Before I embarked on my college journey to the lovely, University of Rhode Island, I was warned by my family and peers of how different the New England area is. After attending my first semester here in Rhode Island, I have found my top differences between New Yorkers and New Englanders. Also there is no better way to represent my findings than having the help of the best New Yorkers on television.
1. Coffee Milk
Coffee flavored milk. Coffee milk is definitely something that is unique to Rhode Island and the northeastern region. It was introduced to me the first week of school and now I drink it every single day. It is milk with coffee flavored syrup. It's chocolate milk but instead of chocolate flavored its COFFEE FLAVORED.
2. Wicked
Everything is freaking wicked. At first it was extremely annoying but now I don't even hear the word when people say it.
3. Bubblers
Water fountains. Luckily my roommate is a Massachusetts resident and told me what a bubbler was because the first time I was told there were "bubblers" on our floor in our dorm buildings, I thought I lost brain cells. I had no clue what the heck a bubbler was.
4. Pizza
The stereotypes are true, pizza and bagels do not to New York. Besides the pizza and bagels not tasting the same, New Englanders do not call pizzas, pizza pies. I called a pizza place with "authentic New York pizza", and asked for a cheese pie and the man had no clue what I was referring to. Apparently "pies" aren't word for pizza up here, it's strictly "pizza".
5. "I live 20 minutes outside of Boston"
Everyone from Massachusetts will tell you they live twenty or thirty minutes outside of Boston. Every single one of them. They could really live in a town that is no where near Boston but they're still going to tell you they're "outside of Boston".
6. The New England Patriots
Patriots fans are relentless and scary. They will do nothing but talk about how Tom Brady is the "GOAT" and that the Patriots are the best thing to walk this earth. I get it the Giants suck and Tom Brady is God, next conversation please.
7. Grinders
Being from New York, I am used to being asked roll or wedge when talking about the type of bread I want my sandwich on. When I was told the version of bread I know as a wedge is called a grinder, I was so confused.
8. Dunkin Donuts
Everywhere you look there is a Dunkin Donuts and you can bet they're a cardboard cutout of a Patriot's player inside. New Englanders love their "Dunks". I've always been a Starbucks person, but I really take advantage of the 87 cent coffee the day after the Patriots win.
9. Vineyard Vines and L.L. Bean pretty much run the area
You cannot walk two feet without seeing someone in a pair of "Bean boots" or a Vineyard Vines vest. Yes both brands are nice, I'm not saying they aren't, they're just everywhere. On top of that New Englanders will not let you forget that wearing products from both these companies is such a "New England Thing".
10. I know, you hate New Yorkers.
If I had a nickel for every time a Rhode Islander told me how much they hated New Yorkers because they "take over the beaches", I'd be able to pay my tuition in full up front.
Regardless of the true stereotypes, I can confidently express my love and appreciation for this area (but I will never like Tom Brady, sorry). In just one year I have met many incredible people and seen many incredible things, including their killer sunsets. I am so glad I chose a school in New England and I wouldn't change my decision for anything.
