Before attending college in North Carolina, I have had the “luxury” of living in Connecticut for nearly 16 years of my life. Although the state is small, exclusive, and basically unheard of if you’re not from the North, there are definitive characteristics that define the Connecticut culture, such as:
Road construction.
Connecticut roads are in a constant state of renovation, and the road construction is so bad that even our detours have detours because of paving.
Not knowing whether or not to say you’re from Connecticut, just outside of New York, or just outside of Boston.
Clearly our little state has a great location, being pinned between two major cities and all, but that still doesn’t change the fact that the majority of the people you will run into while out of state have absolutely no idea where or what Connecticut is.
Your love for Dunkin Donuts.
Their slogan may be “America runs on Dunkin,” but it’s primarily the Northeast that runs on Dunkin. In the South, not only are they hard to come by, but when you do find a Dunkin, you’re often disappointed by it’s poor quality.
You avoid the Merritt Parkway at all costs.
Want to sit in bumper to bumper traffic for five hours? Then be my guest and take the Merritt.
For being so close to NYC and Boston, you rarely go.
It’s sad to admit that I live less than an hour from New York City, but normally, when I do go to the city, it’s to go to the airport.
“The City” is New York City.
Don’t pull that Boston or Chicago crap on anyone from Connecticut, because THE city is and always will be the big apple.
New York vs. New England sports teams rivalries.
It’s too common that I overhear Patriots and Giants fans bashing each other.
Dodging trees and deer during your daily commute.
Two things that Connecticut has way too much of. Yes, trees and deer do interfere with our lives.
Field parties.
I don’t know why it’s such a common thing in CT to throw a party in the woods (it’s probably because we have so many trees), but it is, and these parties are often accompanied by a bonfire.
You have, or used to have, a Golden Retriever.
It’s a completely accurate New England stereotype. Goldens make for the best puppy companion.
It’s an unspoken rule to dislike New Jersey.
No, New Jersey may have never done anything to me, but that still doesn’t give me a reason to like it.
Not being afraid to drive on what seems to be a one lane, incredibly steep, and windy road that no doubt has big trees next to the curbs instead of a guardrail.
It’s a rare occasion in my town to actually be on a road that has a yellow line, but that still doesn’t stop us from whipping around turns at 80 mph.
Your Friday nights always ended at the diner.
It was cheap, convenient, and the only thing open 24 hours a day that actually had good food.
Your public high school education rivaled that of the best private schools.
Move over Prep, you're really not that great.
You can drive in the snow with your eyes closed.
Although I wouldn't recommend driving with your eyes closed, driving in the snow is pretty much second nature for us, since it starts snowing in October and doesn't stop until April during most years.
