For a state that doesn’t look especially small, there are surprisingly few of us privileged folks who can call Maine home. Our state population makes up just about .45% of the entire US population. To put that into perspective, tiny Puerto Rico has more than twice the population of Maine.
Given our small numbers, it’s never shocking when we are the first person from Maine that someone has met. We understand their awe and jealousy, but sometimes it’s hard to answer their questions without laughing out loud. The list here includes just a few of the questions that people always ask when they find out you’re from Maine.
- “Wait, so you’re Canadian?”
Tony Webster / Flickr No. No I am not. Maine is in the USA, my friend. However, I do get the benefit of having prescriptions filled across the border for significantly less money than in the US.
- “Have you ever seen a moose?”
Lois Smith / Flickr Not only have I seen a moose, I’ve had to slam on my brakes to avoid sitting next to a moose.
- “Is it freezing all the time?”
Corety Templeton / Flickr Maybe not ALL the time. But some of the time. Okay, much of the time. But, we love it. We’re here because we’re tough and we love to ski, snowmobile and wear layers.
- “Do you catch your own lobster?”
Mike Timberlake / Flickr Some of us do, but the rest of us can get it just about anywhere. And it’s probably fresher and more delicious than what you’re eating. Yet another bonus for Maine living.
- “Why is your car always so muddy?”
By Chris Keating/ Wikimedia Commons Don’t be silly. It’s not ALWAYS muddy. It’s only muddy during “mud season.”
- “Oh, cool, Portland! What’s Oregon like?”
Kevin Bovard / Flickr NO IDEA. Because this is the actual Portland. The first one. Did you know that Portland, Oregon is named after Maine’s Portland?
- “What are those boots you’re always wearing?”
jimshooz7 / Flickr They’re beans! And they’re totally suitable for dresses, skirts, suits, shorts, summer, winter, fall, and mud season. They’re possibly the most perfect shoe from L.L. Bean.
- “So do you only shop at L.L. Bean?”
Reny’s / Facebook No, we’ve got to get to Reny’s also!
- “Do you see Stephen King all the time?”
Demetri Parides / Flickr Yes. We met up at Reny’s last weekend and bought matching Carhartts.
- “Okay, fair enough, but where is Derry, Maine?
Russ2009 / Flickr There isn’t an actual Derry, Maine. It’s just a fictional place made up by Stephen King for books such as It, Misery and 11/22/63.
- “Why are you wearing shorts? It’s freezing!”
Sahtu Wildlife / Flickr It’s 35 degrees. It’s positively balmy!
- “So a fiddlehead isn’t a person who loves the fiddle? Then what is it?!”
Glenn Fleishman / Flickr It’s actually part of a fern plant, used as a vegetable for cooking. The fiddlehead looks a bit like the curled part of a stringed instrument, such as a violin.
- “Have you hiked the Appalachian Trail?”
Jeffrey Stylos Some of us have done the whole thing, but with the end of the trail a point of state pride, many of us have dreams of summiting Katahdin.
- “Is Maine really like that Maine Justice skit on Saturday Night Live?”
Alexandra Galvis / Flickr Maine isn’t known for alligators and Louisiana accents. We’ll just leave it at that.
We’ve all received some strange questions about Maine. What are some of yours? Add them to the comments below for everyone to read!
Tony Webster / Flickr
No. No I am not. Maine is in the USA, my friend. However, I do get the benefit of having prescriptions filled across the border for significantly less money than in the US.
Lois Smith / Flickr
Not only have I seen a moose, I’ve had to slam on my brakes to avoid sitting next to a moose.
Corety Templeton / Flickr
Maybe not ALL the time. But some of the time. Okay, much of the time. But, we love it. We’re here because we’re tough and we love to ski, snowmobile and wear layers.
Mike Timberlake / Flickr
Some of us do, but the rest of us can get it just about anywhere. And it’s probably fresher and more delicious than what you’re eating. Yet another bonus for Maine living.
By Chris Keating/ Wikimedia Commons
Don’t be silly. It’s not ALWAYS muddy. It’s only muddy during “mud season.”
Kevin Bovard / Flickr
NO IDEA. Because this is the actual Portland. The first one. Did you know that Portland, Oregon is named after Maine’s Portland?
jimshooz7 / Flickr
They’re beans! And they’re totally suitable for dresses, skirts, suits, shorts, summer, winter, fall, and mud season. They’re possibly the most perfect shoe from L.L. Bean.
Reny’s / Facebook
No, we’ve got to get to Reny’s also!
Demetri Parides / Flickr
Yes. We met up at Reny’s last weekend and bought matching Carhartts.
Russ2009 / Flickr
There isn’t an actual Derry, Maine. It’s just a fictional place made up by Stephen King for books such as It, Misery and 11/22/63.
Sahtu Wildlife / Flickr
It’s 35 degrees. It’s positively balmy!
Glenn Fleishman / Flickr
It’s actually part of a fern plant, used as a vegetable for cooking. The fiddlehead looks a bit like the curled part of a stringed instrument, such as a violin.
Jeffrey Stylos
Some of us have done the whole thing, but with the end of the trail a point of state pride, many of us have dreams of summiting Katahdin.
Alexandra Galvis / Flickr
Maine isn’t known for alligators and Louisiana accents. We’ll just leave it at that.
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