Every state has its quirks, and Massachusetts is no different. There are some things that natives here do that would probably seem strange, wacky or downright insane to anyone not in the know. Here are a few things that Bay Staters do every day that might make outsiders raise their eyebrows.

1. We measure distance in time rather than miles. As in "it’s about 45 minutes to Tanglewood from here."
Flickr/Doug Kerr
2. Our method of giving directions is also pretty unique: "Head straight until you see Dunks, take the right just before the next Dunkin’ and you’ll see it right across from the big Dunks on the corner."
Flickr/Robert S.
3. We eat ice cream with a tiny wooden tongue depressor.
Facebook/HP Hood
4. We can get a little...um...fired up about our age-old rivalries.
Flickr/Lauren Siegert
5. We don't mind getting our liquor from somewhere called The Bunghole.
Flickr/Danielle Walquist Lynch
6. We believe that Rs and Hs are pretty much the same thing.
Flickr/Josh Mazgelis
7. Some of us think that basically everything should be offered in pastel...
Flickr/MIke Mozart

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8. ...while others believe that everything is better with a dash of the Patriots.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
9. We have unique methods of chilling our drinks in the winter.
Flickr/Lee Carson
10. We expect fellow drivers telepathically understand when we’re about to change lanes. Turn signals are for the weak.
Flickr/The Tire Zoo
11. And for some people, "the bird" is practically an official traffic hand signal.
Flickr/Stephanie
12. We consider ourselves to be bilingual in English and sarcasm.
Flickr/Heather
13. We'll go to extreme lengths to make sure everyone knows how much we support our sports teams.
Flickr/Northendwaterfront.com
14. We let our kids get a little dirty out in nature without worrying too much.
Flickr/MOTT
15. We think Massachusetts is the best state in the nation, and no one can convince us otherwise.
Flickr/TRAVELUSA

Not everything you hear about Massachusetts natives should be believed. Check out these 12 stereotypes about Bay Staters that are absolutely not true.

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