Going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come...

A person's hometown can really shape their personality. As someone who has spent a majority of her life living in Kansas City, I'd like to share some facts about the city I call home.

You know you're from Kansas City when...

...you know that Kansas City is actually two cities in two states, Kansas and Missouri. Therefore, you differentiate the two as KCK and KCMO.

... you are traveling and you tell people you are from Kansas City, even though you don't actually live in Kansas City proper. You live in one of the many suburbs that make up the greater KC metro area.

... if you live on the Kansas side, you think Missouri drivers are pokey and frustrating. If you live on the Missouri side, you think Kansas drivers are crazy and erratic.

... you know just how fierce the KU vs MU rivalry is; and that you'd best pick a side and stay loyal.

... your airport is known as KCI (Kansas City International Airport) yet, the airport code is MCI.

... you tell visitors that your city is the "City of Fountains" and they look at you blankly because no one outside of the city has EVER heard it called that, even though we do have over 200 fountains sprinkled throughout the city.

... you've given the following answers: "Yes, we have tornados." "No, I don't know Dorothy." "No, I've never met the Wizard and I've never been to Oz."

... you Christmas shop at the Plaza and ice skate at Crown Center in the winter.

... you know better than to try and drive through "the triangle" at rush hour.

... you know to get off the interstate if you're headed into downtown and the traffic report says there's an accident at the Benton curve.

... you very rarely actually go downtown, unless you're going to a convention at Bartle Hall, a concert at Kemper, or a play at one of the downtown theatres.

... you've barhopped in Westport.

... you've eaten yummy authentic Mexican food down on Southwest Boulevard.

... you've ridiculed the giant shuttlecock sculptures on the lawn of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art to your local friends, but defended them to out-of-towners.

... you've driven by President Harry Truman's house in Independence, MO (one of those many KC suburbs).

... you think Johnson County folks are a bit pretentious (even if you are one).

... you've had a Gates BBQ employee shout at you, "May I help you?"

... you've tailgated at a Chiefs football game or seen a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium.

... you only buy Hallmark cards, because you care enough to send the very best - and because Hallmark corporate headquarters is in KC and there's a Hallmark store around every corner!

... you're mad because Nebraska Furniture Mart used to delivery to Kansas City for free, all the way from Omaha, but now that they have a big new NFM store right here in KC, you have to pay for delivery!

... you caught Nascar fever when they built the new racetrack out in KCK.

... you've spent many a day riding rides and eating park food at Worlds of Fun.

... you've watched the American Royal parade and rodeo and sampled BBQ at the annual cookoff.

... you know that KC has a jazz district down at 18th and Vine, but you've never been there.

What kinds of characteristics help define your hometown?