We New Hampshirites can be a strange bunch. We’re famous throughout the country for our sometimes contrarian ways and our refusal to be boxed in by the rules. We don’t think we’re that weird – but to out-of-staters, some of our habits might seem a little odd. How many describe you?

1. We express ourselves through vanity plates.
Flickr/Roger H. Goun
We might be quiet when you meet us, but take a look at our car to get a sense of what we care about. Whether they're funny or serious, our license plates are a great form of entertainment on the road.
2. We brag to people from other states - especially Massachusetts - about how much money we save on every purchase by not paying sales tax.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
Seriously, why would you pay all that extra money? We may not have all the fanciest stores, but there are plenty to choose from - and extra good deals at the outlets.
3. We all know our motto and will happily recite it every chance we get.
Flickr/formulanone
Do you know anyone from any other state who knows their motto? Probably not, because none our as cool as ours.
4. We take our first-in-the-nation primary seriously.
Flickr/cmh2315fl
New Hampshirites come from all over the political spectrum - but we all know it's an honor and a privilege to get to vote in the first primary in the nation.
5. We get our liquor from highway rest stops (and our beer from the gas station).
Flickr/Lisa E
Yeah, New Hampshire has some weird liquor laws. But hey, the liquor stores are convenient, and the prices are good.
6. We believe in practical skills and make a sport out of chopping wood.
Facebook/NewEnglandLumberjackAssociation
Lumberjack competitions are making a comeback! Even UNH and Dartmouth have teams. New Hampshirites are nothing if not practical.
7. We complain every year about the leaf peepers.
Flickr/Paul Gagnon
But who can blame them? Though we hate how they clog up the roads, we secretly understand why they keep coming back. After all, New Hampshire in the fall is the most beautiful place in the world.
8. We put maple syrup on anything and everything.
Flickr/Seacoast Eat Local
You've just got to make sure it's New Hampshire maple syrup of course. If you haven't tried it on bacon, do it.
9. Snow days? What are those?
Flickr/Paul
We go to work in weather that would make Flatlanders cry. Of course, that doesn't mean we don't complain about it.
10. We love to mock people from Massachusetts, but we root for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins.
Flickr/Keith Allison
Just because Boston teams are great doesn't give Massachusetts drivers a pass.
11. Instead of saying "me too," we say "so don't I."
Flickr/John Davey
We can't explain why it makes sense, it just does. Trust us.

Some of our ways – and our word choices – may confuse outsiders, but they’re what give us our unique identity. We’re a special bunch, and we should embrace it!

 

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