There are a few ways to tell someone is from Maryland, but don't worry, they'll let you know before you have to ask. You may be from Maryland if...
1. You have more Old Bay in your kitchen than salt and pepper.
It's a staple. You think we're joking when we ask if you want Old Bay on that, but we're being 100 percent serious. Chicken, crabs, shrimp, fries, hash browns, fish, popcorn, and we even get to drink it in our beer thanks to Flying Dog Brewery.
2. You have at least one item with the flag on it.
Go figure, mine's a crab. Marylanders are all about their flag -- you have to admit it is pretty sweet. Whether it's an actual flag, a sticker, a hoodie or a collectible item, almost every Marylander has flag regalia.
3. You question when out-of-state restaurants offer crab cakes.
Let's face it, Marylanders know at least one recipe for crab cakes. Some know multiple, but we definitely don't trust non-Maryland restaurants to know how to make them Maryland-style.
4. Driving over big bridges doesn't phase you a bit.
Whether it's the 1.7 mile long bridge connecting Virginia to Southern Maryland or the 4.3 miles long Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Marlyanders aren't scared to travel over bridges. Bridges are just another part of driving. It's even more fun when lanes on the Bay Bridge switch directions to allow traffic to flow, and suddenly a one way bridge becomes a two way bridge.
5. You have to teach your friends how to pick a crab.
Marylanders are practically the crab kings and queens. They know how to catch them, cook them and pick them. If you don't know how to pick a crab, ask someone from Maryland and they'll be sure to teach you the right way to get to the delicious meat faster than anyone else.
6. You like lacrosse just as much as football.
You either play it or you watch it. Either way, Marylanders look forward to lacrosse season just as much, if not more, than football season.
7. You get defensive when someone calls it Mary-land.
Mostly because nobody really even pronounces it anywhere close to that. If you're from the actual state, you'd know that most people pronounce it "Merlin" or "Mare-lin." We even sell "Merlin" apparel. Even better is when you get "the land of Mary." No, we don't think you're funny, even if you do.
8. Crab chips are just as popular as regular potato chips.
Sorry in advance if you come to a family cookout in Maryland. Most likely these will be the chips in the main bowl and you can find regular, salted potato chips still in the unopened bag. We like our things crab-flavored, okay?
9. You get called both a Yankee and a Southerner depending on who's talking.
Technically speaking, Marylanders are Southerners. There are people who will argue that Maryland isn't really a southern state because it was neutral in the Civil War. Regardless of the Mason-Dixon Line's location, some refuse to care. To those in the north, we're southerners. To those in the south, we're Yankees. Whichever category a Maryander associates with, be ready for them to argue if you call them the wrong one. Don't call me a Yankee -- I drink my tea sweeter than most and I say "ya'll" more than my North Carolinian friends.
10. You have more state pride than anyone else.
Whether you're talking about crabs, football or the flag, Marylanders love their state more than most. I know my friends think it's weird how much I love Maryland. Even if you move states away, Marylanders will always be proud to say that they were born in "the greatest state in America." We fly our flags as proud as we fly the American flag, and some go as far as showing their pride with tattoos.
