1. Everyone Hates The Patriots
While the Patriots get plenty of love in New England, most football fans treat them like the Yankees of the NFL, thanks to their recent successes over the last decade and the various scandals they’ve been involved in. Expect a little jealous hatred when you start talking about your favorite team.
2. Thankfully, Everyone Also Hates The Yankees
People might not like the Patriots, but tons of people also hate the Yankees, so you’ve got that going for you. You’ll have no problem finding someone to talk trash about this New York baseball team with.
3. You’ll Meet Plenty Of Red Sox “Fans”
It’s no secret that when a team is good, tons of fair-weather fans step out of the woodwork to show their support. You’ll run into plenty of Boston fans that have joined the bandwagon over the last 10 years, despite having no connection to the East Coast.
It will definitely get annoying if you consider yourself a die-hard supporter of the team.
4. People Assume New England Is Really Just Boston
Even though the New England region consists of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, everywhere outside of Boston tends to get ignored by the outside world.
Don’t fret too much. It’s mostly because outsiders simply aren’t aware of the truth.
5. You Might Get Called A Masshole
Thanks to the aggressive lifestyle that many East Coasters lead, everyone from New England tends to get lumped under the description of “Masshole.” Don’t let it get to you, just take pride that the place you’re from is unique enough to have a reputation around the country.
6. America Doesn’t Run On Dunkin’
Don’t let the Dunkin’ Donuts slogan mislead you. Other coffee shops tend to reign supreme if you start to travel around the country. Sometimes you might still be able to find that Dunkin’ cup that you love so much, but often you’ll have to settle for Starbucks.
7. Don’t Freak Out When You Find Tomatoes In Your Chowder
While New England clam chowder is served up tomato free, some parts of the country insist on putting these veggies in their version of this dish. It’s something you’ll never get used to.
8. Good Lobster Rolls Are Hard (Impossible?) To Find
In New England, finding a great meal can be as easy as walking up to the nearest shoreside shack and handing them cash…unfortunately that’s not always the case. If you’re ordering a lobster roll far from home, expect the lobster to by dry and flavorless.
9. “What’s A Bubbler?”
Even though you might have grown up calling that machine you get a drink from a “bubbler”, this term doesn’t really get out much. If you ask for a bubbler outside of New England, expect a blank stare. Everywhere else it’s a “water fountain.”
10. People Will Assume You’re Loaded
The entire Northeast region has a reputation for being full of wealthy people, rightfully so if you look at the stats behind this stereotype.
This might cause new friends to treat you a bit differently, expecting you to cover cabs and pick up rounds simply because they think just because you’re from the east coast, you’re probably a blue-blood.
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11. No One Else Says Frappe
Everywhere else a “frappe” is simply a milkshake. If you’re in the Midwest and order a “frappe” at dinner, the server probably won’t know how to respond.
12. Expect People To Freak Out When It Snows
Just because New England gets along fine with a little snow on the ground, don’t expect this everywhere. Most places around the country aren’t as familiar with life in a winter wonderland as you are.
People tend to panic, emptying grocery shelves and causing huge traffic jams on lightly snow dusted roads. It’s sure to be a nuisance.
13. Late Night Dining Might Not Be An Option
Diners that stay open 24/7 are kind of an East Coast thing. If you’re used to grabbing a late night snack on your drunken trip home from the bars, you’ll probably be stuck with fast food.
14. “New York Is In New England, Right?”
While many people assume the New England revolves around Boston, tons of others assume that New York is the hub of this region. Nothing is worse than when new friends mistake you for a New Yorker.
15. Driving Won’t Be So Intense
With narrow roadways and aggressive drivers, navigating around a New England city can be a pretty tense operation, as flipped birds and honking horns have become a normality in many parts.
While it’s just a way of driving in the New England region, these acts won’t be taken so lightly outside of the East Coast.
