30 ways to tell people you're from Detroit without telling them you're from Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 5:03 pm

The only thing Detroiters love more than Detroit is proving just how Detroit they are. From coney dogs and Carhartt jackets to Big 3 loyalty and Cartier Buffs, there are some things that just scream native Detroiter without a person ever parting their lips.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Page 1 of 2

You’ve owned a Carhartt Duck Jacket

Carhartt may be a hit among construction and hard labor workers but for Detroiters, theirDuck jacket is fashion and function. A true staple for Detroit’s cold days.

Photo via Instagram

1 of 24

You know where to find Detroit Chris Brown

This is for the Eastside Detroiters. If you’ve ever driven past Harper and Cadieux or Moross and Kelly, you’ve likely seen Darius Jones dancing on the corner. Affectionately known as Detroit Chris Brown, Jones has danced on the Eastside street corners for years, even receiving a Spirit of Detroit award in 2017 In 2019, there was a community uproar after Jones was nearly arrested after a run-in with Detroit Police.

Photo courtesy of @detroitchrisbrown

2 of 24

You’ve owned (or wanted) a pair of Buffs

Cartier “Buffs” are to Detroit what wheat-colored Timberlands are to New Yorkers. It’s a part of the uniform and the ultimate come-up. The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham understood the assignment on draft night and donned a pair. Detroiters also gathered together to get Gretchen Whitmer (aka Big Gretch) her own pair due to her handling of the pandemic.

Photo via NBA/Youtube

3 of 24

Still rep your DPS high school no matter how long it's been closed

Cooley High Cardinals, Murray Wright Pilots, Crockett Rockets — none of these high schools exist anymore, but their alumni will not let you (or anyone) forget their legacy.

Photo via Google Maps

4 of 24

You have a picture in front of the Belle Isle fountain

Have you even visited Belle Isle if you haven’t gotten a picture in front of the James Scott Memorial Fountain? From engagement pictures to family reunions to maybe climbing into the fountain a la Friends, it’s pretty much required.

Photo via maiac/Flickr Creative Commons

5 of 24

Posed on the Detroit Riverwalk

Detroiters really can see Canada from their backyards — or Riverfront. Chances are you have a picture in front of the Renaissance Center or strategically positioned so Windsor’s Caesars Casino is just behind you.

Photo courtesy of @northrosedalestory

6 of 24

Your loyalty to the Big 3 depends on your family ties

You think you’re going to park your Dodge Charger in the driveway of your Ford retiree grandfather? Think again. Most times Detroiters are loyal to the car company that the members of their family work for.

Photo courtesy of @willpbyrne

7 of 24

Defended the Detroit Lions

Detroiters have two favorite NFL teams: one that’s guaranteed to win from time to time and the Detroit Lions. While we’re close to people forgetting about that one season in 2008, we can never forget all the times we’ve stood proud in Honolulu Blue.

Photo courtesy @picsofdetroit

8 of 24

Still refer to the Movement Festival as Detroit Electronic Music Festival or Techno Fest
One of the largest electronic music festivals in the world happens in Hart Plaza during Memorial Day Weekend. The festival first used “Movement” as a name in 2003, back when admission was still free. It’s been almost 20 years and Detroiters still refuse to call it by its actual name.

Photo via Leah Castile / Detroitstockcity.com
9 of 24

Took engagement pictures on the DIA steps
On any given weekend you can drive past the Detroit Institute of Arts and see a couple blissfully in love and posing on the infamous steps.

Krystal Stinson / Detroit Stock City
10 of 24

Been to a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall
The best of the best have performed at St. Andrew’s Hall or it’s famous basement, The Shelter. If you’re old enough, you probably attended the legendary venue’s Three Floors of Fun.

Photo via Saint Andrew's Hall/Instagram
11 of 24

You've been asked if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile
Tell anyone out-of-towner you’re from Detroit and the first thing they’re going to ask is if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile. We all hate it.

Photo via YouTube
12 of 24

Ate pizza at Garden Bowl or El Club
When it comes to the battle of venue pizza, Garden Bowl and El Club are pretty much tied. There is no better way to sober up than a slice at either.

Photo by Angela Zielinski
13 of 24

You know where Gilbertville is
This is one of those things that’s simply understood by the people who work in the city (or for that company). Even if you think you don’t know where Gilbertville is, you think hard enough, you do.

