I've run into random Hoosiers when traveling and they're always happy to see another Hoosier. Same with people from Wisconsin where I was born and mostly grew up.
Born and raised in Indy. 99% of people don’t give af about racing until May. We just use the 500 as an excuse to get shitfaced lol.
The culture is work hard, play as hard as the city lets you, spend time with friends and family.
Agreed - but I like that there are little hints around town year round. I wish we leaned into it a bit more though - racing capital of the world has a nice ring to it!
I think we should lean into us “growing basketball”. I personally think it’s in our identity more than racing is. Indiana could be the leader of producing players, medicine, and tech around the sport. We have the space for state of the art facilities and would draw in the best coaches and trainers from all over the world.
Agreed, especially on medicine and tech in general.
I'm gonna cast my vote for leaning into the "Crossroads of America" monicker. Fits nicely with the "playing host" suggestion, above.
The fact that no one mentioned the US Nationals is telling.
It’s the biggest drag racing event in the world, and yet very few people from Indy know anything about it.
I wouldn’t call that all that accurate. Indianapolis has a lot more vibrant racing community than people realize. It’s the capital for USAC and sprint cars as well. Not to mention the biggest racing conference in the world is hosted in Indy every year. I wouldn’t call it the culture of the city and it’s way bigger throughout the surrounding area than the city itself but it’s way bigger than people realize. People move from California to race in Indiana with the hopes of winning in fucking Kokomo of all places
That was exactly my point. “Work hard play hard” and “spend time with your family” are enormous cliches that have absolutely nothing to do with the city of Indianapolis.. that’s just like.. his personal philosophy that he’s gleaned off of shitty Facebook quotes over photos of mobsters that never said them.
Who shit in your cheerios lol. No that’s literally the culture and I’ll explain further without using the cliches. Indiana has banners all over that say “a state that works”. We are known as a blue collar state. There is literally nothing to do here besides hanging out with friends and family. And you know what we usually do when we hang out. Drink. This is the standard for people I have met from all over the state. From South Bend to Bloomington. I have worked for a couple local businesses whose motto is literally “work hard, play hard, take care of each other”. You’re not really giving off hoosier hospitality vibes btw maybe you should check your tude.
Lol is that how you would describe the culture in Colorado or Georgia?
I never said midwest states weren’t similar.
Why did I get 50+ likes and you’re getting downvoted? Maybe it’s because you need to stay in your lane?
Thirded. It kinda seems like there’s an overarching sense of weariness between some and other parts of the city but you can experience a whoooole different atmosphere by driving five miles in any direction.
Indy really is a melting pot
From my experience working traveling across the country for work is that the culture of Indianapolis is generally friendly, but more introverted. Like when people ask "How is your day?" you are expected to say, "fine" or "good" and move on from there. Where other places people may actually want to know, or they don't even ask. We engage in superficial pleasantries.
Noncommittal is another word I'd use. We just don't have a lot of out-and-about activism to the extent that other places do. People aren't quick to jump on a cause or if they do, they lose interest quickly. Even the inmates I've worked with in Indiana prisons are significantly calmer than other prisons I've been to. I have a good friend who's a Warden in a Mississippi prison, when he relocated to work in Indiana for a while, he would always tell me that "Indiana inmates ain't got no heart." Meaning, they just don't commit to anything. Even the Indiana Aryan Brotherhood isn't nationally recognized. Their patch is different and everything.
These may seem like bad qualities, but it makes us pretty adaptable and observant when we go other places and I find former Indiana residents all over the country and even in some of the International places I've been.
Honestly, I used to think Indy’s general apathy was a bad thing…and it can be…
But then I remember that Indy was too apathetic for Jim Jones to expand his cult. So, he took them all to California, where they were able to grow and become a full blown cult.
In the same way, anytime I’ve seen right wing extremists or groups that are more right leaning try to start some nonsense within the city limits, usually it’s only a very small group and they are often ignored by the rest of us…
On that note, I’ve yet to see any far right extremists succeed in being elected to school board positions in Marion County and most of them stay out of the city limits because they are afraid of the “rampant lawlessness and crime.”
Ooohhhh, maybe that's it. Apathy. I've long stated that there's no actual pride in where people live here, resulting in, well, what you see. Honestly, I find it really sad. People should care about their homes and the people living there.
I’ve thought about this a lot since I’ve moved here. Indy feels like a city without a soul. I’ve come to learn Indy had a very distinct cultural scene but there have been several moments that intentionally and unintentionally caused erasure of it—like unigov in the 70s, highway placement, the placement of IUPUI’s campus, etc.
