Delawareans spend so much time explaining where we’re from that we never really listen to what outsiders are saying about is. After the first “delaWHERE?!” joke, we tend to shut down and tune out. I’ve been thinking about some of the Delaware stereotypes I hear often, and it’s time to admit that many of them are true. Turns out, life in the First State is exactly how it seems.
- We’re crabby.
Flickr / Mike Licht Steamed crabs are a necessity in Delaware, any time of year. We’re quick to order crab cakes, quick to defend Delaware over Maryland for crab dishes, and start most meals out with an order of crab dip.
- We’ve got our party beach…
Facebook / The Starboard Dewey is one of the best party beaches in the world. From incredible live music to bars that just don’t stop, if you wanna have a good time, hang out here.
- Our family beach…
Flickr / Jessica On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quieter vacation, try Bethany. Our family beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the simpler things in life.
- … and our tourist beach.
Flickr / Ted Eytan Rehoboth Beach is our summertime headquarters - and also the Nation’s summertime headquarters. Delawareans know to visit RB before Memorial Day and after Labor Day - and never in between.
- We’ll eat anything.
Flickr / Kevin Burkett And we won’t question it. Scrapple? Fry it up! Muskrat? Sure, why not?
- We hate paying sales tax.
Flickr / Woody Hibbard Sales Tax is a barbaric practice and we won’t stand for it. Traveling is fun, shopping out of state is not.
- It’s really rural below the Canal.
Flickr / Lee Cannon The farther into Sussex County you get, the more rural it gets. While Delaware is technically east of the Mason Dixon Line, it feels a whole lot like a southern state!
- We get excited over the littlest things.
Flickr / likeaduck Seeing Wilmington in Fight Club was cool, hearing “We’re in Delaware!” on Waynes World was a trip! Any time anyone mentions the First State, we get way more excited than most people. After all, New Yorkers hear about their city every day, but most of the time when we hear “Delaware” - it’s in the form of that annoying question “DelaWHERE?!”
- We’re really good chicken tenders.
Flickr / Tasmin Cooper And by that, I mean we’re great at tending chickens. There are millions of chickens in the First State, and chances are somebody you know has a flock in their backyard. These funny birds are so entertaining - even if they’re destined to be dinner one day.
- We all do know each other.
Flickr / Ismo It gets annoying when you travel out of state and someone says “Oh, Delaware? My aunt’s cousin has a neighbor from Delaware! Do you know Joe Smith?” It’s even more annoying when you have to answer that yes, not only do you know Joe Smith, but he coached your daughter’s softball team, or he’s friends with your brother, or he’s your boss. It happens way more often than we would ever like to admit. That’s part of the charm of living in a small state - the sense of community is strong, to put it lightly!
Are any of these Delaware stereotypes true about you? Tell us in the comments below!
Flickr / Mike Licht
Steamed crabs are a necessity in Delaware, any time of year. We’re quick to order crab cakes, quick to defend Delaware over Maryland for crab dishes, and start most meals out with an order of crab dip.
Facebook / The Starboard
Dewey is one of the best party beaches in the world. From incredible live music to bars that just don’t stop, if you wanna have a good time, hang out here.
Flickr / Jessica
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quieter vacation, try Bethany. Our family beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the simpler things in life.
Flickr / Ted Eytan
Rehoboth Beach is our summertime headquarters - and also the Nation’s summertime headquarters. Delawareans know to visit RB before Memorial Day and after Labor Day - and never in between.
Flickr / Kevin Burkett
And we won’t question it. Scrapple? Fry it up! Muskrat? Sure, why not?
Flickr / Woody Hibbard
Sales Tax is a barbaric practice and we won’t stand for it. Traveling is fun, shopping out of state is not.
Flickr / Lee Cannon
The farther into Sussex County you get, the more rural it gets. While Delaware is technically east of the Mason Dixon Line, it feels a whole lot like a southern state!
Flickr / likeaduck
Seeing Wilmington in Fight Club was cool, hearing “We’re in Delaware!” on Waynes World was a trip! Any time anyone mentions the First State, we get way more excited than most people. After all, New Yorkers hear about their city every day, but most of the time when we hear “Delaware” - it’s in the form of that annoying question “DelaWHERE?!”
Flickr / Tasmin Cooper
And by that, I mean we’re great at tending chickens. There are millions of chickens in the First State, and chances are somebody you know has a flock in their backyard. These funny birds are so entertaining - even if they’re destined to be dinner one day.
Flickr / Ismo
It gets annoying when you travel out of state and someone says “Oh, Delaware? My aunt’s cousin has a neighbor from Delaware! Do you know Joe Smith?” It’s even more annoying when you have to answer that yes, not only do you know Joe Smith, but he coached your daughter’s softball team, or he’s friends with your brother, or he’s your boss. It happens way more often than we would ever like to admit. That’s part of the charm of living in a small state - the sense of community is strong, to put it lightly!
For more about Delawareans bonding over common traditions, read 10 Unwritten Rules Every Delawarean Lives By ‘Til Death
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