Inspired by Zhu’s post in which she talks about ways that she is still French, I thought I’d list some ways that I’m still a New Englander. As you know, I moved out of New England in 2003 and have been living in Las Vegas ever since, but there are still some habits I have that are particular to Massachusetts/New Hampshire that give away my origins every time.
- Words – I still call the athletic shoes I wear sneakers, I use elastics instead of rubber bands, and I’ve been known to wear dungarees on rare occasions.
- Accent – As much as I try to hide it, my Massachusetts accent still comes out at times, especially when I’m tired or talking to someone from that part of the country.
- Fish – I believe that the best way to have fish is beer battered, deep fried and covered in ketchup. Mister can’t even watch – ketchup on fish makes him sick.
- Roast Beef – You haven’t lived until you’ve had a roast beef sandwich prepared the way you can only find in Massachusetts (apparently, since I’ve looked everywhere else).
- Wicked – I still use the word wicked a wicked lot. It’s used in place of the word very, i.e. “Roast beef sandwiches from Harrison’s in North Andover are wicked good!”
- Fall – Fall is my favorite season, one that I miss sorely being in Las Vegas. And weather? It’s bright and sunny all the time here in Vegas. After 6 1/2 years of the same weather every day, I’m bored. There’s that old saying about weather in New England – If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.
- Directions – I still have a habit of giving directions by landmarks, which my husband thinks confuses people. But you’ll never find my mom’s driveway if you aren’t looking for the Playskool mailbox that is just past the driveway with all the junk in it. Also, roads with a number designation are called by their number, and ONLY the number. For example, everyone knows that all the stores in Tax-Free Salem, New Hampshire are on 28, not Route 28 or Broadway. Another thing I do is measure driving distance in time. Instead of telling someone that it’s about 7 miles to my office from home, I tell them it’s about 15 minutes. This drives my husband crazy, but he’s getting used to it.
- Ice Cream – I once read that Massachusetts has the highest per capita consumption of ice cream, but I haven’t been able to substantiate that in my online research. Still, it was a huge let-down when I moved to Las Vegas and the ice cream aisle at the grocery store wasn’t a full aisle. It was more like half an aisle. And I couldn’t find a proper ice cream sundae when I went out, because I missed Friendly’s too much. But I still prefer jimmies on my ice cream. Sprinkles just sounds so wrong.
- Chowder – I don’t usually go for chowder, but I do believe that it has to be thick, creamy, and loaded with clams and potatoes. That clam and tomato soup that the New Yorkers try to pass off as chowder is just wrong.
- Liquor – I still can’t get over the fact that you can buy hard liquor at any old store here. In MA, you have to go to a package store. In NH, you head to a state-run liquor store, which is usually on a major highway.
I’ve been thinking of this quite a bit, especially in light of an upcoming trip to visit my family. Going back there is instantly familiar, almost like I never left. Except when I start seeing all the changes that have happened since the last visit.
Here’s a list of some regional humor for you:
You Know You’re From NH When
Another NH Joke List
You Know You’re From MA When
Another MA Joke List
Yet Another MA List
And Some More MA Jokes
How Massachusetts Are You?
A General New England List
There’s some duplication on the lists, but they’re fun. I do have to make a point about the driving, though – no one runs red and yellow lights like drivers in Las Vegas. Seriously – come here and check it out sometime. It’s probably why my car insurance doubled when I moved here from MA.
So, now that you’ve read my list, what are some things that identify you as being from your hometown, even if you’ve moved away?