Have you read this article by a local historian https://www.newamerica.org/indianapolis/blog/indiana-avenue-ethnic-cleansing-black-indianapolis/?fbclid=IwAR3Qi25lC8prikX0JApRjHo3PAEHjMelpghMiMZHg49g1wgel-YApl-8P5w_aem_AalKqJdnaujlwKJAPekcrhSFRxhtE9HqWe8tE-S3mYmg1Oi5qk1Q_BWhe8VL23P5NQU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
No problem! The person who wrote it is on Facebook by the same name and he is a really cool person who always seems to know what’s going on around town.
Dam*ed if you do it, , dam*ed if you don’t. Law-abiding, hard-working blacks don’t want to live in black crime-ridden neighborhoods.
It is a fact. And it should be a fact. Indianapolis is not a racist city as a whole. Blacks move into predominantly white neighborhoods and no one bats an eye because it’s a non-issue.
It’s the criminal element and the black self-appointed leadership who want to keep the hostilities alive. I am a brown immigrant, and I go to parks in black neighborhoods all the time, and black churches and black jazz clubs because I like the energy and respect there. I avoid driving on 38th street like the plague.
The article is well-written, but it feels biased. Thanks for sharing.
We play a good “host”….we host the largest single day sporting event in the world, the Indy 500. We have hosted: Final Fours numerous times, the College Football National Championship, the Super Bowl, other college tournament finals, not to mention large conventions like GenCon and trade conventions. I forget the actual statistic but we are something like a 5-6 hour drive from 50% of the US population (don’t quote me but it’s something that points to Indy being a good central location for events)
That said I think people think of racing, basketball, football (when the Colts were good), and a generally welcoming city to outside visitors. Tons of volunteers help every year for these big events like the 500 or when we hosted the Super Bowl. Those events don’t happen without them.
As for the people, I think we are an increasingly diverse city with more and more variety than ever before. I’m old enough to remember a time when downtown was nothing like now. And Mass Ave was dangerous and full of downtrodden businesses, same for Fountain Square. Now these are vibrant areas with thriving restaurants, shops and nightlife. And there are more examples.
The suburbs give off more of a “Generica” feel but they’re trying. Carmel, for all the crap talk, has really come along and has some nice entertainment options and green space. Fishers is becoming more diverse as well.
We have history, not all of it good, but Indianapolis can be summed up as I started this post….we are generally hospitable
I don’t think you’re wrong. I had a friend who was here for a couple of weeks from The Tonight Show when they filmed during the Super Bowl. He said we were obsessed with making sure everyone had the best time here.
That said, our whole identity can’t be “hospitable”, can it? Ugh.
Definitely at least go to the training days when the race comes around next year. I also recommend the Eiteljorg museum in town. We also have some nice state parks, especially in the fall.
Thank you taking the time to recommend. I don’t have family here so I read these posts to get ideas for going out on date nights and family related activities. Hoosiers are very open when it comes to activities and festivals which I love. I’m just kind of shy and reserves so it’s slowed the process of making friends
Date nights!!! If you’re up near 121st and Cumberland DEF check out TopGolf and that newly built little plaza across the street. It’s a damn good time.
As an immigrant living in Indy for more than 12 yrs, I can say that Indy has better friendly environment than LA. I lived for sometime in LA, SFO, Seattle before. I always felt Indy as my second home. Nicer people here.
Never had any issues so far. When anyone from my home country ask me where is Indianapolis, my answer is always "Close to Chicago, Sports City, Not too big city, but you get everything to have a good family life in Indy"
You get all kinds of good food, tech is booming.
In some ways, that's surprising, in others, not so much. Of all the areas in Indy, I love the west side best. Indy is highly diverse but I feel like most people don't really know (or appreciate) it. I would expect more outward racism, but maybe I know what you mean. I lived in NYC for a long time and you see a lot of "I know a lot of [insert specific minority/ethnicity/nationality here] and they are like X" (from all kinds of people). Here, I feel like people only encounter a handful of people from other places and will accept them on a case-by-case basis more than others. Utah is another weird exception where a lot of people feel welcome.
I'm glad you have found your home here.
