12 Things You Should Never Ever Say to Someone From Wisconsin

Wisconsin—the land of cheese curds, cold brews, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. It’s a state where the winters are snowy, the summers are sunny, and the Packers are practically a religion. But if you ever find yourself chatting with a true Wisconsinite, there are a few tongue-in-cheek comments you might want to avoid unless you’re aiming for a good-natured chuckle.

“So, is Wisconsin just a suburb of Chicago?”

We love our neighbors to the south, but we’re pretty proud of our own state lines.

“Do you really put cheese on everything?”

Not everything—just the things that taste better with cheese, which is most things.

“Why is everyone obsessed with the Packers?”

Careful now, you’re treading on sacred ground.

“Isn’t it always freezing up there?”

Only when it’s not warm, which is about half the time.

“What’s the big deal about a Friday fish fry?”

It’s only the cornerstone of our social calendar, no biggie.

“All you have are cows and farms, right?”

Don’t forget the lakes, forests, breweries, and a couple of pretty cool cities.

“I’ve had cheese from other places; it’s all the same.”

Them’s fighting words in America’s Dairyland.

“Do people actually drink that much beer?”

We prefer to think of it as supporting local businesses.

“I prefer maple syrup from Vermont.”

That’s cute, but have you tried ours?

“Why would anyone live in a place with so much snow?”

Because snowmobiling and ice fishing are a way of life.

“Bratwurst isn’t that special.”

Clearly, you haven’t been to a proper Wisconsin cookout.

“Isn’t Wisconsin just one big dairy farm?”

Well, we do produce a lot of milk, but we’ve got a few other tricks up our sleeve.

Wisconsinites are a proud bunch, full of good humor and even better hospitality. So next time you find yourself in the Badger State, skip the clichés and ask about their favorite supper club or local craft beer. You might just discover why Wisconsin is the hidden gem of the Midwest.