These Are The 10 Ways You're Doing Maine Wrong - And How To Make Them Right
By Michelle|Published August 14, 2018
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
One does not simply arrive in Maine and become a Mainer. It takes years of practice – from how to speak to what to eat to general mannerisms – to get things right. And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that most people won’t consider you a Mainer unless you’re not actually born here. According to some diehard Mainers, if you came into this world just across the state line in New Hampshire and moved to Maine just a few months later, you’ll always be “from away.” But, that’s okay. We’re happy to have you. As long as you’re doing things right. Here are a few of the ways you might be missing the mark and how to do Maine right so that you blend right in.
1. You've arrived in Maine from out of town and are still using a GPS in your car.
You meant to get to a lobster shack in Freeport, but the view in front of you is Katahdin. Everyone in Maine knows that The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer is the only way to get around in Maine.
Maine's wild blueberries don't look a lot like the ones you buy in the grocery store. They're smaller and have more variance in shape and size. These are the ones you want for a true Maine blueberry cobbler.
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3. You need to go back to school shopping so you show up bright at early at L.L. Bean on Saturday morning.
Nope. Not worth it. If you want to shop the store without the hassle of tourists, you're going to want to show up an odd time of day. Since the store is open 24-hours a day we recommend heading in around 11 p.m. for some solid, uninterrupted shopping time.
4. And if you buy a pair of these? Don't get fancy.
The original Bean Boots will do you just fine. Skip the colors and the lining, opting instead for the regular tan and brown. They're a classic for a reason.
For the weather to be remarkably bad, things need to be pretty once-in-a-lifetime. A regular ol' blizzard doesn't make a lot of Mainers flinch. So, before you comment on the weather make sure it's as bad as you think.
It's an Italian. Despite having no actual Italian ingredients, the Maine Italian is a thing of lunch beauty. It got it's name from the Maine-based Italians who created it and the original is from Amato's.
9. It's a nice spring day, time to get a car wash!
No! Do not pass go! Do not collect $200! Spring in Maine means mud and you're better off just waiting until mud season is over to even begin worrying about what your car looks like.
10. You order a lobster roll and expect it to be covered in mayo.
