Massachusetts is many things. We’re beautiful, smart and have a great personality…but we’re also a bit quirky. Some aspects of living in this state mean that, at times, Massachusetts can feel like the black sheep of the bunch. Here are some of the ways we stand out from the crowd.

1. Sarcasm is like a second language here.
Flickr/David Bruce
We are practically born speaking it fluently.
2. We have an official state polka.
Flickr/Tyle_r
It’s called "Say Hello to Someone From Massachusetts" and it’s amazing.
3. We’re totally okay with town names like Sandwich, Bloody Brook and Teaticket.
Flickr/sandwich
The mix of colonial and Native influence has produced some really strange town names.
4. Massachusetts marriages are the sturdiest in the country.
Flickr/Jason Corey
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate in the nation. Only 2.2. divorces per 1000 people, to be exact.
5. We take our seafood very, very seriously.
Flickr/Jack Amick
From chowder to lobster rolls, everyone has a preference. Luckily, it’s pretty much all delicious.
6. Our official state dessert is a pie that’s actually more like a cake.
Flickr/Edward Kimber
Boston cream pie is honestly pretty much a cake. We all know this, but refuse to update the name.

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7. Not to mention Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
It’s the longest lake name in the world.
8. We’re not a fast food heaven.
Flickr/Zhao!
While no one will judge you for stopping for a late night drive-thru burger, we’re much more likely to patronize local restaurants than fast food chains. In fact, only 34 of 840 restaurants in Boston serve fast food.
9. We have a house made of newspaper.
Flickr/Denise Yu
The Rockport Paper House is a quirky treasure that is the only one of its kind in the country.
10. Childhood here still happens outdoors. Whether that means hours peering into tide pools and beach bonfires…
Flickr/Furfante
If you grew up on the coast, the ocean was a firmly fixed part of your younger days.
11. …or running through open fields, playing in the forest and catching fireflies.
Flickr/tom malavoda
Out in central and western Massachusetts, rolling hills and beautiful mountains were likely the backdrop to your childhood.
12. We’ve heard of spring, but rarely see it in person.
Flickr/MOTT
Unlike states that might enjoy a month or two of mild weather between winter and summer, we basically have two to three weeks of confusion and then it’s 80-degrees.
13. We give directions in time, not distance.
Flickr/kitchener.lord
You’re more likely to hear "it’s about 35 minutes away" rather than an estimate in miles. It just makes more sense.

We may be a little weird, but we’re still the best of the bunch. For more Massachusetts state pride, check out these 15 things you quickly learn when you move to the Bay State.

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