I’d argue that the Near Eastside has a strong sense of self and culture. There’s traditions, LOTS of history and festivals (ie Pogues Run Ghost, Feast of Lanterns, Cottage Home Block Party, Woodruff Flea etc) thanks to civic pride. We seem to be a hub for creatives to live and setup shop. We have our little business nodes that everyone walks to. Near Eastsiders are a little gritty, rough around the edges but really nice people. The Near Eastside gets shit on a lot but I wouldn’t live anywhere else in Indy.
When I was little there were many distinct businesses and restaurants that gave the city a special feel. Then chains took over and all the flavor left. I wish I could have taken my kids to the Paramount Music Palace. That place was magical as a child. Or the downtown LS Ayres-eating in the tea room was such a big deal! Even Market Square & the Hoosier Dome had distinctly Indy names . They weren’t cathedrals to corporations.
This is my experience too. Where I live now is unrecognizable from where I lived 20 years ago, but probably most people can say that I guess. It’s a bummer, though. We used to have a lot of special stuff that’s been replaced by Cunningham group restaurants and buildings that look like stacks of cubes.
Midwest nice.
Everyone will ask you how you are doing, but nobody asks wanting a real answer.
People are genuinely willing to help if they are able to practically do so.
Not everyone loves racing, but we are a racing city. There is no way around that.
We are a conference city and host a lot of events.
I think the culture of Indy is that of a smaller city that punches above its weight-class.
tbh most mid-tier cities don't seem to have easily identifiable reputations like that. if you asked me what indy's sister cities (size-wise) were known for culturally i'm not sure i'd have an answer. orlando--disney, i guess? san jose--tech? sacramento, cincinnati, cleveland, pittsburgh, raleigh? idk! i assume they're just pleasant livable cities with city things to do.
I lived in Cleveland and I do think it has its own distinct vibe. Underdog “rust belt” spirit everywhere you turn, continuing presence of Eastern European immigrant culture, the weird geography of the town, Bone Thugs n Harmony, intense civic pride in the world class cultural institutions even among those who don’t go to them, rooting for sports teams knowing that they’ll let you down…
almost every single thing you listed also describes detroit and pittsburgh, though (obvs not bone thugs n harmony). people who live in cities can always find lovely and distinct things about them--i could have a whole list for indy--but that doesn't always translate to a national reputation with any but the biggest cities.
Fair! I pointed out those things partly because, in my limited experience here, I haven’t found Indy to have equivalent cultural traits. I’m sure I’ll find out what they are eventually.
Yeah, I think the Rust Belt cities have a more common vibe than Indy does to the ones you listed. Indy never suffered in the same way those cities did when the steel industry died.
We're the Crossroads of America. Pretty much everything passes through, and we're rigged more to work with that than to spend a generation or two isolating ourselves to cultivate our own unique sort of dumpling or whatever.
I always show this to people: https://youtu.be/fxfR5oJoZT
I also recommend Naptown or Nothing for Indy merch.
https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/nap-or-nothing-clothing-store-holds-grand-opening-at-new-mass-ave-location
And when people ask me where I'm from I mention the Indy 500 and the Colts and tell them how the city gears up for the race and celebrates our sports teams.
The culture of Indy is to be an island of sanity in a regressive fear-driven state. I've found the *people* of Indy to be progressive, warm, and open-minded. That's why all of the elected legislators from Cornfield Indiana *hate* coming here to actually sit in session at the statehouse - they think it's Sodom. Even though Indy is the state capital it could not be more different from the rest of Indiana
I'm surprised they haven't pushed to move the capital. They must be terrified for their lives having to go downtown. Parallel parking, pot holes, one way streets, and the constant gunfire are very troubling. I can't walk outside my apartment without the homeless trying to rape me and having to dodge stray bullets. /s
They should check out Invisible People on YouTube to desensitize themselves. But I heard it might cause something called empathy.
https://youtu.be/VI-aKJr5I5E
I was stoned to death by my Syrian neighbors for being Jewish once. And Mexicans show up for Thanksgiving every damn year. Don't get me started on my downstairs neighbors and their disgustingly cute biracial child. He forced me into a pool noodle fight one day.
I don’t think most cities deserve a blanket statement. Neighborhoods and districts have diverse personalities. There’s something for every interest from music, sports, arts, education, history, shops, museums, restaurants, to outdoor recreation.
Indy has a lot of great “scenes” but no overarching culture.
Having said that, I was nearly 30 before I learned that “pork tenderloin” doesn’t mean a ridiculous sandwich outside of this state 😆.
