Living in Massachusetts comes with its own special set of delights…and quirks. There’s something about this beautiful state that can leave long-time residents with some pretty weird side-effects. While we all think we’re relatively normal, here are a few ways that being a Bay Stater marks you for life.
1. You thought Mount Greylock was magical way before Harry Potter.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has recently revealed that our tallest mountain is the site of the American version of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Pretty cool, but we knew it was out of this world long before that.
2. You will do everything in your power to avoid rush hour traffic on the Mass Pike.
Staying late at the in-laws? Sure. Scheduling a doctor’s appointment for 4 a.m.? No problem. Skipping the movie altogether and just going home after dinner? Yup. No local wants to be caught up in that vehicular mess.
3. You like your hot dogs served on buns like these.
None of those weird, rounded buns for you. New England style buns all the way. Bet you didn't even know this one was weird.
4. You always plan for every type of weather, because in this state you just. never. know.
Forecast calls for sunny skies all day? That's no reason not to pack a raincoat and possibly even snow boots. Heck, bring a helmet just in case you meet some hail along the way. The weather here keeps us all guessing.
5. You know how to pronounce Gloucester...
You definitely cringe every time a tourist says they're headed up to "Glow-kes-ter" for the day.
6. ...and quahog...
You know how to eat a bunch, too.
7. …and you know that Florida isn’t just a sunny vacation destination.
Our very own Florida has plenty of perks of its own, including some epic fall foliage and a pretty cool elk.
8. Plus, you probably spent some time as a kid trying to say Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg three times fast. Or...even once.
Nowadays, you just call it Webster Lake like a sane person
9. When you say "out west," you’re not talking about cowboys and frontier towns.
Western Mass. boasts some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of anywhere in the state. If you’re from central or eastern Massachusetts, you’re likely to head out west to spend some time in nature.
10. You don’t make a coffee run, you make a "Dunks run."
I mean, where else are you gonna get a giant cardboard box of coffee and approximately 94 donuts for the office? Certainly not the fancy French coffee shop on the corner.
11. You still think it’s normal for kids to play outside until dinnertime.
While our kids certainly know their way around a screen, it’s still pretty common for children to spend some serious time exploring outside.
12. You’re proud to call Massachusetts home.
Other people might bash their own states, but Massachusetts natives have a huge degree of pride in where they’re from.
13. Even when things get a little weird.
Hey, sometimes life is a little quirky here in the Bay State. But no matter how far you roam for work, school or pleasure, Massachusetts is always there to welcome you home.
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