New Hampshire never seemed like anything special to me because it was just the place I grew up. When I came to college, I changed my opinion on my home town. Where I go to school, it's surprising if you live anywhere outside the Midwest.
Many people thought it was really cool that I was from New Hampshire, and I realized my hometown is pretty unique. With a population of 1.3 million, we are nothing compared to California's population of 39.2 million. Even though we aren’t the largest, we do have many unique characteristics.
1. The worst day of your life was probably in 2003
May 3rd, 2003 is a day that will live in infamy. The Old Man of the Mountain was an NH staple, being featured on our license plates and the New Hampshire state quarter. On this day in 2003, The Old Man Of The Mountain fell down even though it was being supported by cables. If you didn't shed a tear when The Old Man Of The Mountain fell you’re probably not from NH.
2. Snow doesn't phase you at all
Watching schools shut down anywhere in the country when there is two inches of snow makes me laugh more than anything. Mainly because I’ve had to walk a half mile to school in two feet of snow.
3. Foliage season
Yes, it is beautiful. No, I never get sick of it. Yes, I get sick of the news making a big deal about the number of tourists on their way to NH stare at our trees.
4. Only hearing about NH on national news when it refers to our drug problem
In recent news, the President called NH a drug infested den. Yes, it is an issue, but NH offers so much more than a wide array of heroin.
5. Dunkin' Donuts everywhere
There are five in my town alone, and all of them are busy all the time. When people started getting their licenses in high school, you’d have to stop by Dunkin' before heading to school just so people knew you were mature enough to go on your own.
6. Massholes
There is nothing worse than a Massachusetts driver, or a person from Mass in general.
7. People don't know where New Hampshire is
I once had someone ask me if I went to North Carolina because they genuinely thought NH was above North Carolina. I’m just here to say it is not even close.
8. People ask, “Oh where in New Hampshire are you from?” just to be nice
Do you really think someone can tell me where Berlin, NH is compared to Concord, NH?
9. Bike week
In my opinion, probably because I don’t ride motorcycles nor does anyone in my family, the worst week of the year. I have nothing against them whatsoever, but they completely take over the Lakes Region.
10. Leaving the state and having to deal with sales tax
Probably the best thing about New Hampshire is our lack of sales tax. There are good and bad parts to this. Good for me because I never had to spend that extra money, bad for me because coming to college took a little hit to my wallet.
11. You probably know Adam Sandler or know someone who knows him
In elementary school, it was a big deal that my friends dad went to high school with Adam Sandler. We looked through her dad's year book and found his class picture. It was a wild time. Yes, the rumors are true. Everyone in NH somehow knows Adam Sandler, and we are not ashamed.
12. Picking your vanity plate
I never jumped on this trend, but simply driving to the grocery store you will have an endless stream of different words and phrases drive past you.