DC might like seem like an odd place to outsiders. There are some things that might seem really confusing if you don’t live here but to those of us who call it home, we never think twice about them. Here are 10 things people from Washington DC always have to explain to out of towners.
- We don’t all work for the government or as lobbyists or lawyers or government contractors.
Flickr/James Calder It might seem like all anyone here does is work for the government in some way, shape or form. But DC is a diverse city with many different types of people who work in many different areas.
- DC is split into quadrants.
Flickr/Payton Chung There is more to DC than the monuments and the memorials. DC has four quadrants and there is further divided into districts and neighborhoods.
- You do not eat or drink on the metro.
Flickr/Julian Ortiz This is not just a guideline It’s a rule that everyone follows. You can get a ticket for eating or drinking on the metro.
- Mumbo sauce is like BBQ sauce but better.
Flickr/National Museum of American History It’s a little bit sweeter than BBQ sauce but it is absolutely delicious and you can put it on almost everything.
- You stand on the right side of the escalator and you walk on the left.
Flickr/Matthew Hurst This is the most important rule in DC. Always stand on the right and walk on the left. There is no exception!
- We don’t all cheer for the Redskins or the Nats.
Flickr/Keith Allison The Ravens and the Orioles have strong support in the district. The Battle of the Beltway is always a fun game every year!
- It’s not that we’re not friendly. We’re just usually headed somewhere.
Flickr/QPaz DC residents have to handle crowds, traffic and the always delayed metro so if we don’t always smile or stop to chat, it’s not because we’re not nice. We’re usually just on the go.
- Not everyone here actually lives here.
Flickr/Doug Kerr DC is full of commuters. People will drive in from Maryland or Virginia and spend most of their days in the district. It’s why it’s a popular question people to say. “No, but do you live in DC or outside of it?”
- There’s never a good time to drive in the district.
Flickr/Valerie Traffic is always bad here. Always. Parking is also terrible. You’re better off taking the metro or walking most of the time.
- Some of the best food comes from trucks or hole in the walls.
Flickr/Elvert Barnes There are many great restaurants with celebrity chefs that always have a line around the block. However, there are so many incredible mom and pop shops, hole in the wall spots, and food trucks that serve up the most delicious food.
These aren’t the only strange things about DC. There are some weird things people in Washington DC do as well
Flickr/James Calder
It might seem like all anyone here does is work for the government in some way, shape or form. But DC is a diverse city with many different types of people who work in many different areas.
Flickr/Payton Chung
There is more to DC than the monuments and the memorials. DC has four quadrants and there is further divided into districts and neighborhoods.
Flickr/Julian Ortiz
This is not just a guideline It’s a rule that everyone follows. You can get a ticket for eating or drinking on the metro.
Flickr/National Museum of American History
It’s a little bit sweeter than BBQ sauce but it is absolutely delicious and you can put it on almost everything.
Flickr/Matthew Hurst
This is the most important rule in DC. Always stand on the right and walk on the left. There is no exception!
Flickr/Keith Allison
The Ravens and the Orioles have strong support in the district. The Battle of the Beltway is always a fun game every year!
Flickr/QPaz
DC residents have to handle crowds, traffic and the always delayed metro so if we don’t always smile or stop to chat, it’s not because we’re not nice. We’re usually just on the go.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
DC is full of commuters. People will drive in from Maryland or Virginia and spend most of their days in the district. It’s why it’s a popular question people to say. “No, but do you live in DC or outside of it?”
Flickr/Valerie
Traffic is always bad here. Always. Parking is also terrible. You’re better off taking the metro or walking most of the time.
Flickr/Elvert Barnes
There are many great restaurants with celebrity chefs that always have a line around the block. However, there are so many incredible mom and pop shops, hole in the wall spots, and food trucks that serve up the most delicious food.
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