Living in Massachusetts has its ups and downs – thankfully, mostly ups – but every now and then, you might encounter an uncomfortable situation that feels unique to the Bay State. Here are a few times when any Massachusetts native might feel a little awkward.

1. Wearing shorts, a sweater and rain boots to work.
Flickr/Gigi Griffis
You just never know with Massachusetts weather. One minute it’s sunny and beautiful, the next it’s hailing and 20-degrees. Sometimes you just hedge your bets and wear a little bit of every season.
2. Listening to someone incorrectly pronounce your town name.
Flickr/Theresa O'Conner
Whether it’s Gloucester, Haverhill, Leicester, Scituate or one of the hundred or so other tough names in the Bay State, you’re sure to come across someone who just absolutely butchers the name of your hometown.
3. When YOUR Dunkin’ Donuts is out of chocolate glazed, so you have to go next door to the other Dunkin’ Donuts.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
It’s always a little weird "cheating" on your Dunks with another shop. Luckily, they’re all pretty much identical usually located within 100 feet of each other.
4. When you order a frappe on vacation and the server just gives you a blank stare.
Flickr/Rakka
Whereas other states call a thick, creamy ice cream, beverage a milkshake, we call them frappes. That can get a bit confusing when you’re roaming far from home.
5. When you find out someone in your family is dating a Yankees fan.
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
The rivalry is real, and even though you may with the best for your brother, sister or uncle, the thought of watching the game with the happy couple makes you a bit nervous. I mean, what if they have kids? What happens then?

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6. Accidentally mistaking somewhere in Central Massachusetts for Western Massachusetts.
Flickr/MOTT
Hey, even natives can get a bit fuzzy on where the dividing line is. Especially if you live on the eastern coast. People from each region are fiercely proud of the territory they call home, so they’ll be sure to correct you.
7. Having to ask someone to translate miles into minutes for you.
Flickr/Nelson De Witt
When you’re used to giving and receiving directions in terms of how long it takes to get somewhere, you can be a bit caught off guard when someone tells you the gas station is 20 miles away. You might feel a bit awkward asking for a conversion, but hey, our system works.
8. Getting strange looks when you try to give directions on your arm.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
If you live on Cape Cod, you know that raising your arm and pointing out the location of the town/restaurant/beach in question is way faster than pulling it up on Google Maps. But your out-of-state friends might be a little puzzled.
9. When a tourist asks you what exit to take for the Cape Cod Tunnel.
Flickr/Richard Martin
Do you set them straight? Or do you let them figure it out on their own? It’s an awkward moral quandary.
10. When you're telling an out-of-stater to "take the T downtown" and they think you're talking about delivering a beverage.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Bostonians pretty much only call the subway system the "T", but there can be an awkward moment when you're talking to someone who isn't in the know.
11. When someone says their state is the best in the nation.
Flickr/Kim Carpenter
Sorry, I think you’re pronouncing "Massachusetts" wrong.

Living here can be awkward sometimes, but all the awesome parts of our state are definitely worth a few blushes.

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