Maine is beautiful, rugged, and full of charm — but spend enough time here, and you start to notice some quirks only long-term Mainers will understand. If these experiences sound familiar, you might have been in the Pine Tree State a little too long.
1. You Own More Flannel Shirts Than Regular Ones
Flannel isn’t just fashion here — it’s a lifestyle.
2. You Can Crack a Lobster in Under 30 Seconds
Tourists struggle with the shell. You? You’re done before they’ve even picked up the cracker.
3. You Stop Noticing the Smell of Low Tide
At some point, the ocean scent — seaweed and all — just becomes background noise.
4. You Complain When It’s 80 Degrees
Mainers are built for cool weather. Anything above that feels like a heatwave.
5. You’ve Driven Hours for a “Quick” Trip
Two-hour drives don’t scare you — especially if there’s a good diner or flea market at the end.
6. You Can Spot a Tourist From a Mile Away
Usually because they’re wearing brand-new L.L.Bean gear and still asking for directions to “Bar Harbor” (pronounced wrong, of course).
7. You’ve Shoveled Snow in April
Spring doesn’t always mean warm weather here — sometimes it means one last snowstorm.
8. You Know All the Best Whoopie Pie Spots
And you have a firm opinion about which one is the best.
9. You Give Directions Using Landmarks, Not Street Names
“Go past the old red barn, take a right at the lobster shack, and you’ll be there.”
10. You’ve Stopped Being Surprised by Moose in the Road
At this point, you just slow down, wait, and maybe take a picture.
If these sound like everyday life, congratulations — you’ve officially gone full Mainer. You’ve adapted to the weather, embraced the traditions, and learned to live life on Maine time.
SOURCES
[1] https://1019therock.com/5-not-so-true-stereotypes-of-maine-people/
[2] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/maine/10-true-stereotypes-me
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Maine/comments/ub2f4p/whats_some_stereotypes_about_mainers_youve_heard/
[4] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/maine/15-types-of-people-from-me
[5] https://949whom.com/how-many-of-these-maine-stereotypes-do-you-believe/
