If you’ve ever traveled to a different land, you know that culture shock is real and that locals can act in surprising ways. Well, we here in Massachusetts actually have quite a few of our own native customs, and they’re often a bit more bizarre than we realize. Here are the top 15 strange habits people in Massachusetts have, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. How many are you guilty of?

  1. Buying boxes full of fried seafood and devouring everything on the spot.

Flickr/Jack Amick Leftover fried clams? What are those?

  1. We’ll add an extra 15 minutes to our drive home if it means taking the street with the really good foliage.

Flickr/Jennifer Maccauley Fall is our brief respite between sweltering heat and frigid cold. We like to enjoy it.

  1. We give directions in time rather than distance.

Flickr/David Michalcuzk We’re more likely to tell you that something is 10 minutes away than give you the mile-by-mile details.

  1. We love watching people try to shimmy down slick logs.

Wikimedia Commons The Gloucester Greasy Pole competition is an integral part of Saint Peter’s feast day, and involves making your way down a greased-up pole in hopes of capturing the flag at the end. It’s weird but we love it.

  1. We’ll be sarcastic in the most friendly way.

Flickr/Mykhailo Around these parts, just because someone is being sarcastic doesn’t mean they’re mean-spirited. It’s likely we’re just trying to make you smile.

  1. We’ll happily toss our dinner outside.

Flickr/Rob It gets so cold here in the winter that it’s not unusual to store extra frozen food or a couple beers in our snowy backyards.

  1. Nothing weird about eating your bowl here.

Flickr/Marit and Thomas Hinossar Clam chowder tastes best in a bread bowl. It’s just science.

  1. We still believe in talking to strangers.

Flickr/MOTT There’s nothing unusual about striking up a conversation with a friendly-looking stranger in a bar or elevator. Though we may have a reputation for having chilly demeanors, Bay Staters are really quite warm on the inside.

  1. Having one favorite ice cream shop and defending its honor to the death.

Flickr/Kevin Baird No matter how good another shop’s cones may be, we’ll always stay loyal to our hometown joint.

  1. Using, um, sign language on the road.

Flickr/Wally Gobetz They don’t call us “massholes” for nothing.

  1. Assuming every bad driver is a tourist.

Flickr/MOTT Whether you’re a Cape Codder or a lifelong resident of the Berkshires, you’re probably guilty of shaking your head at another car and muttering something about tourists under your breath.

  1. We’d rather take our lobster on a bun than a plate.

Flickr/Navin Lobster rolls are the perfect combination of classy and casual. Fancy seafood in a grab-and-go format.

  1. We ask for “regular” coffee and expect people to know what that means.

Flickr/Mr. Tin DC If cream and sugar is what you want, this is an easy way to get it.

  1. Yes, we really do say “wicked,” but…

Flickr/Chris Devers It’s not an adjective. As in, we don’t say something is just plain “wicked.” It’s an adverb, as in “that sunset is wicked beautiful.”

  1. We’re pretty obsessed with our beautiful state, and like to let people know every chance we get.

Flickr/Jennifer MacCauley That’s one habit we’re never going to kick.

What are some other strange habits you’ve picked up from living in the Bay State? Let us know in the comments below!

Flickr/Jack Amick

Leftover fried clams? What are those?

Flickr/Jennifer Maccauley

Fall is our brief respite between sweltering heat and frigid cold. We like to enjoy it.

Flickr/David Michalcuzk

We’re more likely to tell you that something is 10 minutes away than give you the mile-by-mile details.

Wikimedia Commons

The Gloucester Greasy Pole competition is an integral part of Saint Peter’s feast day, and involves making your way down a greased-up pole in hopes of capturing the flag at the end. It’s weird but we love it.

Flickr/Mykhailo

Around these parts, just because someone is being sarcastic doesn’t mean they’re mean-spirited. It’s likely we’re just trying to make you smile.

Flickr/Rob

It gets so cold here in the winter that it’s not unusual to store extra frozen food or a couple beers in our snowy backyards.

Flickr/Marit and Thomas Hinossar

Clam chowder tastes best in a bread bowl. It’s just science.

Flickr/MOTT

There’s nothing unusual about striking up a conversation with a friendly-looking stranger in a bar or elevator. Though we may have a reputation for having chilly demeanors, Bay Staters are really quite warm on the inside.

Flickr/Kevin Baird

No matter how good another shop’s cones may be, we’ll always stay loyal to our hometown joint.

Flickr/Wally Gobetz

They don’t call us “massholes” for nothing.

Whether you’re a Cape Codder or a lifelong resident of the Berkshires, you’re probably guilty of shaking your head at another car and muttering something about tourists under your breath.

Flickr/Navin

Lobster rolls are the perfect combination of classy and casual. Fancy seafood in a grab-and-go format.

Flickr/Mr. Tin DC

If cream and sugar is what you want, this is an easy way to get it.

Flickr/Chris Devers

It’s not an adjective. As in, we don’t say something is just plain “wicked.” It’s an adverb, as in “that sunset is wicked beautiful.”

Flickr/Jennifer MacCauley

That’s one habit we’re never going to kick.