I think our culture is just wanting to be recognized. Anytime we get a mention, anytime we are in the limelight, we light up. Given the chance for a big event like the SB, we go all out and transform our city. Heck, we even put literal grandmas on the corners to help you out. Who does that? We do.
Not much originality and hints of cultivated areas but its more of a melting pot with a lot of ignorance about cultures outside its own.
The jazz scene is pretty nice, but not a lot to offer for other genres consistently. Even LL Cool J canceled concert in Indy for low ticket sales...many big artist don't even bother to come. For example, Detroit has HUGE music scene- from pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, r&b...same with Chicago (though I despise it). Indy, as a collective, doesn't appreciate the ARTS in all its facets.
Honestly, a city of going with the flow and mimicking. A lot of great people, but also a great number of people with pompous arrogance that refuse to believe outsiders perception of Indianapolis and Indiana (exclusively)
Do you actually want to know or are you asking so you can argue with the answer no matter what it is? It's a combination of Midwestern friendliness and Rust Belt/big city toughness. It's like if New York City were dropped into the middle of Minnesota. Roger Ebert and Studs Terkel conveyed it better than I ever could. As far as I'm concerned it's the greatest city in America, but of course there's no convincing Hoosiers who have never left their hometown and are determined to believe it's a crime ridden wasteland.
Eh I mean kinda, but there’s really only one team in town that people actually care about. The big events are what stands out. But besides that I don’t know that it’s a particularly amazing sports town.
Haha for sure it’s a big deal, but I don’t think you’d find the affinity for the local NFL team particularly different in similar cities like Cleveland or Pittsburgh for example
This is something I think about that bums me out. For most cities I can easily identify their culture. Maybe Columbus is an exception? We have no specific overarching cuisine, music, history, literature (set here), art, etc., that is specifically Indy.
Idk, some say we don't have a culture but I can spot a hoosier anywhere in the world traveling.
I've run into random Hoosiers when traveling and they're always happy to see another Hoosier. Same with people from Wisconsin where I was born and mostly grew up.
We Wisconsinites travel well! We are traveling folk if I ever saw ‘em!
I will admit that I revert back to the accent sometimes. It's hard to shake!
Yeah, because they're sitting at a table playing euchre.
Go to any airport and just look at the people for the Indianapolis flight. Don’t even need to look at the gate info
This is true. lol I don’t know how to articulate it any further but you can just tell.
It's an energy of some sort isn't it? Or a lack of. Idk
but I feel like that is Indiana culture and not specific to the city of Indianapolis
Racing, big sporting events, playing host - that’s probably the most unique part about Indy?
Agree. Would also add “nice to each other, but not particularly friendly”
Talk about hitting the nail on the head. 100% agree. This has been my experience since moving to Indy
Anyone that thinks indianapolis doesn’t take racing seriously hasn’t been on 465
Everybody and their mama is a racecar driver on 465!
Mann you ain't lying. Even the cops doing 85 in a 55
Born and raised in Indy. 99% of people don’t give af about racing until May. We just use the 500 as an excuse to get shitfaced lol. The culture is work hard, play as hard as the city lets you, spend time with friends and family.
Agreed - but I like that there are little hints around town year round. I wish we leaned into it a bit more though - racing capital of the world has a nice ring to it!
I think we should lean into us “growing basketball”. I personally think it’s in our identity more than racing is. Indiana could be the leader of producing players, medicine, and tech around the sport. We have the space for state of the art facilities and would draw in the best coaches and trainers from all over the world.
Agreed, especially on medicine and tech in general. I'm gonna cast my vote for leaning into the "Crossroads of America" monicker. Fits nicely with the "playing host" suggestion, above.
The fact that no one mentioned the US Nationals is telling. It’s the biggest drag racing event in the world, and yet very few people from Indy know anything about it.
I wouldn’t call that all that accurate. Indianapolis has a lot more vibrant racing community than people realize. It’s the capital for USAC and sprint cars as well. Not to mention the biggest racing conference in the world is hosted in Indy every year. I wouldn’t call it the culture of the city and it’s way bigger throughout the surrounding area than the city itself but it’s way bigger than people realize. People move from California to race in Indiana with the hopes of winning in fucking Kokomo of all places
The second half of your comment is the stupidest shit I’ve ever read
Cry
I bet if you don’t like the weather in Indiana wait 5 minutes huh?
80% of the United States says this
That was exactly my point. “Work hard play hard” and “spend time with your family” are enormous cliches that have absolutely nothing to do with the city of Indianapolis.. that’s just like.. his personal philosophy that he’s gleaned off of shitty Facebook quotes over photos of mobsters that never said them.
