Growing up in Massachusetts means picking up plenty of unique life lessons along the way. The things you learn while living here will stay with you the rest of your days, and they’ll help you live life to the fullest whether you stay in the Bay State or roam somewhere new.
- Constant road construction is a fact of life.
Flickr/Jo Zimny Photos It always seem like construction crews set up shop on the one day you’re already running late for work.
- But somehow, so are potholes.
ChrisUK Winter means snowy days, holiday cheer and hot cocoa…but in Massachusetts, it also means a whole new crop of potholes. The ability to navigate these is a skill we’re all proud of.
- There’s nothing wrong with owning your accent.
Flickr/Josh Mazgelis While everyone is probably familiar with the Boston accent as it appears in countless movies, there are actually lots of different accents in Massachusetts. While some people try to shed their hometown way of speaking, plenty of us grew up loud and proud of our unique accents.
- Hot dog rolls aren’t just for hot dogs.
Flickr/Ehpien We know that classic, New England-style hot dog rolls are actually the perfect containers for crispy fried clams or delicious lobster. There’s nothing like a seafood roll to pull you into comfort food bliss.
- How to correctly use a rotary.
Flickr/Dom Sagolla Or a “traffic circle” as your GPS likely insists on calling it. When someone from out of state gets onto the rotary, things can get real frustrating real fast.
- A bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone.
Flickr/Jack Heddon Our rivalry with the New York Yankees is legendary, but it’s (mostly) all in good fun. We love to get all riled up over the latest Red Sox and Yankee clash and we know that it brings us together as a state of die-hard sports fans.
- There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of chowder…
Flickr/Simon Shek When that New England chill comes knocking, you can’t beat curling up with a big bowl of clam chowder and a package of oyster crackers.
- …and there’s only one correct way to make it.
Flickr/Goyumcha If you grew up in Massachusetts, you know that clam chowder should be white and creamy. Not yellow and broth-based or (shudder) red with tomatoes.
- History is all around us.
Flickr/MOTT When you grow up in a state like Massachusetts, it’s hard to avoid learning about American history. Sometimes it seems like every other building you walk into is some sort of historical landmark.
- There’s nothing like nature to soothe the soul.
Flickr/the SkyHum We’re lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes that can truly take one’s breath away. Whether you’re looking for mountains, rivers, meadows or beaches, we’re constantly grateful for the gorgeous natural environment that surrounds us.
- Driving anywhere near the Cape on a Saturday or Friday afternoon in the summer is a big mistake.
Flickr/MOTT While there are plenty of amazing things to do across the state on a hot afternoon, the Cape is definitely a popular spot for vacations and weekends at the beach. And because it’s a skinny piece of land that’s only connected to the mainland at two points, traffic can get absolutely soul-shattering.
- Eating ice cream with a wooden stick is totally normal.
Flickr/Chris Devers When you’re a kid, you don’t even consider swapping out that little wooden spatula for a regular spoon.
- Never give up hope and always stay strong.
Flickr/Chris Devers If the 2016 Super Bowl taught us anything, it’s that any situation can change in an instant and we’re experts in holding out hope until the last minute. Similarly, the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing showed America how strong Bay Staters really are.
- Be ready for anything.
Flickr/Sayamindu Dasgupta When the weather forecast seems to change by the minute, Bay State residents know that it’s better to be prepared than to be left out in the cold. And it can get VERY cold here.
- There’s always something new around the corner.
Flickr/Henry Zbyszynski With so much to discover in Massachusetts, you’ll always have somewhere new to explore and something novel to experience.
- No matter how far you roam, Massachusetts will always be home.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich You can’t pick where you were born, so we count ourselves lucky to be from a truly incredible state.
What life lessons did you learn growing up in Massachusetts? Feel free to let us know in the comments. If you liked this, check out these 11 undying habits that all Bay Staters have.
Flickr/Jo Zimny Photos
It always seem like construction crews set up shop on the one day you’re already running late for work.
ChrisUK
Winter means snowy days, holiday cheer and hot cocoa…but in Massachusetts, it also means a whole new crop of potholes. The ability to navigate these is a skill we’re all proud of.
Flickr/Josh Mazgelis
While everyone is probably familiar with the Boston accent as it appears in countless movies, there are actually lots of different accents in Massachusetts. While some people try to shed their hometown way of speaking, plenty of us grew up loud and proud of our unique accents.
Flickr/Ehpien
We know that classic, New England-style hot dog rolls are actually the perfect containers for crispy fried clams or delicious lobster. There’s nothing like a seafood roll to pull you into comfort food bliss.
Flickr/Dom Sagolla
Or a “traffic circle” as your GPS likely insists on calling it. When someone from out of state gets onto the rotary, things can get real frustrating real fast.
Flickr/Jack Heddon
Our rivalry with the New York Yankees is legendary, but it’s (mostly) all in good fun. We love to get all riled up over the latest Red Sox and Yankee clash and we know that it brings us together as a state of die-hard sports fans.
Flickr/Simon Shek
When that New England chill comes knocking, you can’t beat curling up with a big bowl of clam chowder and a package of oyster crackers.
Flickr/Goyumcha
If you grew up in Massachusetts, you know that clam chowder should be white and creamy. Not yellow and broth-based or (shudder) red with tomatoes.
Flickr/MOTT
When you grow up in a state like Massachusetts, it’s hard to avoid learning about American history. Sometimes it seems like every other building you walk into is some sort of historical landmark.
Flickr/the SkyHum
We’re lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes that can truly take one’s breath away. Whether you’re looking for mountains, rivers, meadows or beaches, we’re constantly grateful for the gorgeous natural environment that surrounds us.
While there are plenty of amazing things to do across the state on a hot afternoon, the Cape is definitely a popular spot for vacations and weekends at the beach. And because it’s a skinny piece of land that’s only connected to the mainland at two points, traffic can get absolutely soul-shattering.
Flickr/Chris Devers
When you’re a kid, you don’t even consider swapping out that little wooden spatula for a regular spoon.
If the 2016 Super Bowl taught us anything, it’s that any situation can change in an instant and we’re experts in holding out hope until the last minute. Similarly, the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing showed America how strong Bay Staters really are.
Flickr/Sayamindu Dasgupta
When the weather forecast seems to change by the minute, Bay State residents know that it’s better to be prepared than to be left out in the cold. And it can get VERY cold here.
Flickr/Henry Zbyszynski
With so much to discover in Massachusetts, you’ll always have somewhere new to explore and something novel to experience.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich
You can’t pick where you were born, so we count ourselves lucky to be from a truly incredible state.
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