If you don’t know already, New England is comprised of 6 states in the northeast portion of the United States. And if you’re from New England then you know that it’s completely different from any other place in the country. I live in New Hampshire and never really realized how different New England was until I traveled out of the area and moved to college. We say some “weird” things and sometimes non-New Englanders have absolutely no idea what we are talking about. It honestly can be a struggle sometimes. Here’s five struggles New Englanders face when traveling out of New England.

1. The meaning of the word Wicked

If you’re from anywhere else in the country wicked means evil, but if you’re from New England it’s just another word for really. Ex: She’s wicked good at running. When you say this for the first time in front of a non-New Englander you will get a strange look as they try to figure out exactly what you’re saying. This can get wicked annoying wicked fast.

2. Where's the bubbler?

If you have ever asked this question in a state that’s not part of New England, you probably got the answer “What the heck are you talking about?”. You know a water bubbler? The thing you get a drink of water from? Apparently the term “water bubbler” isn’t a phrase outside of New England and everyone else just says water fountain. But personally that just sounds boring and bubbler is a wicked fun word to say.

3. Explaining why you don't have an accent

Contrary to popular belief not everyone from New England has a Boston accent. There aren’t even a ton of people in Boston with a Boston accent. A Boston accent isn’t even the only accent that comes from New England as there are some parts of Maine with a slight accent.

4. Everyone assuming you love snow and the cold

Actually, a lot of us hate it. Are we used to it? Yes. Can we handle four feet of snow at a time? Yes. But do we actually enjoy it? Only for a certain amount of time. Yes, there are people out there who absolutely love winter and never want it to end. But a majority of us like it for a month or two and are over it.

5. Constantly defending the Patriots

Once you tell a football fan that you’re from New England, Tom Brady’s on-again off-again Deflate Gate is bound to be brought up. Once this happens, you’re stuck in a 15-minute conversation where all you do is defend Brady and the rest of the team. I mean innocent until proven guilty, right? Go Pats!