It’s somewhat of a local joke that if you ever do leave Cincinnati, you tend to find your way back. But even if you do leave for good, more than likely a few habits have stuck with you long after you’ve moved. Cincinnati tends to stay with you that way. Love it or hate it, these are the undying habits that prove that you can never take the Cincinnati out of a Cincinnatian.
- We take the “back way” to get around town.
Flickr/Barry Maynard Although we have a perfectly good system of highways in Cincinnati (okay, that may be up for argument), it seems to be a habit of locals to take the back way to get where they want to go. It may take a little longer, but it’s definitely more scenic, and some would say relaxing.
- We never wear black and yellow.
Flickr/DrivingtheNortheast You see this picture? It will never be us. And for that matter, we can’t buy a shirt that has black and yellow stripes, or decorate our house with yellow and black accessories. It just doesn’t feel right. (WHO DEY)
- Order a “pop” when we’re out of town.
Flickr/dion gillard Yes, we know most of the country calls it “soda.” But to us, it’s pop and we likely won’t be able to break that habit when we venture out of the 275 loop.
- Think of OTR as “scary.”
Facebook/Washington Park This is a habit that will hopefully die out with generations to come. Over-the-Rhine evokes certain feelings of those native to Cincinnati - especially those who have been here awhile. While it definitely was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, it has evolved into one of the most vibrant and innovative areas of our city. But old habits die hard, and it will probably take a long time for OTR to lose this stigma.
- Buy P&G products.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Cincinnati has some major brand loyalty, thanks to one of its most well-known businesses. We tend to pick up Tide, Charmin, and Pampers, just because that’s what we do in Cincinnati. Even when prices are a little lower for the competitor’s products, the Cincinnati in us steers us back to these hometown favorites.
- Dial 347-1111 when we want some pizza.
Facebook/LaRosa’s Pizzeria Did the jingle just pop into your head? Do you now crave some zesty Larosa’s pizza? Yeah, then you’re probably from Cincinnati. It’s the number we don’t need to program into our phones because it is permanently etched in our memory… and our tastebuds.
- Pick up some Grippo’s when we have a party.
Facebook/Grippo Potato Chip Company Cincinnati has a favorite potato chip — and it’s Grippo’s. Whether you buy the bags or a box, they are the perfect side dish at any party and are often found in a Cincinnatian’s pantry. The Bar-B-Q are especially popular, and you always hope to get a bag filled with coated ones!
- Stock up on the essentials… when the forecast calls for a dusting of snow.
Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski We try really hard not to freak out, but something about the possibility of a tiny amount of snow — and the bad driving that goes along with it —makes us head to the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk, and eggs. Given the weather in Cincinnati and it’s unpredictably, I guess you can’t really blame us.
- Block off a certain Monday every spring to celebrate.
Flickr/5chw4r7z We call off work and even skip school for this unofficial holiday in Cincinnati. Reds Opening Day is one of the best traditions in Cincinnati and to not celebrate it would be breaking a major habit of most Cincinnatians.
- Crave our favorite Cincinnati classics.
Facebook/Trifecta It’s an uncontrollable habit of many Cincinnatians to crave the classic food chains that we can’t help but love. Skyline for lunch, LaRosa’s for dinner, and Graeter’s for dessert is pretty much the perfect day of food in Cincinnati.
- Finally feel at home when you see the skyline.
Flickr/JD Mathewson Whenever you leave town and then head home via 75/71, you know you’re home when you see our stunning skyline. It’s unlike any other view in the world and it’s a habit that sticks with Cincinnatians for a lifetime.
You may have been trying to break some of these habits for years, but we suggest you just sit back, relax and don’t try to deny the Cincinnati that’ll always be with you.
Flickr/Barry Maynard
Although we have a perfectly good system of highways in Cincinnati (okay, that may be up for argument), it seems to be a habit of locals to take the back way to get where they want to go. It may take a little longer, but it’s definitely more scenic, and some would say relaxing.
Flickr/DrivingtheNortheast
You see this picture? It will never be us. And for that matter, we can’t buy a shirt that has black and yellow stripes, or decorate our house with yellow and black accessories. It just doesn’t feel right. (WHO DEY)
Flickr/dion gillard
Yes, we know most of the country calls it “soda.” But to us, it’s pop and we likely won’t be able to break that habit when we venture out of the 275 loop.
Facebook/Washington Park
This is a habit that will hopefully die out with generations to come. Over-the-Rhine evokes certain feelings of those native to Cincinnati - especially those who have been here awhile. While it definitely was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, it has evolved into one of the most vibrant and innovative areas of our city. But old habits die hard, and it will probably take a long time for OTR to lose this stigma.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Cincinnati has some major brand loyalty, thanks to one of its most well-known businesses. We tend to pick up Tide, Charmin, and Pampers, just because that’s what we do in Cincinnati. Even when prices are a little lower for the competitor’s products, the Cincinnati in us steers us back to these hometown favorites.
Facebook/LaRosa’s Pizzeria
Did the jingle just pop into your head? Do you now crave some zesty Larosa’s pizza? Yeah, then you’re probably from Cincinnati. It’s the number we don’t need to program into our phones because it is permanently etched in our memory… and our tastebuds.
Facebook/Grippo Potato Chip Company
Cincinnati has a favorite potato chip — and it’s Grippo’s. Whether you buy the bags or a box, they are the perfect side dish at any party and are often found in a Cincinnatian’s pantry. The Bar-B-Q are especially popular, and you always hope to get a bag filled with coated ones!
Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski
We try really hard not to freak out, but something about the possibility of a tiny amount of snow — and the bad driving that goes along with it —makes us head to the grocery store to stock up on bread, milk, and eggs. Given the weather in Cincinnati and it’s unpredictably, I guess you can’t really blame us.
Flickr/5chw4r7z
We call off work and even skip school for this unofficial holiday in Cincinnati. Reds Opening Day is one of the best traditions in Cincinnati and to not celebrate it would be breaking a major habit of most Cincinnatians.
Facebook/Trifecta
It’s an uncontrollable habit of many Cincinnatians to crave the classic food chains that we can’t help but love. Skyline for lunch, LaRosa’s for dinner, and Graeter’s for dessert is pretty much the perfect day of food in Cincinnati.
Flickr/JD Mathewson
Whenever you leave town and then head home via 75/71, you know you’re home when you see our stunning skyline. It’s unlike any other view in the world and it’s a habit that sticks with Cincinnatians for a lifetime.
If you want some more Cincinnati love, check out our recent article on why Cincinnati is the best place for a vacation here.
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