There are some things that are just innately New England, from Dunkin Donuts to seasonal leaf peepers, there are just some habits that those who live in New England pick up after living in this region. Here are just a few things that New Englanders traveling to other parts of the country and the world recognize.
1. People are just friendlier.
In New England states, especially in Massachusetts, it's not uncommon for people to simply scowl when passing each other on the street. Coming from that environment, it is especially startling for people to happily wave or smile at you, even complete strangers.
"Are you talking to me?" "Was that wave meant for me, or are you just waving to a friend behind me?"
2. People walk so much slower.
This might just be isolated to the west coast, but as a transplant from the East to West coast, the most frustrating thing to deal with is the constant meandering pace that people here tend to adopt.
"Why are you walking so slowly? Don't you have somewhere to go?"
3. Walking into buildings that were built in 60s and 70s, as opposed to the 1860s and 70s.
This is Paul Revere's house in Boston, but most of the time, this is just what the houses in New England look like, minus the all brown exterior.
People from the oldest part of country tend to be spoiled by all of the history that surrounds us on a daily basis, which makes going to other parts of the United States so odd, when you just expect the classic brick and ivy beauty that New England always has to offer
"So how old is the house? 70s? Same, my house was built in 1778! ...Whoops that's not what you meant..."
4. The distance in between towns and cities.
Drive in New England for forty five minutes and you've probably passed through at least six or seven towns, but drive in any other part of the United States and it will take you forty five minutes to drive from one town to another. People from the East coast are shocked when people from every other part of the country think nothing of a five or six hour drive to go somewhere for a weekend.
"So we're driving six hours there and six hours back for a weekend? No thanks."
5. Knowing how to immediately spot another New Englander when you're away from home.
There's just something about people from New England that makes you recognize them in a crowd. Is it the Red Sox/Patriots/Celtics clothing that makes them stand out like a beacon? Or is it the ever present annoyed face coupled with the distaste for standing in any sort of line? Maybe it's just the innate sense that there's a person around you longing to be back in the beauty of New England, missing the coastline or the trees or even the awful transportation system. If you were raised in New England, no matter where else you go, the East will always feel like home.
