9 Extremely Weird Things Only People From Boston Do
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Juliet White
Author
Newcomers and visitors to Boston sometimes find a few of our habits weird. However, to the average Bostonian, these quirks are just part of life. It’s only when an outsider points out these nine things that we people from Boston start to wonder if they are, in fact, odd.
1. Making multiple Dunks runs in a day.
Many of us have a favorite Dunks. Sure, a chain is supposed to be the same at every location, but each one has its little differences, and if you spend enough time frequenting Dunkin' Donuts (which we do) then you'll notice and begin to have preferences. It's all part of life in Boston!
2. We are obsessed with cider donuts.
Apple cider donuts, available at orchards, farm stands, and stores in and around Boston, are seasonal. While you can find this delectable treat throughout New England, Bostonians are particularly obsessed with cider donuts. Although it means winter is drawing closer, we celebrate cider donut season and eagerly await the first batches each year.
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3. We wear shorts when there's snow on the ground.
Then again, if we didn't do this, the shorts season would be... well, extremely short! This is less of a habit and more of a superpower. Bostonians: impervious to cold!
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4. We take sports fandom to the next level.
Sometimes our shirts also come off in freezing cold weather. But it's all for a good cause. We show our devotion to the Pats and the Sox at every opportunity... and in increasingly creative ways.
It takes a truly devoted fan to dress a cat in anything... and be willing to annoy a pet who watches you sleep. But it's all part of why living in Boston is the best!
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5. We have a strong emotional attachment to a sign.
Not just any sign. The Citgo sign is an emblem of Boston. The first version was installed in 1940, although it has been replaced and updated since then. This 60-foot high sign can be seen in the background of Red Sox games played at Fenway.
6. We celebrate fighting, defeating, and kicking out the British at every opportunity.
Technically, this is a statewide habit, although the largest celebrations usually happen in Boston. Pictured is the Evacuation Day parade. On March 17, we remember the British leaving after their first significant defeat in the Revolutionary War. This holiday coincides with St. Paddy's Day, so double festivities ensue.
Bostonians celebrate Patriots' Day on the third Monday in April to commemorate the Battles at Lexington and Concord. This is when the Boston Marathon takes place. Then, we have Bunker Hill Day in June. Finally, on July 4, we celebrate Independence Day with the rest of the nation!
Bostonians celebrate Patriots' Day on the third Monday in April to commemorate the Battles at Lexington and Concord. This is when the Boston Marathon takes place. Then, we have Bunker Hill Day in June. Finally, on July 4, we celebrate Independence Day with the rest of the nation!
7. We play with tiny bowling balls.
Bostonians - and Bay Staters - enjoy candlepin bowling. The balls are much smaller and the pins have a different shape than those used in standard bowling. An argument could be made that candlepin bowling requires more skill...
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8. We eat things other people have never heard of.
Scrod, anyone? Scrod is any young, white-colored fish that may or may not be cod.
And then there's Indian pudding which is a slow-cooked dessert that looks a bit sketchy, but tastes like gingerbread soup; it combines all of the flavors of the holidays into one bowl. Believe me, it's good!
9. We receive a weather report and info about the Sox by looking at a building.
The old John Hancock Building has a weather beacon on top of it. The beacon's lights have different meanings. It's one of those things that only people from Boston do. Here's the rhymed saying to help you decipher the code:
Steady blue, clear view.
Flashing blue, clouds due.
Steady red, rain ahead.
Flashing red, snow instead.
During baseball season, this last one is especially unpopular, as it means the Sox game has been canceled due to bad weather.
Steady blue, clear view.
Flashing blue, clouds due.
Steady red, rain ahead.
Flashing red, snow instead.
During baseball season, this last one is especially unpopular, as it means the Sox game has been canceled due to bad weather.
Weird is relative, but would you add anything to this list of interesting things people from Boston do?
Since Boston was the first to do many things, perhaps we should just pass off these habits as innovative, or else claim that we’ve been doing them since 1842!
How about a tour of Boston to familiarize yourself even better with our incredible city? Take a look at the awesome and informative tour options on Viator.
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