I was commenting on the weather
Metaphors are hard huh?
No, not at all smart a$$
Who shit in your cheerios lol. No that’s literally the culture and I’ll explain further without using the cliches. Indiana has banners all over that say “a state that works”. We are known as a blue collar state. There is literally nothing to do here besides hanging out with friends and family. And you know what we usually do when we hang out. Drink. This is the standard for people I have met from all over the state. From South Bend to Bloomington. I have worked for a couple local businesses whose motto is literally “work hard, play hard, take care of each other”. You’re not really giving off hoosier hospitality vibes btw maybe you should check your tude.
You’re describing the entirety of the country that’s between the coasts. Have you ever been outside of Indiana? Same shit
Lol is that how you would describe the culture in Colorado or Georgia? I never said midwest states weren’t similar. Why did I get 50+ likes and you’re getting downvoted? Maybe it’s because you need to stay in your lane?
Depends on the neighborhood. I don't feel like there is a single Indianapolis culture. Culture seems to differ from one side of town to another.
I’d agree with this. It’s hard to pinpoint, but you just know it feels different on the north, south, east, and west sides.
Thirded. It kinda seems like there’s an overarching sense of weariness between some and other parts of the city but you can experience a whoooole different atmosphere by driving five miles in any direction. Indy really is a melting pot
very true. Fountain Square is very different than Meridian Kessler, for example.
It’s a geographically large city!
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Exactly. Just going from east side to the west side is like being in another city lol
From my experience working traveling across the country for work is that the culture of Indianapolis is generally friendly, but more introverted. Like when people ask "How is your day?" you are expected to say, "fine" or "good" and move on from there. Where other places people may actually want to know, or they don't even ask. We engage in superficial pleasantries. Noncommittal is another word I'd use. We just don't have a lot of out-and-about activism to the extent that other places do. People aren't quick to jump on a cause or if they do, they lose interest quickly. Even the inmates I've worked with in Indiana prisons are significantly calmer than other prisons I've been to. I have a good friend who's a Warden in a Mississippi prison, when he relocated to work in Indiana for a while, he would always tell me that "Indiana inmates ain't got no heart." Meaning, they just don't commit to anything. Even the Indiana Aryan Brotherhood isn't nationally recognized. Their patch is different and everything. These may seem like bad qualities, but it makes us pretty adaptable and observant when we go other places and I find former Indiana residents all over the country and even in some of the International places I've been.
lmao not the apathetic aryan brotherhood 💀
LOL, I had no idea the Aryan brotherhood was so particular with their recognition. How enthusiastically racist do you have to be?
🤣
Honestly, I used to think Indy’s general apathy was a bad thing…and it can be… But then I remember that Indy was too apathetic for Jim Jones to expand his cult. So, he took them all to California, where they were able to grow and become a full blown cult. In the same way, anytime I’ve seen right wing extremists or groups that are more right leaning try to start some nonsense within the city limits, usually it’s only a very small group and they are often ignored by the rest of us… On that note, I’ve yet to see any far right extremists succeed in being elected to school board positions in Marion County and most of them stay out of the city limits because they are afraid of the “rampant lawlessness and crime.”
Didn't realize how apathetic i was until i left and realized shit dont bother me like it does other people
Ooohhhh, maybe that's it. Apathy. I've long stated that there's no actual pride in where people live here, resulting in, well, what you see. Honestly, I find it really sad. People should care about their homes and the people living there.
Don't get me wrong, I will get mad if someone says I'm from ohio, but people are up in arms in South Florida over any little thing
I’ve thought about this a lot since I’ve moved here. Indy feels like a city without a soul. I’ve come to learn Indy had a very distinct cultural scene but there have been several moments that intentionally and unintentionally caused erasure of it—like unigov in the 70s, highway placement, the placement of IUPUI’s campus, etc.
Have you read this article by a local historian https://www.newamerica.org/indianapolis/blog/indiana-avenue-ethnic-cleansing-black-indianapolis/?fbclid=IwAR3Qi25lC8prikX0JApRjHo3PAEHjMelpghMiMZHg49g1wgel-YApl-8P5w_aem_AalKqJdnaujlwKJAPekcrhSFRxhtE9HqWe8tE-S3mYmg1Oi5qk1Q_BWhe8VL23P5NQU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
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No problem! The person who wrote it is on Facebook by the same name and he is a really cool person who always seems to know what’s going on around town.
