There’s a certain pride that comes with living or growing up in Kansas City. Often, that manifests itself in quirky ways, like specific city knowledge, trends, and colloquialisms. Think: How do you pronounce “The Plaza?” We’ll get into that.
Of course, none of these rules are official or written down, but they are absorbed by the community. If you are lucky enough to be from the Heart of America, here are a few unwritten rules, shared on Instagram + Reddit, that you probably already know. If you’re a transplant, you might want to save this article for future reference.
We have a dress code
“On Fridays, we wear red!” — @katrina_greene1
And don’t forget Sunday, Monday + Thursday too.
“You know they’re from KC if they dress like a KC tourist.” — @closingwithcaisha
“If you’re having trouble finding your flight gate coming home, look for people with KC gear. 10/10 someone on the flight will have something on!” — @__seeLearn
Speaking of travel...
“To book a flight, use the code MCI for Mid-Continent International. But never, ever, EVER speak those 3 letters aloud. It’s KCI, and always will be KCI.” — @ZorrosMommy
“Public transit can take you to/from the airport. There’s a route that starts at 10th and Main that gets to KCI decently fast. $1.50 each way is a great deal.” — @chimesplayer
It’s not always a straight shot
“Everything in Kansas City is about 30 minutes from Kansas City.” — @Portland_st
“If you ever get lost, remember these simple rules: The Uptown Theater is in Midtown, but the Midland is in Downtown. North Kansas City is South of Kansas City North. [...] And I-70 somehow runs parallel to itself downtown.” — @ActivityImpossible70
“The Independence Avenue Bridge is undefeated.” — @P00Perrr
And apparently, semi-trucks are the prey.
“If you drive over to KCK, the numbered streets run north and south instead of east and west, unless you’re in Rosedale, which is sort of annexed by Midtown KCMO.” — @Ok-Dragonfruit-715
Getting hungry yet?
“Go grocery shopping during Chiefs games. The store will be empty.” — @Novaova
“You can order wings at the Peanut cooked ‘extra crispy,’ ‘charred’ or ‘double dipped.’ It only took 20 years to learn that.” — @bonsreeb
“We never reveal our true favorite barbecue spots.” — @msmel1979
Unless it’s Gates apparently...
“If you go into a Gates BBQ, no matter what looks appetizing on the menu, the response to the counter person is ‘Beef on bun.’” — Anonymous
“If you to tell the lady at Gates you need a minute to look at the menu she won’t keep yelling at you. 😂" — @Future_Constant6520
Names aren’t always so obvious
“It’s pronounced ‘PLAH-zuh,’ like ‘cat,’ not ‘PLAW-zuh,’ like ‘paw.’ I’ve made that mistake before.” — Travis M.
“Patrick Mahomes is never Pat. Arrowhead is Arrowhead.” — Travis M.
Similarly…
“Sandstone.” — @jesseh904. IYKYK.
“The dark building in OP is called the Darth Vader building.” — @Fdave187
And if nothing else sticks
“Weed is on the right, sports gambling is on the left.” — @ReverendLoki
What did we miss? If you know an unofficial rule that’s not on the list, drop us a line.
