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

By on Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 5:03 pm

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 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 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Been to a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall The best of the best have performed at St. Andrew’s Hall or it’s famous basement, The Shelter. If you’re old enough, you probably attended the legendary venue’s Three Floors of Fun. Photo via Saint Andrew's Hall/Instagram

Been to a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall

The best of the best have performed at St. Andrew’s Hall or it’s famous basement, The Shelter. If you’re old enough, you probably attended the legendary venue’s Three Floors of Fun.

Photo via Saint Andrew's Hall/Instagram
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You've been asked if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile Tell anyone out-of-towner you’re from Detroit and the first thing they’re going to ask is if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile. We all hate it. Photo via YouTube

You've been asked if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile

Tell anyone out-of-towner you’re from Detroit and the first thing they’re going to ask is if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile. We all hate it.

Photo via YouTube
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Ate pizza at Garden Bowl or El Club When it comes to the battle of venue pizza, Garden Bowl and El Club are pretty much tied. There is no better way to sober up than a slice at either. Photo by Angela Zielinski

Ate pizza at Garden Bowl or El Club

When it comes to the battle of venue pizza, Garden Bowl and El Club are pretty much tied. There is no better way to sober up than a slice at either.

Photo by Angela Zielinski
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You know where Gilbertville is This is one of those things that’s simply understood by the people who work in the city (or for that company). Even if you think you don’t know where Gilbertville is, you think hard enough, you do. Illustration by Robert “Nix” Nixon

You know where Gilbertville is

This is one of those things that’s simply understood by the people who work in the city (or for that company). Even if you think you don’t know where Gilbertville is, you think hard enough, you do.

Illustration by Robert “Nix” Nixon
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When you drive by a warehouse, you recall all the raves you've been to there If you’ve never been texted an address, shown up to an abandoned warehouse, and had to run in a stampede when the police showed up, did you ever really party in Detroit? Photo courtesy of @angee_michelle

When you drive by a warehouse, you recall all the raves you've been to there

If you’ve never been texted an address, shown up to an abandoned warehouse, and had to run in a stampede when the police showed up, did you ever really party in Detroit?

Photo courtesy of @angee_michelle
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You know that Detroit's rap scene is more than Eminem and Big Sean Detroit’s rap scene is one of the most legendary and influential rap scenes in the world. Yes, Big Sean and Eminem “made it,” but we can not (and will not) forget our other icons like Trick Trick, Slum Village, Black Milk, Nolan the Ninja, Danny Brown, Icewear Vezzo, Sada Baby, Doughboyz Cashout, Kash Doll — the list goes on for a while. Photo via Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock

You know that Detroit's rap scene is more than Eminem and Big Sean

Detroit’s rap scene is one of the most legendary and influential rap scenes in the world. Yes, Big Sean and Eminem “made it,” but we can not (and will not) forget our other icons like Trick Trick, Slum Village, Black Milk, Nolan the Ninja, Danny Brown, Icewear Vezzo, Sada Baby, Doughboyz Cashout, Kash Doll — the list goes on for a while.

Photo via Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
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You drive to the burbs for legal weed The days of sneaking buys are pretty much over, and if you’ve never traveled to Hamtramck or Ferndale for your upscale quarter, why are you waiting? Photo by Steve Neavling

You drive to the burbs for legal weed

The days of sneaking buys are pretty much over, and if you’ve never traveled to Hamtramck or Ferndale for your upscale quarter, why are you waiting?

Photo by Steve Neavling
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Devoted to the Spartans or Wolverines but never went to either school Nothing screams Detroit like a Big Ten house divided. The only time you’re allowed to cheer for a local rival is when they play Ohio (because nothing is worse than Ohio). Photo via Matt Radick/Flickr Creative Commons

Devoted to the Spartans or Wolverines but never went to either school

Nothing screams Detroit like a Big Ten house divided. The only time you’re allowed to cheer for a local rival is when they play Ohio (because nothing is worse than Ohio).

Photo via Matt Radick/Flickr Creative Commons
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Ice skated in Campus Martius If you take away the blizzards, black ice, and below zero temperatures, winter in Detroit is actually quite beautiful. Ice skating in Campus Martius makes the most of Detroit’s winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Downtown Detroit Partnership

Ice skated in Campus Martius

If you take away the blizzards, black ice, and below zero temperatures, winter in Detroit is actually quite beautiful. Ice skating in Campus Martius makes the most of Detroit’s winter wonderland.

Photo courtesy of Downtown Detroit Partnership
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Owned a pair of gators Notorious B.I.G.’s “... pink gators, my Detroit players…” was a nod to a visit the late rapper took to The Broadway with his friend, and native Detroiter, dream hampton. Chances are your uncle probably really owned a pair of colored gators to match his Easter suit. Photo via Google Maps

Owned a pair of gators

Notorious B.I.G.’s “... pink gators, my Detroit players…” was a nod to a visit the late rapper took to The Broadway with his friend, and native Detroiter, dream hampton. Chances are your uncle probably really owned a pair of colored gators to match his Easter suit.

Photo via Google Maps
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