16. People Will Find Your Use Of “Wicked” Funny
Unless someone’s from New England, there’s a good chance they haven’t worked the word “wicked” into their vocabulary yet. The first few times you drop this adverb mid-sentence, it’s sure to catch them off guard. Don’t worry though. They’ll be saying it themselves in no time.
17. Most Americans Ship Packages From The “Package Store”
Another word that doesn’t really leave the region, calling a liquor store the “package store” or “packie” will just confuse new friends. They probably won’t even know what you’re talking about at first. After all, why would someone wait until a big party to mail things?
18. Candlepin Bowling Will Be Impossible To Find
With smaller balls and smaller pins, you’ll never find a candlepin bowling place outside of the New England region. Maybe outsiders just aren’t comfortable enough with their bowling abilities to take on the additional challenge.
Well, at least that means bowling will be significantly easier out there.
19. Get Your Moxie Fix Before You Go
A regional favorite when it comes to soft drinks, Moxie will be impossible to find most other places in the country. Drink all you can before you leave.
20. Bring A Few Bottles Of Maple Syrup Along For The Ride
After leaving New England, you’ll be shocked at the sticky substance that most Americans are trying to pass off as “maple syrup.” If you don’t bring some of your favorite brand with you, you’ll be begging friends back home to ship you some in no time.
Oh and prepare to say, many times, “yes, it really is better than the store-bought stuff.”
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21. No One Will Know The Whalers
While this former professional hockey team still gets plenty of love in New England, you won’t find many fans for the Hartford Whalers across the rest of America.
22. You’ll Miss All That History
The first place colonists settled, there seems to be an awesome story about every street corner in New England. You’ll be a little let down when you find out your new town was built within the last 50 years (or something is considered to be a “historical site” just because it survived the 1970’s).
23. And You’ll Even Miss All The Ghosts
Thanks to all the history in New England, it’s no surprise that Scooby Doo and the gang were so successful at hunting down ghosts in this area. Your new home probably won’t be quite so haunted. Just hope you don’t get too lonely.
24. Some Differences Are Just Jaw-Dropping
Most New Englanders are aware that they live in one of the more liberal parts of the country. However the first time many of them encounter bright red states or the Bible belt, they’ll be a bit surprised at how different these places really are.
New things are likely to surprise you every day when it comes to religion and social politics.
25. People Will Always Ask You To Repeat Yourself
New Englanders have a tendency to talk really fast. That coupled with an accent makes it pretty hard for outsiders to catch every word. Don’t be surprised if people have a hard time understanding you at first.
26. Jimmy Is Usually Just Some Dude’s Name
Some people say they’re just the chocolate sprinkles, other New Englanders say they can be rainbow too, but nowhere else in the country is in a heated debate about what sprinkles are called.
If you order ice cream outside of New England, just go with “sprinkles” unless you want to explain yourself.
27. New Friends Will Love The Fluffernutter
A sandwich consisting of peanut butter and marshmallow cream, most Americans aren’t as aware of this improvement on the PB & J as you are. Introduce them to it and they’ll love you for it.
28. Whoopie Pies Don’t Really Travel
Two soft slabs of chocolate cake stuffed with frosting, it’s hard to beat this New England treat. Fortunately, this one is easy enough to make wherever you are, making you the life of any party.
29. You’ll Miss Fall More Than You Thought You Would
Sure, everywhere in the country acknowledges the fall months. It’s just that everyone just doesn’t get the fall you know and love.
If the time of year that the New England trees turn so many different colors is your favorite time of the year, expect a letdown wherever you end up moving.
30. Nowhere Will Ever Top New England
If you’re from New England and you love it, no were else will ever take the place it has in your heart. Everywhere you go, you’ll find it hard not to just compare the new place to New England, pointing out every aspect that falls short.
Fortunately, once you’re a New Englander, you’re a New Englander for life. They’ll always welcome you back with open arms.
What do you miss about New England? Tell us in the comments below!