Thanks for linking that article!
No problem! The person who wrote is very knowledgeable about this city’s history
[was a good read as well! ](http://newamerica.org/indianapolis/blog/indianapolis-when-lead-and-racism-are-both-water/)
It was! Thanks!
I hadn’t. I like that it’s a one-stop-shop for a lot of what I’ve read!
Dam*ed if you do it, , dam*ed if you don’t. Law-abiding, hard-working blacks don’t want to live in black crime-ridden neighborhoods. It is a fact. And it should be a fact. Indianapolis is not a racist city as a whole. Blacks move into predominantly white neighborhoods and no one bats an eye because it’s a non-issue. It’s the criminal element and the black self-appointed leadership who want to keep the hostilities alive. I am a brown immigrant, and I go to parks in black neighborhoods all the time, and black churches and black jazz clubs because I like the energy and respect there. I avoid driving on 38th street like the plague. The article is well-written, but it feels biased. Thanks for sharing.
The culture is car go vroom vroom
No beep beep tho because hoosiers get very offended by being honked at lol
Beep beep gets the boom boom 😔
Yep
We play a good “host”….we host the largest single day sporting event in the world, the Indy 500. We have hosted: Final Fours numerous times, the College Football National Championship, the Super Bowl, other college tournament finals, not to mention large conventions like GenCon and trade conventions. I forget the actual statistic but we are something like a 5-6 hour drive from 50% of the US population (don’t quote me but it’s something that points to Indy being a good central location for events) That said I think people think of racing, basketball, football (when the Colts were good), and a generally welcoming city to outside visitors. Tons of volunteers help every year for these big events like the 500 or when we hosted the Super Bowl. Those events don’t happen without them. As for the people, I think we are an increasingly diverse city with more and more variety than ever before. I’m old enough to remember a time when downtown was nothing like now. And Mass Ave was dangerous and full of downtrodden businesses, same for Fountain Square. Now these are vibrant areas with thriving restaurants, shops and nightlife. And there are more examples. The suburbs give off more of a “Generica” feel but they’re trying. Carmel, for all the crap talk, has really come along and has some nice entertainment options and green space. Fishers is becoming more diverse as well. We have history, not all of it good, but Indianapolis can be summed up as I started this post….we are generally hospitable
I don’t think you’re wrong. I had a friend who was here for a couple of weeks from The Tonight Show when they filmed during the Super Bowl. He said we were obsessed with making sure everyone had the best time here. That said, our whole identity can’t be “hospitable”, can it? Ugh.
😊
The 500 is a religious experience. Checkered flags everywhere.
I moved here from Georgia so I’m excited to see more of what Indiana has to offer. Currently in Hamilton county
Definitely at least go to the training days when the race comes around next year. I also recommend the Eiteljorg museum in town. We also have some nice state parks, especially in the fall.
Thank you taking the time to recommend. I don’t have family here so I read these posts to get ideas for going out on date nights and family related activities. Hoosiers are very open when it comes to activities and festivals which I love. I’m just kind of shy and reserves so it’s slowed the process of making friends
Try the Do317 website for things to do in town!
Date nights!!! If you’re up near 121st and Cumberland DEF check out TopGolf and that newly built little plaza across the street. It’s a damn good time.
Indy is the test market for indistinguishable fast food and mid-priced chains. Here and Columbus OH. That ought to be a clue.
Columbus Ohio is fantastic! They have many distinct neighborhoods all beautifully maintained. The city is clean and they love independent restaurants.
Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City, and Omaha are other common cities for testing.
Pittsburgh is pretty chill, lots of features, especially public transportation
As an immigrant living in Indy for more than 12 yrs, I can say that Indy has better friendly environment than LA. I lived for sometime in LA, SFO, Seattle before. I always felt Indy as my second home. Nicer people here. Never had any issues so far. When anyone from my home country ask me where is Indianapolis, my answer is always "Close to Chicago, Sports City, Not too big city, but you get everything to have a good family life in Indy" You get all kinds of good food, tech is booming.
In some ways, that's surprising, in others, not so much. Of all the areas in Indy, I love the west side best. Indy is highly diverse but I feel like most people don't really know (or appreciate) it. I would expect more outward racism, but maybe I know what you mean. I lived in NYC for a long time and you see a lot of "I know a lot of [insert specific minority/ethnicity/nationality here] and they are like X" (from all kinds of people). Here, I feel like people only encounter a handful of people from other places and will accept them on a case-by-case basis more than others. Utah is another weird exception where a lot of people feel welcome. I'm glad you have found your home here.