For more Massachusetts state pride, check out these 13 ways that Massachusetts is America’s black sheep.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

strange habits people in Massachusetts have April 04, 2021 Jackie Ann What are the weirdest things about Massachusetts? Did you know that in 1939 a Rockland politician drafted a bill to make it illegal in Massachusetts to add tomato to clam chowder? It’s true! Tossing a tomato into your chowder was a punishable act and offenders were forced to dig up a barrel of clams at high tide, an impossible task. The Bay State has a distinct culinary culture and its residents have a deep pride for the traditions that influence their way of life. The seafood industry in Massachusetts is a vital component to the state’s economy and has a significant commercial and cultural impact that is reflected in the regional cuisine. The popularity of Massachusetts’ clam chowder makes it a predominant menu item and obviously locals take the preparation of this beloved dish very seriously! What is Massachusetts known for? With 114 colleges and universities within our state’s borders, it’s not surprising that many people think of Massachusetts as a home for exceptional higher education opportunities. The Bay State holds claim to the nation’s highest percentage of residents with a college degree and many of our research universities, master’s universities, and special-focus institutions have roots dating back well over a century. Notably, Harvard University in Cambridge was founded in 1636 making it the oldest educational institution in the United States. Both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have gained significant international recognition and are considered among the top ten universities in the world. What are the best things about living in Massachusetts? Buttery lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder aside, there are many advantages to calling Massachusetts home. Our booming high-tech industry, rich agricultural sectors, and world-class educational institutions set the stage for a strong, diverse local economy. Our state’s fascinating history is deeply rooted in the founding of the nation and this legacy lends to the Bay State’s unique cultural heritage and traditions celebrated throughout the United States. The abundance of colonial sites and historically significant landmarks found across Massachusetts offer history buffs a multitude of compelling destinations to explore. Our comfortable summer climate and vibrantly colored autumnal landscapes afford outdoor enthusiasts access to a vast range of natural activities and recreational areas for many months of the year.

The OIYS Visitor Center

strange habits people in Massachusetts have

April 04, 2021

Jackie Ann

What are the weirdest things about Massachusetts? Did you know that in 1939 a Rockland politician drafted a bill to make it illegal in Massachusetts to add tomato to clam chowder? It’s true! Tossing a tomato into your chowder was a punishable act and offenders were forced to dig up a barrel of clams at high tide, an impossible task. The Bay State has a distinct culinary culture and its residents have a deep pride for the traditions that influence their way of life. The seafood industry in Massachusetts is a vital component to the state’s economy and has a significant commercial and cultural impact that is reflected in the regional cuisine. The popularity of Massachusetts’ clam chowder makes it a predominant menu item and obviously locals take the preparation of this beloved dish very seriously! What is Massachusetts known for? With 114 colleges and universities within our state’s borders, it’s not surprising that many people think of Massachusetts as a home for exceptional higher education opportunities. The Bay State holds claim to the nation’s highest percentage of residents with a college degree and many of our research universities, master’s universities, and special-focus institutions have roots dating back well over a century. Notably, Harvard University in Cambridge was founded in 1636 making it the oldest educational institution in the United States. Both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have gained significant international recognition and are considered among the top ten universities in the world. What are the best things about living in Massachusetts? Buttery lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder aside, there are many advantages to calling Massachusetts home. Our booming high-tech industry, rich agricultural sectors, and world-class educational institutions set the stage for a strong, diverse local economy. Our state’s fascinating history is deeply rooted in the founding of the nation and this legacy lends to the Bay State’s unique cultural heritage and traditions celebrated throughout the United States. The abundance of colonial sites and historically significant landmarks found across Massachusetts offer history buffs a multitude of compelling destinations to explore. Our comfortable summer climate and vibrantly colored autumnal landscapes afford outdoor enthusiasts access to a vast range of natural activities and recreational areas for many months of the year.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Did you know that in 1939 a Rockland politician drafted a bill to make it illegal in Massachusetts to add tomato to clam chowder? It’s true! Tossing a tomato into your chowder was a punishable act and offenders were forced to dig up a barrel of clams at high tide, an impossible task. The Bay State has a distinct culinary culture and its residents have a deep pride for the traditions that influence their way of life. The seafood industry in Massachusetts is a vital component to the state’s economy and has a significant commercial and cultural impact that is reflected in the regional cuisine. The popularity of Massachusetts’ clam chowder makes it a predominant menu item and obviously locals take the preparation of this beloved dish very seriously!

What is Massachusetts known for?

With 114 colleges and universities within our state’s borders, it’s not surprising that many people think of Massachusetts as a home for exceptional higher education opportunities. The Bay State holds claim to the nation’s highest percentage of residents with a college degree and many of our research universities, master’s universities, and special-focus institutions have roots dating back well over a century. Notably, Harvard University in Cambridge was founded in 1636 making it the oldest educational institution in the United States. Both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have gained significant international recognition and are considered among the top ten universities in the world.

What are the best things about living in Massachusetts?

Buttery lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder aside, there are many advantages to calling Massachusetts home. Our booming high-tech industry, rich agricultural sectors, and world-class educational institutions set the stage for a strong, diverse local economy. Our state’s fascinating history is deeply rooted in the founding of the nation and this legacy lends to the Bay State’s unique cultural heritage and traditions celebrated throughout the United States. The abundance of colonial sites and historically significant landmarks found across Massachusetts offer history buffs a multitude of compelling destinations to explore. Our comfortable summer climate and vibrantly colored autumnal landscapes afford outdoor enthusiasts access to a vast range of natural activities and recreational areas for many months of the year.