1. New York Is Not New England
Most out-of-towners have no clue what really constitutes “New England.” It’s made up of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont and New Englanders take offense if you get it wrong.
2. Road Trips Here Aren’t Quite As Long
One perk of being in New England is that there’s tons of awesome stuff to do everywhere. If you’re headed to some cool attraction or even another state, the drive probably won’t take longer than an hour or so.
3. Dunkin’ Over Everything
At times it can seem like every New Englander is slightly addicted to Dunkin’ Donuts. Whether you’re stopping for a morning cup of coffee or a deliciously sweet treat, this place is hard to beat.
4. A Trip To The Package Store Will Get You Drunk
While people in most areas of the country might go to the package store when they’re looking to mail something, New Englanders head to the “packie” when they want to get their buzz on. The shelves here are full of booze and it’s all for sale.
5. There’s A Reason You Keep Seeing Whalers Gear
A sort of local legend, the Hartford Whalers used to be a professional hockey team in Connecticut until they left in 1997. Local fans refuse to let go, as they still insist on rocking the Whalers’ green and navy.
6. “Wicked” Might Become Your New Favorite Word
Known for making words even better than they used to be, the adverb “wicked” is very popular in this region. It basically means “more” or “extremely”. For example, saying something is “wicked awesome” means that it is the coolest of cools.
7. No Sales Tax Is Worth The Drive
When it comes to shopping in New England, its best when it’s done in New Hampshire. Thanks to there being no sales tax in this state, what you see is always what you pay.
8. New England Is Kinda Like Your Cool Old Grandpa
When it comes to American history, there’s no better place to experience it firsthand than New England. Thanks to the colonists being around these parts for so long, some pretty cool stuff has happened here and nearly every old building has a story.
9. It Can Get A Bit Haunted Around These Parts
When it comes to haunted houses in New England, they tend to be a dime a dozen. With so much history in the area, a few creepy things are sure to have happened in every town.
10. Don’t Insult Our Lobster Rolls… Ever
When it comes to an awesome local meal, there’s nothing more New England than a lobster roll. Whether you’re getting one at a sit-down restaurant or a seaside shack, it’s a sure thing you’ll be back for more.
11. The Fluffernutter Is The Greatest Sandwich You’ve Never Heard Of
Part marshmallow, part peanut butter, there’s nothing closer to a match made in heaven than this regional snack.
12. Tomatoes And Clam Chowder Don’t Mix
Certain places around the country (cough…cough…New York) insist on stuffing their clam chowder full of tomatoes. Know that doing this in New England is never acceptable.
13. New England Has A Different Type Of Moxie
When it comes to Moxie, New England has plenty. This regional soda tastes unlike anything else on the market. Flavored with gentian root extract, it’s often noted for its bitter taste.
14. Get Your Hands On A Whoopie!
Another favorite in New England, whoopie pies are pretty irresistible. They basically consist of two soft chocolate cake buns filled with a creamy frosting, truly a sinfully delicious desert.
15. Boston Sports Reign King
Whether they’re cheering for the Celtics, the Bruins, the Red Sox, or the Patriots, you can count on crazed New Englanders filling the stadiums at the start of each game (except for one weird part of Connecticut that sides with NY).
With teams in the area known for dominating entire leagues, there’s no better place to be a sports fan in the country.
16. Fall Is Our Favorite Season (And We Know It’s Yours Too)
Come autumn in New England, the entire landscape turns into a rainbow of colors, as changing foliage turns this area of the country into an entirely different world perfect for everything outdoors.
Also, BTW, if you’re from out of town, you’re automatically a “leaf-peeper.”
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17. Tom Brady Might Be The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Football
A great that will be remembered for many years to come, few quarterbacks have ever achieved the level of excellence that Tom Brady continues to perform at. One of the smartest athletes to ever play the game, love for Brady in New England is undying.
18. Don’t Drink From The Water Fountain!
While most people around the country head to the fountain for a drink, New Englanders head for the bubbler. Saying you got a “sip from the water fountain” is a sure way to get a few strange looks in this part of the country.
19. There Are Frappes And There Are Milkshakes
If you’re a big fan of ice cream, it’s important to know the difference between a frappe and a milkshake. In New England, frappes have ice cream in them while shakes are just milk and flavoring. Make sure you order what you actually want.
20. Ben And Jerry’s Solves Any Problem
A hometown hero in Vermont, Ben and Jerry’s is perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth. Meeting someone that works there is a pretty big deal, as they get plenty of free pints for their own personal consumption.
21. New York Hate Is A Thing
Lots of people in New England don’t like the Big Apple. If an out-of-towner is in for a visit, make sure they know not to talk about how awesome their recent trip to New York City was the entire time.
22. Bowling Pins Are Smaller Here
Unless someone is from New England, there’s a good chance they’ve never heard of candlepin bowling. While there are plenty of differences between this and typical bowling, a few of the most obvious changes are the tiny balls and thinner pins used to play this game.
23. Jimmies On Everything, Please!
Another regional term, “jimmies” are what New Englanders call colorful sprinkles, proven to make any cookie, doughnut, or scoop of ice cream instantly taste better.
24. It’s Just “The Cape”
If an out-of-towner wants to stick out like a sore thumb, they should keep talking about “Cape Cod.” Every New Englander knows not to use the full name of this hot spot, here it’s “the Cape.”
25. Things Can Get A Little Intense Here
Aggression is a way of life in the larger New England cities, whether you’re driving or just walking. Don’t be too insulted if someone flips the bird at you for apparently no reason. There’s a reason the term “Masshole” is a thing (and we’re all pretty much okay with using this term).
26. But Don’t Worry, Most Of New England Is Pretty Laid Back
While the larger cities in New England can get a bit hectic, most of the region is much more relaxed with plenty of rural towns and farmland (plus all of those covered bridges, red barns and antiques stores you’ve heard of).
It’s the perfect mix of both worlds, sure to have something for every out-of-towner that’s in for a visit.
27. If It Snows, Life Goes On
Though some areas of the country tend to shut down at the mere suggestion that flurries might be headed their way, New Englanders are a little tougher than that. Regardless of how much snow is on the ground, people in this region have no problem going about their daily lives.
28. Skiing Isn’t Just Out West
If an out-of-towner is headed to the East Coast during the colder months of the year, they’re in for a treat. While the mountains here might not be quite as big as the ones in Colorado, states like Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire have plenty of awesome skiing to go around.
29. Boston Is The Big Kid On This Block
If someone in New England says they’re headed to “the city”, there’s a good chance they’re talking about Boston. The largest city in New England, Beantown is definitely worth a visit.
The main thing to remember, though, is that “the city” is (definitely) not New York to us.
30. They Aren’t Called Roundabouts Here
Getting directions can be pretty confusing for an out-of-towner in New England. Not only are tons of city and street names seemingly impossible to pronounce, certain traffic terms like “rotary” are unique to the area.
Whether a visitor ends up encountering one or not, they should know that in this area a “rotary” is just another way to refer to a “roundabout.”
31. Diners Will Change The Way You Eat
When it comes to eating late, New England does it right.
All across New England, there are tons of 24/7 diners known for serving up the best American classics around. Next time its 3am and your stomach starts growling, there’s no finer place to sit down and dine.
32. There’s No Better Place To Grow Up Than In New England
With beautiful landscapes, tons of awesome people, and some of the best seafood in the world, life in New England is pretty impossible to top. It might not be a tropical paradise or a foreign land, but if someone comes to visit, they’ll be begging to come back before they even leave.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about New England? Tell us in the comments below!