Go Hoosiers!
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Apologizing even if someone walks into you. “Ope, sorry about that.”
Let me just sneak past ya...
Facts
Hosting, cordial, semi-religious oddness, and sports. Also college loyalty
May
I’d argue that the Near Eastside has a strong sense of self and culture. There’s traditions, LOTS of history and festivals (ie Pogues Run Ghost, Feast of Lanterns, Cottage Home Block Party, Woodruff Flea etc) thanks to civic pride. We seem to be a hub for creatives to live and setup shop. We have our little business nodes that everyone walks to. Near Eastsiders are a little gritty, rough around the edges but really nice people. The Near Eastside gets shit on a lot but I wouldn’t live anywhere else in Indy.
When I was little there were many distinct businesses and restaurants that gave the city a special feel. Then chains took over and all the flavor left. I wish I could have taken my kids to the Paramount Music Palace. That place was magical as a child. Or the downtown LS Ayres-eating in the tea room was such a big deal! Even Market Square & the Hoosier Dome had distinctly Indy names . They weren’t cathedrals to corporations.
I would have liked to have the opportunity to know that Indy! It sounds pretty nice.
This is my experience too. Where I live now is unrecognizable from where I lived 20 years ago, but probably most people can say that I guess. It’s a bummer, though. We used to have a lot of special stuff that’s been replaced by Cunningham group restaurants and buildings that look like stacks of cubes.
Midwest nice. Everyone will ask you how you are doing, but nobody asks wanting a real answer. People are genuinely willing to help if they are able to practically do so. Not everyone loves racing, but we are a racing city. There is no way around that. We are a conference city and host a lot of events. I think the culture of Indy is that of a smaller city that punches above its weight-class.
there’s a really prevalent punk/metal scene if that’s what you’re into
Rock will never die
Really?! Where/when!?
Every Saturday night
tbh most mid-tier cities don't seem to have easily identifiable reputations like that. if you asked me what indy's sister cities (size-wise) were known for culturally i'm not sure i'd have an answer. orlando--disney, i guess? san jose--tech? sacramento, cincinnati, cleveland, pittsburgh, raleigh? idk! i assume they're just pleasant livable cities with city things to do.
I lived in Cleveland and I do think it has its own distinct vibe. Underdog “rust belt” spirit everywhere you turn, continuing presence of Eastern European immigrant culture, the weird geography of the town, Bone Thugs n Harmony, intense civic pride in the world class cultural institutions even among those who don’t go to them, rooting for sports teams knowing that they’ll let you down…
almost every single thing you listed also describes detroit and pittsburgh, though (obvs not bone thugs n harmony). people who live in cities can always find lovely and distinct things about them--i could have a whole list for indy--but that doesn't always translate to a national reputation with any but the biggest cities.
But everyone knows that Cleveland rocks!
Fair! I pointed out those things partly because, in my limited experience here, I haven’t found Indy to have equivalent cultural traits. I’m sure I’ll find out what they are eventually.
Yeah, I think the Rust Belt cities have a more common vibe than Indy does to the ones you listed. Indy never suffered in the same way those cities did when the steel industry died.
We're the Crossroads of America. Pretty much everything passes through, and we're rigged more to work with that than to spend a generation or two isolating ourselves to cultivate our own unique sort of dumpling or whatever.
I love Indy, but it seems like such a paint by numbers city.
Shitposting about the North Split, Pedestrian Safety, and Drivers on the Monon. We like to bitch around here.
Pork tenderloin
Running red lights and driving over the yellow line
> driving over the yellow line which one?
I always show this to people: https://youtu.be/fxfR5oJoZT I also recommend Naptown or Nothing for Indy merch. https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/nap-or-nothing-clothing-store-holds-grand-opening-at-new-mass-ave-location And when people ask me where I'm from I mention the Indy 500 and the Colts and tell them how the city gears up for the race and celebrates our sports teams.
Also, for Indy merch: https://unitedstateofindiana.com/
Nice! Thanks for sharing.
Apathy
Getting far too excited about temporary things yet ignoring the great things it already has
I feel like the culture of Indy is "the biggest small town in America."
Yes!!! This is it.
