Rhode Islanders are a unique bunch with big personalities. You might not expect such a strong local culture to be found in such a small state, but you’ll simply never find another place quite like Little Rhody. While there are tons of state customs and traditions, there are also some pretty big things to avoid while visiting. Here are sure fire ways to annoy the people of Rhode Island.
- Never ever deface the Big Blue Bug with graffiti!
Flickr/sandwich Whenever this happens the entire state has a conniption. Nibbles Woodaway is our best friend, mascot, and true Rhode Island hero.
- Do not drink your Del’s lemonade with a straw.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz Rhode Islanders love their ice lemonade! Mr. Lemon is pretty great too. Whether you’re drinking Del’s, or Mr. Lemon don’t use a straw if you want to blend in with the locals.
- We cringe each time our accents are confused for Boston accents.
Flickr/Denis-Carl Robidoux There is a difference! Don’t mistake it.
- Mediocre clam chowder is definitely worth a cringe in the Ocean State.
Flickr/snowpea&bokchoi Little Rhody is filled with fantastic seafood restaurants serving up amazing and often locally sourced seafood. Clam chowder is taken VERY seriously.
- While we’re on the topic of food, never offer a true Rhode Islander less than delicious pizza.
Flickr/The Pizza Review With a huge italian population all around, the authenticity of our pizza is quite impressive. Bad pizza just ins’t worth it.
- You might get even more than a cringe if you say anything bad about Tom Brady, or the New England Patriots.
Flickr/Keith Allison They’re the best for a reason and New England loves them.
- Don’t tell a Rhode Islander they have to drive for more than 15 minutes.
Flickr/Daniel Hackney Anything after 15 minutes is just too far away.
- I always cringe when I meet someone out of state who doesn’t know where Rhode Island is.
Wikipedia I know it’s small, but you should at least know that it’s in New England! It is one of the oldest states after all.
- Getting stuck in beach traffic is always a bummer.
Flickr/Laura LaRose The summer brings so many tourists, but who can blame them? Little Rhody is packed with gorgeous nature sites.
- Do not bring up snow during our few short weeks of summer!
Flickr/Jef Nickerson New England has some harsh realities and the weather is definitely among them. If we’re finally enjoying nice weather, do not bring up snow. Just don’t.
I hate whenever these things come up! To read more about life in Rhode Island, click here.
Flickr/sandwich
Whenever this happens the entire state has a conniption. Nibbles Woodaway is our best friend, mascot, and true Rhode Island hero.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Rhode Islanders love their ice lemonade! Mr. Lemon is pretty great too. Whether you’re drinking Del’s, or Mr. Lemon don’t use a straw if you want to blend in with the locals.
Flickr/Denis-Carl Robidoux
There is a difference! Don’t mistake it.
Flickr/snowpea&bokchoi
Little Rhody is filled with fantastic seafood restaurants serving up amazing and often locally sourced seafood. Clam chowder is taken VERY seriously.
Flickr/The Pizza Review
With a huge italian population all around, the authenticity of our pizza is quite impressive. Bad pizza just ins’t worth it.
Flickr/Keith Allison
They’re the best for a reason and New England loves them.
Flickr/Daniel Hackney
Anything after 15 minutes is just too far away.
Wikipedia
I know it’s small, but you should at least know that it’s in New England! It is one of the oldest states after all.
Flickr/Laura LaRose
The summer brings so many tourists, but who can blame them? Little Rhody is packed with gorgeous nature sites.
Flickr/Jef Nickerson
New England has some harsh realities and the weather is definitely among them. If we’re finally enjoying nice weather, do not bring up snow. Just don’t.
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