How to Adapt to the Midwest

A region known for the kindness of its strangers, decent cost of living and beautiful natural scenery, the Midwest can be a wonderful place to live. Yet if you're a born and bred East or West Coaster, you might be in for some culture shock. The good news is once the shock wears off, you'll probably love your new hometown. Here's how to adapt to the Midwest.

Instructions

1. Expect strangers to be friendlier than what you're used to on the Coast. While every region has its fair share of unpleasant people, Midwesterners are more likely to let you merge ahead of them in traffic with a smile and a wave. They're also more likely to make friendly conversation--so don't feel as if you're being stalked or that everyone is nosy.

2. Learn the lingo. Soda is pop. A lollipop is a sucker. An infant carrier is a pumpkin seat.

3. Pack warm clothes for cold, blustery winters and lightweight clothes for hot summers. While weather varies depending on your specific local, the Midwest is known for extremes. Tornadoes also are a possibility.

4. Take your time. Honking at other cars in traffic, telling people to hurry up or simply acting impatient is a big faux pas in the Midwest. If you want to blend in, be laid-back like other Midwesterners. You won't make many friends with the prototypical East Coast Type A personality.

5. Expect more conservative viewpoints than liberal ones, especially in the suburbs and rural areas. Even in the cities, you can't utter the term "stupid Republicans" without expecting to offend someone. Midwestern states aren't called the "red states" for nothing.