We asked what only real Chicagoans know how to do. Here’s what you said, lightly edited for clarity:
“Know that the pedestrian cross buttons on lamp poles aren’t actually wired and are there for show.”
—John N McClorey, 65, South Loop
“Order an Italian beef: Beef. Dipped. Sweet/hot.”
—Thaer Hasan, 35
“Take a turn into a gangway at top speed on your bike. Then hit the brakes and skid all the way down it.”
—Chris Jay
“Save a parking spot in front of their house with a lawn chair in the winter.”
—Chris Laman
“Go 100 years without a World Series.”
—Marcelo Enrique Ruiz Lopez
“Use the pedway.”
—Avery Benderoff, 17
“Refuse to accept change, because it does not make sense. Sears Tower, Comiskey Park forever!”
—Ida McCarty, 59, West Pullman
“Eat a correct hot dog — no ketchup.”
—Kate Collins
“Stepping.”
—Lynn Curtis
“Have a magical holiday evening looking at store windows with hot chocolate on Michigan Avenue.”
—Kris Baron
“Use building reflections to notice surroundings.”
—Paulina Czupryna, 22
“Correctly pronounce ‘Touhy Avenue.'”
—Emily Whalen
“Shovel a whole alley to get your car out.”
—Chris Kolcz, 60, Dunning
“Know a native Chicagoan from a suburbanite or a transplant.”
—Sandie Belluomini
“Stay off the expressway by using arterial streets.”
—Denise Fricano
“Turn the Chicago River green.”
—Lynda Garbutt, Ravenswood Manor
“Hear ‘Wiener Circle’ without laughing.”
—Brielle Kohlbeck, 19
“Tell the difference between a police, fire truck or ambulance siren without seeing the vehicle.”
—Fred McAllen Sr.
“Drive on Lower Wacker Drive without a GPS or freaking out when GPS stops working.”
—Laura Sabransky
“Maintain the direction Lake Michigan lies in our heads at all times.”
—David Davy
“Leave the Merchandise Mart Brown Line stop through the mart.”
—Summer Lanier
“Identify a Chicagoan’s neighborhood by their accent.”
—Dave Rogers, 60, Aurora
“Get as many cars as possible to turn left as the light turns.”
—Bre Abo