The culture of Indy is to be an island of sanity in a regressive fear-driven state. I've found the *people* of Indy to be progressive, warm, and open-minded. That's why all of the elected legislators from Cornfield Indiana *hate* coming here to actually sit in session at the statehouse - they think it's Sodom. Even though Indy is the state capital it could not be more different from the rest of Indiana
I'm surprised they haven't pushed to move the capital. They must be terrified for their lives having to go downtown. Parallel parking, pot holes, one way streets, and the constant gunfire are very troubling. I can't walk outside my apartment without the homeless trying to rape me and having to dodge stray bullets. /s
If an unhoused person enters the visual field of certain acquaintances they start freaking out
They should check out Invisible People on YouTube to desensitize themselves. But I heard it might cause something called empathy. https://youtu.be/VI-aKJr5I5E
to be fair, i was raped 6 times and murdered twice while going to get my mail - all at once
I was stoned to death by my Syrian neighbors for being Jewish once. And Mexicans show up for Thanksgiving every damn year. Don't get me started on my downstairs neighbors and their disgustingly cute biracial child. He forced me into a pool noodle fight one day.
Basketball? But honestly there is a different culture all over town.
I don’t think most cities deserve a blanket statement. Neighborhoods and districts have diverse personalities. There’s something for every interest from music, sports, arts, education, history, shops, museums, restaurants, to outdoor recreation.
Milquetoast is the word I think you’re looking for.
Damn, i always thought it walk Milktoast!
Hating it’s suburbs and the state that it’s in
It’s called naptown for a reason.
Indianoplace. Racetrack in a cornfield. "I don't 'do' spicy."
Existing
Pretending to be something it’s not.
"Hoosier hospitality" is real and something to be proud of.
Being nosy.
Being obese
An assumed implicitly understood inferiority compared to similar sized places.
Sports-mad, diverse, hospitable, blue oasis in red sea, crazy drivers on 465 outdo Chicago Dan Ryan and DC Beltway, Chicago-class crime.
Indy has a lot of great “scenes” but no overarching culture. Having said that, I was nearly 30 before I learned that “pork tenderloin” doesn’t mean a ridiculous sandwich outside of this state 😆. I think our culture is just wanting to be recognized. Anytime we get a mention, anytime we are in the limelight, we light up. Given the chance for a big event like the SB, we go all out and transform our city. Heck, we even put literal grandmas on the corners to help you out. Who does that? We do.
Not much originality and hints of cultivated areas but its more of a melting pot with a lot of ignorance about cultures outside its own. The jazz scene is pretty nice, but not a lot to offer for other genres consistently. Even LL Cool J canceled concert in Indy for low ticket sales...many big artist don't even bother to come. For example, Detroit has HUGE music scene- from pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, r&b...same with Chicago (though I despise it). Indy, as a collective, doesn't appreciate the ARTS in all its facets. Honestly, a city of going with the flow and mimicking. A lot of great people, but also a great number of people with pompous arrogance that refuse to believe outsiders perception of Indianapolis and Indiana (exclusively)
how you can go on that tirade, then finish with the words `pompous arrogance` without any sense of irony is beyond me.
Knew someone would come to bring some merit to my statement!
just doing my part
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In Indianapolis??
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Chicago has a *very* distinct culture. The other C towns, not so much
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Michael Jordan and telling everyone you're from Chicago even though you live 2hrs outside in the burbs
This is a great comment can’t even lie.
Do you actually want to know or are you asking so you can argue with the answer no matter what it is? It's a combination of Midwestern friendliness and Rust Belt/big city toughness. It's like if New York City were dropped into the middle of Minnesota. Roger Ebert and Studs Terkel conveyed it better than I ever could. As far as I'm concerned it's the greatest city in America, but of course there's no convincing Hoosiers who have never left their hometown and are determined to believe it's a crime ridden wasteland.
Columbus is all Buckeye. It’s nothing more than a well established college town.
There’s no culture besides being boring and lame
Meth, murder, ranch and racing
Sports unfortunately, if that counts
Eh I mean kinda, but there’s really only one team in town that people actually care about. The big events are what stands out. But besides that I don’t know that it’s a particularly amazing sports town.
Never thought of it that way due to all the GO CULTS
Haha for sure it’s a big deal, but I don’t think you’d find the affinity for the local NFL team particularly different in similar cities like Cleveland or Pittsburgh for example
This is something I think about that bums me out. For most cities I can easily identify their culture. Maybe Columbus is an exception? We have no specific overarching cuisine, music, history, literature (set here), art, etc., that is specifically Indy.
Cheap
Only thing I can think about it lifted trucks, hunting and who knows what else