Every state has their quirks, including Maryland. While Marylanders see these things as every day occurrences, to an outsider, they may seem weird. The following are a few strange traits Marylanders may possess, but wholeheartedly embrace with pride.

  1. They are obsessed with calling Maryland “America in miniature.”

BrianSwan / Flickr Did you know that Maryland is referred to as America in miniature? Did you know it has the ocean, mountains, and all four seasons? OF COURSE YOU KNEW because Marylanders must tell everyone about America in miniature as often as possible. Hey, they’re proud and there’s nothing wrong with that.

  1. They wear their flag.

Jamie Alvarenga Can you blame them though? The Maryland flag is bold and delightful.

  1. They eat crab EVERYTHING.

Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr Remember how Bubba Gump was with shrimp? That’s how Marylanders are with crabs. Steamed crabs, crab soup, crab omelets, cream of crab, crab cakes…

  1. They shout “O” during the national anthem.

Doug Kerr / Flickr “…gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. OOO!!!”

  1. They own SO MUCH PURPLE.

Constellation / Flickr There are a lot of purple Fridays in a year. Mmmkay?

  1. And they refuse to wear black and gold.

Seth Sawyers / Flickr Unless of course it’s THIS shirt…

  1. They are really into Renn Fest.

greyloch / Flickr It’s actually pretty cool.

  1. They have no use for these “essential” crab picking items.

nycbone / Flickr Marylanders know exactly which joints to twist to get the meat out of crab legs. Mallets are rarely needed.

  1. They’re just really into the Civil War, okay?

CraigShipp.com Photos / Flickr Some might say weird. But maybe the term historically endearing is more accurate.

  1. Old Bay is their answer to everything.

Flickr / Mike Mozart Not enough flavor? Add Old Bay. To which types of food, you may ask? EVERYTHING.

What are other peculiar things Marylanders do? Share in the comments below!

BrianSwan / Flickr

Did you know that Maryland is referred to as America in miniature? Did you know it has the ocean, mountains, and all four seasons? OF COURSE YOU KNEW because Marylanders must tell everyone about America in miniature as often as possible. Hey, they’re proud and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Jamie Alvarenga

Can you blame them though? The Maryland flag is bold and delightful.

Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr

Remember how Bubba Gump was with shrimp? That’s how Marylanders are with crabs. Steamed crabs, crab soup, crab omelets, cream of crab, crab cakes…

Doug Kerr / Flickr

“…gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. OOO!!!”

Constellation / Flickr

There are a lot of purple Fridays in a year. Mmmkay?

Seth Sawyers / Flickr

Unless of course it’s THIS shirt…

greyloch / Flickr

It’s actually pretty cool.

nycbone / Flickr

Marylanders know exactly which joints to twist to get the meat out of crab legs. Mallets are rarely needed.

CraigShipp.com Photos / Flickr

Some might say weird. But maybe the term historically endearing is more accurate.

Flickr / Mike Mozart

Not enough flavor? Add Old Bay. To which types of food, you may ask? EVERYTHING.

 

NOTE: This article was updated on 8/30/16 as the company that was previously mentioned as #8 has since gone out of business.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.