Illustration by Robert “Nix” Nixon
14 of 24

When you drive by a warehouse, you recall all the raves you've been to there
If you’ve never been texted an address, shown up to an abandoned warehouse, and had to run in a stampede when the police showed up, did you ever really party in Detroit?

Photo courtesy of @angee_michelle
15 of 24

You know that Detroit's rap scene is more than Eminem and Big Sean
Detroit’s rap scene is one of the most legendary and influential rap scenes in the world. Yes, Big Sean and Eminem “made it,” but we can not (and will not) forget our other icons like Trick Trick, Slum Village, Black Milk, Nolan the Ninja, Danny Brown, Icewear Vezzo, Sada Baby, Doughboyz Cashout, Kash Doll — the list goes on for a while.

Photo via Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock
16 of 24

You drive to the burbs for legal weed
The days of sneaking buys are pretty much over, and if you’ve never traveled to Hamtramck or Ferndale for your upscale quarter, why are you waiting?

Photo by Steve Neavling
17 of 24

Devoted to the Spartans or Wolverines but never went to either school
Nothing screams Detroit like a Big Ten house divided. The only time you’re allowed to cheer for a local rival is when they play Ohio (because nothing is worse than Ohio).

Photo via Matt Radick/Flickr Creative Commons
18 of 24

Ice skated in Campus Martius
If you take away the blizzards, black ice, and below zero temperatures, winter in Detroit is actually quite beautiful. Ice skating in Campus Martius makes the most of Detroit’s winter wonderland.

Photo courtesy of Downtown Detroit Partnership
19 of 24

Owned a pair of gators
Notorious B.I.G.’s “... pink gators, my Detroit players…” was a nod to a visit the late rapper took to The Broadway with his friend, and native Detroiter, dream hampton. Chances are your uncle probably really owned a pair of colored gators to match his Easter suit.

Photo via Google Maps
20 of 24

Page 1 of 2

Next Page

Related Articles

Metro Detroit

Carhartt to expand operations in Dearborn, creating more than 120 new jobs

The expansion is supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund

By Alex Washington
Dec 19, 2022

Trending in Arts & Culture

Detroit Tigers 2025 opening day parties

By Lee DeVito
Apr 2, 2025

36th Erotic Poetry and Music Festival brings burlesque and more to Ferndale

By Lee DeVito
Apr 2, 2025

FoolMoon and FestiFools parades to rock downtown Ann Arbor

By Lee DeVito
Apr 2, 2025

This Week's Issue

Find Metro Times in Print

Subscribe to Metro Times Newsletters

Local Detroit

News & Views

Things to Do

Arts & Culture

Food & Drink

Music

Weed

Detroit in Pictures

More

Best Of Detroit

Detroit Guides

Submit an Event

Partner Corner

About Metrotimes

About Us

Advertise

Contact Us

Jobs

Staff

Big Lou Holdings, LLC

Cincinnati CityBeat

Detroit Metro Times

Louisville Leo Weekly

Sauce Magazine

Local Detroit

More

About Metrotimes

Big Lou Holdings, LLC

Bluesky

Facebook

X/Twitter

Threads

Instagram

Tiktok

Calendar Submission Guidelines

Freelance Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

All material © 2025 Detroit Metro Times, Ferndale, MI. All rights reserved.

Subscribe

Search

30 ways to tell people you're from Detroit without telling them you're from Detroit

Tags:

You’ve owned a Carhartt Duck Jacket

You know where to find Detroit Chris Brown

You’ve owned (or wanted) a pair of Buffs

Still rep your DPS high school no matter how long it's been closed

You have a picture in front of the Belle Isle fountain

Posed on the Detroit Riverwalk

Your loyalty to the Big 3 depends on your family ties

Defended the Detroit Lions

Still refer to the Movement Festival as Detroit Electronic Music Festival or Techno Fest

Took engagement pictures on the DIA steps

Been to a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall

You've been asked if you’ve ever been to Eight Mile

Ate pizza at Garden Bowl or El Club

You know where Gilbertville is

When you drive by a warehouse, you recall all the raves you've been to there

You know that Detroit's rap scene is more than Eminem and Big Sean

You drive to the burbs for legal weed

Devoted to the Spartans or Wolverines but never went to either school

Ice skated in Campus Martius

Owned a pair of gators

Related Articles

Trending in Arts & Culture