Boston is a wonderful city in which to raise a family. If you grew up here, that won’t be news to you. What you may not have considered, however, are the aspects of your behavior and personality that are influenced by living in this city. Even when you leave, either on a temporary or permanent basis, there are some traits you carry with you. Here are 10 weird side effects you might be able to relate to if you spent your childhood in Boston:

1. You feel a swell of happiness at the sight of Dunkin’ Donuts.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Bostonians are such ardent Dunks fans that even if we spot a location in another state, our first thought is of home. While we’re loyal to most of our locally-grown companies, Dunks holds a special place in our hearts.
2. You think it's never too cold to drink iced coffee.
Flickr/theimpulsivebuy
Or to eat ice cream, for that matter.
3. You're impervious to snow and immune to freezing temperatures.
Juliet White
When other people are bundling up, you're losing layers like you're auditioning for Magic Mike! (Incidentally, it was 8°F when this photo was taken.)
4. Patriots gear is always appropriate attire.
Flickr/Karen Cardoza
It doesn't matter if you're picking up groceries or heading to the theatre, there's always someone whose wardrobe decisions are determined by their love of the Pats or the Sox. Possibly even you...
5. We call things by their old names.
Flickr/Madeleine Ball
It's John Hancock Tower or The Hancock. Do you know anyone who actually refers to it as 200 Clarendon Street? Maybe if it had a cooler name...

Related Stories

15 Phrases That Will Make You Swear Bostonians Have Their Own Language

15 Phrases That Will Make You Swear Bostonians Have Their Own Language

 Some People Don’t Know That Boston Was The First To Do These 13 Things

Some People Don’t Know That Boston Was The First To Do These 13 Things

 Relax Your Worries Away At This Unique Massachusetts Hotel With A Rooftop Hot Tub

Relax Your Worries Away At This Unique Massachusetts Hotel With A Rooftop Hot Tub
6. You have strong feelings about clams.
Flickr/snowpea&bokchoi
You follow an unwritten set of rules about how to prepare clam chowder (ixnay on the tomatoes) and whether whole belly clams are superior to clam strips (they are).
7. A disproportionate number of your conversations are about transportation or parking.
Flickr/mwms1916
The British talk about the weather, you gripe about disabled trains or the Pike during rush hour.
8. You have developed a unique driving style...
Flickr/Paul Sableman
...and quick reflexes. You need them to deal with other people's vehicular... um... "skills."
9. You walk.
Flickr/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Bostonians walk everywhere, and in terms of health and the environment, that's a good thing. But there are places (like Los Angeles or Dallas) where people will think this is weird and assume that your car has broken down if you're on foot.
10. You're used to taking St. Patrick's Day off or insist on celebrating holidays that people in other parts of the U.S. have never even heard of.
Wikimedia Commons/By U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Apprentice Shannon Heavin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Mentioning Bunker Hill Day (pictured) is likely to elicit blank stares.

What would you add to this list? Are there other traits you think native Bostonians share? Let us know in the comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles