photo courtesy @picsofdetroit

Defended the Detroit Lions

Detroiters have two favorite NFL teams: one that’s guaranteed to win from time to time and the Detroit Lions. While we’re close to people forgetting about that one season in 2008, we can never forget all the times we’ve stood proud in Honolulu Blue.

Photo courtesy @picsofdetroit
Still refer to the Movement Festival as Detroit Electronic Music Festival or Techno Fest One of the largest electronic music festivals in the world happens in Hart Plaza during Memorial Day Weekend. The festival first used “Movement” as a name in 2003, back when admission was still free. It’s been almost 20 years and Detroiters still refuse to call it by its actual name. Photo via Leah Castile / Detroitstockcity.com

Still refer to the Movement Festival as Detroit Electronic Music Festival or Techno Fest

One of the largest electronic music festivals in the world happens in Hart Plaza during Memorial Day Weekend. The festival first used “Movement” as a name in 2003, back when admission was still free. It’s been almost 20 years and Detroiters still refuse to call it by its actual name.

Photo via Leah Castile / Detroitstockcity.com
Took engagement pictures on the DIA steps On any given weekend you can drive past the Detroit Institute of Arts and see a couple blissfully in love and posing on the infamous steps. Krystal Stinson / Detroit Stock City

Took engagement pictures on the DIA steps

On any given weekend you can drive past the Detroit Institute of Arts and see a couple blissfully in love and posing on the infamous steps.

Krystal Stinson / Detroit Stock City

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