10 More Unwritten Rules of New Hampshire Locals Just Understand

I already realized after writing my first list of unwritten rules of New Hampshire that I barely scratched the surface here. All of my co-workers have had to offer their 2-cents.

The longer you live here, the more you realize New Hampshire has its own little code of behavior that nobody officially teaches you… but somehow everybody just understands.

And if you’ve lived here long enough, these are going to feel very familiar.

1. If Someone Says “I Know A Shortcut,” Prepare For A 40-Minute Backroad Adventure

New Hampshire people LOVE a backroad… most of the time they’re right.

Somehow you’ll avoid traffic, see three covered bridges, pass a random farm stand selling homemade maple syrup, and end up on a road you swear shouldn’t legally exist.

But you trusted them. And now you’re committed.

2. You Don’t Truly Become A Local Until You’ve Complained About Massachusetts Drivers

Listen… it’s not personal. It’s just kind of part of the culture here.

At some point, every New Hampshire resident has muttered something under their breath after spotting a Massachusetts license plate doing something questionable in traffic.

It’s basically a rite of passage.

3. The Second The Sun Comes Out, Everybody Wants To Hike

I can relate to this one... this was me. It could’ve rained for five straight days.

But the SECOND the weather app says “sunny and 62,” every trailhead parking lot in the state suddenly fills up.

Especially around Mount Monadnock (the hike that almost broke my ankles and made me rethink my life choices)

4. Locals Know Exactly Which Gas Stations Have “The Good Coffee”

Not all gas station coffee is created equal. And New Hampshire locals absolutely have opinions about it.

There’s always that one random place everybody swears by.

5. The First Person To Put Away Their Snow Brush Always Regrets It

You’d think by May we’d be safe but, New Hampshire weather loves chaos.

And every single year somebody gets overly confident, cleans out their car for summer… and then gets hit with one last random cold morning.

READ MORE: Starting Over in New Hampshire Has Been Harder Than I Expected

6. Nobody Wants Summer To End… But Everybody Gets Excited For Foliage Season Anyway

We complain that summer flies by.

Then suddenly everyone’s posting leaf pictures, planning drives through the White Mountains, and talking about “peak weekend.”

Honestly… fall in New Hampshire is hard to beat.

7. If You Can Pronounce Piscataqua Correctly On The First Try, You Probably Belong Here 

Out-of-staters don’t stand a chance with this one. (I failed miserably - Piss-ca-tac-wa)

Same goes for places like Kancamagus.

You can always tell who’s been here awhile.

8. Every Town Has A Restaurant People Swear Is “The Best Hidden Gem”

And locals will defend it with their life. Doesn’t matter if it’s seafood, breakfast, pizza, or fried clams.

Everybody has THEIR place. And they absolutely think everyone else is wrong.

9. We All Act Annoyed About Winter… Then Miss It During Summer Heat Waves

By February, everybody’s over it. The snow. The ice. The scraping windshields.

But then July shows up with humidity and suddenly people start saying:
“Honestly… I kinda miss winter.”

Every. Single. Year.

10. If Someone Invites You To “The Camp,” Just Know You’re Probably Losing Cell Service

“The camp” could mean:

• a tiny cabin
• a family lake house
• a hunting shack
• or a full-blown waterfront mansion

But one thing is guaranteed:

Your phone probably won’t work. That’s kind of the point and I need that place in my life.

New Hampshire really does have its own personality. The longer you live here… the more these weird little unwritten rules just start making sense.

Can you add to the list?  Let us know on the station app.