16 Thoughts Every Marylander Has When Picking Crabs

After what seemed like eons of waiting, crab season is finally here! You can find steamed blue crabs in a few of our neighboring states but everyone knows that NO ONE does crabs like Maryland. Picking crabs is a lot of work. So much so, that some people don’t understand why we sit for hours for only a little bit of meat. Well, Marylanders get it. Here are 16 thoughts every Marylander has when picking crabs.

When you’re not particularly hungry, so you announce, “I’ll only eat one.”

Flickr / adaenn

But then one leads to two…

Flickr / rachaelvoorhees

And the next thing you know, you’ve massacred two dozen crabs.

Flickr / Peter Burka

The tragic let down when there’s not enough seasoning.

Flickr / Ryan Bailey

Or when there’s too much seasoning, burning your lips like the fires of Hades.

Flickr / Susan Smith

When you cut your finger on one of the crab’s spikes, but choke down the tears because there’s still more crabs to be eaten.

Flickr / Catherine

When you’re later reminded of that cut upon clean up time.

Purell = agonizing.

Flickr / Patrick Ceralde

The awesome feeling of knowing you came prepared.

Flickr / mroczknj

The unnerving feeling when a steamed crab seems to look at you with utter despair.

Flickr / nikoretro

When you boldly declare “I don’t need a mallet!”

Flickr / Mallet and fork

But then you encounter a giant claw and all bets are off.

Flickr / Alyson Hurt

When you get a bushel of extra juicy crabs and the juice squirts in your eye.

Flickr / Shawn Rossi

The feeling of success when you find the perfect piece of crab meat.

Flickr / Brian Bald

When you can’t fathom just how perfectly beer pairs with crabs.

Flickr / Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC)

And finally, the satisfaction of knowing that this…

Flickr / laurabl

Turns into this. A glorious display that only Marylanders will understand.

Flickr / Jeffrey

Happy crab season! What are other thoughts you have while picking crabs? Share in the comments.