Posted in Rhode Island Meet The Locals February 10, 2021 by Jeana

15 Extremely Weird Things Only People From Rhode Island Do

From Awful Awfuls to coffee milk to their own dialect, residents of Little Rhody have many interesting habits that visitors might find a little different at first. Here are 15 weird things people from Rhode Island do, showing that they are just as unique as the state itself.

1. They give directions based on where all the Dunkin Donuts are along the way. As far as RI stereotypes go, this one is absolutely true.

2. Any drive that takes more than 15 minutes is considered a road trip.

3. One of the very quirky things about Rhode Island is that the people add coffee syrup to their milk, and yes, it's delicious.

4. It is not uncommon to see Rhode Islanders wearing shorts, flip flops, and a winter jacket in the middle of January.

5. They never use a straw when drinking their beloved frozen lemonade.

6. Quahogs, littlenecks, steamers; Rhode Islanders take their clams very seriously and can name different varieties!

7. The left lane isn't really used for passing in this state. And blinkers are seldom used.

8. All Rhode Islanders have at one point considered trying the Awful Awful challenge at the Newport Creamery. Just drink 3 of the 24 ounce loaded milkshakes and you get a 4th one free and become a local legend!

9. Rhode Island has its very own clear clam chowder, but locals always order the classic white chowder.

10. They have a big blue bug on the side of the highway that is dressed up for special occasions.

11. With such a massive Italian influence there are hundreds of amazing pizza restaurants, but pizza strips, AKA bakery pizza (plain dough with marinara) is still found everywhere.

12. One very strange habit of Rhode Islanders is that they take away and add the letter R when they feel like it. "I have an idear. Let's pahk ovuh on Westminstuh Street."

13. They set the Providence River ablaze throughout the summer at Waterplace Park and gather by the thousands to watch it. It's an incredible sight!

14. In Rhode Island, the hotdogs are actually hot weiners and come decked out with meat, onions, and mustard.

15. From bubblers, grinders, and coffee cabinets, Rhode Islanders use a "wicked" lot of different words.

Rhode Islanders might have a lot of strange habits, but they are also some of the most interesting people you’ll meet. For such a small and densely populated state, locals have developed so many rituals that give them tons of character and set them apart from the rest. Are there any other weird things people from Rhode Island do? Let us know in the comments!

And if you want to learn more about the people from our wonderful state, find out why those from Rhode Island are undeniably tough.

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Quirky Things About Rhode Island

February 15, 2021

Melissa Mahoney

What are some quirky things about Rhode Island?

Rhode Island arguably has some of the best pizza places that make pies oozing with fresh mozzarella cheese and, yet, they love their pizza strips! Also known as bakery pizza, pizza strips are essentially just dough and sauce. They also can’t get enough of their coffee shops and doughnuts. The Providence-Warwick area has the highest number of doughnut shops per capita in the country. And one last quirky thing we will mention here is the Big Blue Bug which sits on top of the Big Blue Bug Solutions building just off I-95. This larger-than-life insect replica, known as Nibbles, has become a mascot and is dressed up for special occasions. Throughout the year, you’ll find it with a giant Del’s Lemonade or Awful Awful cup, an Uncle Sam hat and beard around Independence Day, or reindeer antlers and a large glowing nose around Christmas. For more quirky things about the smallest state, check out this previous article: 8 Things That Prove Rhode Islanders Are The Quirkiest People In The Nation.

What stereotypes are there about Rhode Island?

Like any state, Rhode Island has its fair share of stereotypes. One stereotype that is true is they take a lot of pride in the state. Another is that driving anywhere that takes longer than 15 or 20 minutes is basically a road trip. The Rhode Island accent is all its own as well and they love to add the letter “R” to words that do not have them (i.e. “I have an idear!”) and drop the “R” on words that have them (i.e. “Go pahk the cah!”). For more stereotypes about Rhode Island and its residents, read this article: 12 Annoying Stereotypes About Rhode Island.

What unique words and phrases do people in Rhode Island say?

Rhode Island basically has its own language and only people from here know what the heck they’re talking about. For example, when someone asks, “Where’s the bubbler?” (or most likely pronounced, “bubblah”) would you know what to tell them? A bubbler is simply a water fountain. They also use the word “cabinet,” which is a milkshake, not the term to describe where you put dishes in the kitchen. And a quahog is a clam. More unique words that are part of the Rhode Island language may be found by clicking here.