1. The First Thing You’ll Hear Is “Oh, The Tiny State, Right?”

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: imgur.com

Yeah, sure, it’s tiny. But it packs a whole lot of awesome into such a small space.

2. And People Will Ask Why Island Is In The Name

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user emilie_p

Um… you do know Rhode Island encompasses islands too right? Buy a map.

3. It’s Impossible To Start Your Day Without Coffee Milk

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user spablab

Why is coffee milk so hard to find everywhere else? Because no one has any taste, obviously.

4. And Surviving Summer Without Del’s Is Terrible

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user the_wb

Cooling off with delicious frozen lemonade was half the reason you looked forward to the entire season in the first place.

5. Hot Wieners Might Make Immature Folks Giggle

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Wikipedia user Skeejay

But you know they’re just a delicious food that Rhode Island does better than everyone else, and that are absolutely never eaten with ketchup. And good luck explaining that New York System is a Rhode Island thing.

6. No One Will Be Able To Place Your Accent

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: pandawhale.com

“What is that? Boston? Brooklyn?”

7. You Now Have The Best Art Collection Around

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user hahatango

It’s all those pieces you bought from RISD students before their big break.

8. Private Beaches Are The Worst Thing Ever

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user 51274664@N06

It’s like no one but Rhode Islanders learned the importance of sharing as a child.

9. Sorry In Advance If You Didn’t Go To Brown

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user dpangandoyon

You’ll field so many questions about where you went to school that you’ll start to feel like everyone is your disappointed mom.

10. Also Sorry If You’re Not A “Family Guy” Fan

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: giphy.com

Because suddenly being from Rhode Island will make you an expert on the show, and everyone will want to know if you ever met Seth MacFarlane.

11. No One Knows What A Quahog Is

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user noaaphotolib

Unless they’re an aforementioned “Family Guy” fan and they think they know. Plus, it’s completely impossible to find decent quahog chowder outside Rhode Island.

12. And Amazing Rhode Island Clam Cakes Are A Thing Of The Past

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user cdavey

You are absolutely required to stuff your face with as many clam cakes as possible before leaving. It’s the law. (It’s not actually the law, but it should be.)

13. You’ll Spend Tons Of Time Defending Providence

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user nicholaspsmith

Okay, so it’s not as well known as other East Coast cities, but it’s like all the best parts of those other cities without the ridiculous prices and garbage streets.

14. You’ll Have To Remember So Many Area Codes

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: brokegirlrich.com

Ugh, so many numbers. Why can’t everyone just go with a simple 401 system?

15. Johnnycakes For Breakfast Is The Perfect Homesickness Cure

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user shockinglytasty

Whether you like them nice and thick, or thin and lacy, there’s nothing like a belly full to make you feel right back at home.

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16. Thanks To Nor’easters, You Can Weather Any Storm

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user gsfc

You’ll be the go-to person in any crisis, because Rhode Islanders know how to stay super calm even as the weatherman is hiding under his desk.

17. But You’ll Have To Find Somewhere Else To Grab Storm Supplies

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user jeepersmedia

And by supplies we’re talking about fifteen kinds of chips and enough booze to forget about the storm and treat any wounded from Cumbies (which is sadly not a thing most places).

18. Ordering A Coffee Extra Extra Is Just Going To Confuse Your Barista

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user woneffe

Just like with coffee milk, the rest of the world apparently has no taste when it comes to their caffeinated beverages.

19. And Asking For Ants On Your Ice Cream Will Get Some Weird Looks

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user polianamborgas

Not the bugs, the little candy pieces. Why would someone order bugs on ice cream?

20. You’ll Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night With D’Angelo’s Cravings

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user JeepersMedia

Because apparently D’Angelo’s sandwiches take about ten years to fully leave your system and/or your dreams.

21. It Takes Forever To Get Across Other States

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: giphy.com

When someone says they’re taking an out of state road trip, it’s easy to picture a little forty-minute car ride. They are not talking about a forty-minute car ride.

22. On The Bright Side, You Probably Won’t Fall Into A Pothole

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user woneffe

In Rhode Island, potholes earn their name. They are literal holes. In the street. Where you’re supposed to drive. Not just tiny cracks in the pavement.

23. And Gas Will Never Be As Expensive As You’re Used To

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user grifray

It’s not like you ever drove for more than ten minutes at a time in Rhode Island anyway, but the ridiculously expensive gas prices will make everywhere else seem awesomely cheap.

24. Rhode Islanders Are Just Way More Honorable

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user usdagov

The honor system farm seems totally bizarre to most people outside Rhode Island. What, you just take something and leave the right amount of money? How hard is that.

25. You’ll Have To Explain That The Awful Awful Is Actually Awesome Awesome

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Newport Creamery Facebook

And people will be totally grossed out when you try to explain the drink three fourth one’s free challenge.

26. Most People Won’t Let You Explore Their Fancy Mansions

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Preservation Society of Newport County Facebook

Hanging out at the Newport Mansions is the best way to feel like royalty for a day, but you try that in other states and you might have security called on you.

27. You’ll Feel Nostalgic Every Time A Friend Posts A Lighthouse Photo

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user scatty

Your Instagram feed used to be full of lighthouse photos. Man, those were the days.

28. Most People Don’t Think Of The Paw Sox When You Say The Sox

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user tomrugg

But the Pawtucket Red Sox will always have a special place in your heart that the Boston Red Sox just can’t compete with.

29. Chickens Aren’t The Usual City Family Pet

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user thebosque

In Providence no one thinks twice about having a couple chickens in their backyard, and while a few other green cities are following in Rhode Island’s footsteps, most people stick with cats and dogs.

30. Everyone Wastes Too Much Space

Leaving Rhode Island

Source: Flickr user jjeff

Rhode Island might be small, but not a single bit of the state is wasted. From family farms to beautiful coastline, and all the cool historic landmarks, pretty architecture, and local businesses in between, Rhode Island fits a lot into a little.
What do you miss most about Rhode Island? Tell us in the comments below!

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