Every state has its own quirks, but Indiana has a few that only long-time locals truly understand. If you’ve been living there for years, chances are you’ve picked up some habits or experiences that outsiders would find, well… a little odd.
So, if you can relate to most of the things on this list, it might be a sign that you’ve lived in Indiana for far too long—and you’re now basically part of the cornfield.
1. You Use Cornfields as Landmarks
Instead of street names or actual directions, you catch yourself saying things like, “Turn left at the cornfield, then right after the red barn.” If corn has become your compass, you’re officially an Indiana local.
2. You’ve Attended a County Fair in 100-Degree Heat
And you still stood in line for a lemon shake-up and a fried Oreo. You might even have judged a pie contest or watched a tractor pull. That’s peak Indiana summer for you.
3. You Think Tenderloin Sandwiches Should Be the Size of a Dinner Plate
In Indiana, breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches are serious business. If you’ve ever had one that’s hanging way over the bun and thought, “Yeah, that’s normal,” you’ve been here too long.
4. You Complain About the Weather Daily—and Rightfully So
Four seasons in one day? Completely possible in Indiana. You’ve learned to dress in layers, keep an umbrella in your car, and never trust the forecast.
5. You Say “Ope” Without Thinking
“Ope, just gonna squeeze past ya.” If that phrase has become part of your daily vocabulary, you’ve officially adapted to Midwestern manners.
6. You Know That Basketball Isn’t Just a Sport—It’s a Way of Life
From high school gymnasiums to March Madness, Indiana breathes basketball. If you’ve rearranged plans to watch a game or screamed at the TV during a college match, you’re fully converted.
7. You Measure Distance in Time, Not Miles
Ask a local how far something is, and you’ll hear, “Oh, about 30 minutes.” That’s how things work in Indiana. If you’ve stopped caring about kilometres or miles and only speak in travel time, you’re one of us.
8. You’ve Driven Behind a Tractor on a Main Road—and Stayed Patient
It’s just part of life. Whether you’re late for work or heading to the store, getting stuck behind a slow-moving tractor is a regular thing. And yes, you’ve probably waved when you finally passed.
9. You’ve Worn Shorts and a Winter Jacket on the Same Day
That’s what “Indiana weather” means. Sunny in the morning, snow flurries by lunch, and thunderstorms at night. You don’t even question it anymore.
10. You Have Strong Feelings About Indy 500 Weekend
Whether you love it or hate it, the Indy 500 is a big deal. If you’ve ever heard cars roaring from miles away or seen locals treating it like a holiday, you’re definitely in deep.
Indiana might seem like just another Midwestern state, but once you’ve lived here long enough, it gets under your skin—in a good way. From tenderloin sandwiches and basketball fever to unpredictable weather and tractor traffic, these little things become part of daily life.
So if you nodded along to most of this list, let’s face it: you’re a true Hoosier through and through.
SOURCES
- (https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2014/03/27/10-sterotypes-about-indianapolis/6955357/)
- (https://www.urbanophile.com/2017/03/14/ten-things-you-need-to-know-about-indianapolis-city-culture/)
- (https://thehonestlocal.com/living-in-indiana-moving/)
