17 Ways To Spot Someone From Rhode Island

Let’s be honest, most Rhode Islanders rarely leave the state and rightfully so! With so many great restaurants, fun attractions, and of course the coastline, why would we? Some of us do leave on occasion, and when we do it’s easy to identify us. Here are 17 sure fire ways you can always spot someone from the Ocean State.

If you see someone wearing shorts, flip flops and a jacket in the winter, there’s a good chance you’ve found another Rhode Islander. This is especially true if it happens to be snowing!

Flickr/Max Wheeler

They have amazing pothole dodging skills. Check out this one on Dean St. in Providence.

Flickr/Jef Nickerson

You’ll hear them calling any drive lasting more than 15 minutes a “road trip” and they won’t be amused.

Flickr/Fly

When they order their milkshakes, they call them “cabinets.”

Flickr/Robert Patton

They ask for “jimmies” instead of sprinkles on their ice cream.

Flickr/Terri Swallow

The whole family is dressed in Patriots attire and they don’t have to argue about having the best team. They just know they do.

Flickr/Scott

If you see someone passing in the right lane, they could be from Rhode Island.

Flickr/J. Steven Conn

If that same person gets in the passing lane just to cruise, there’s an even better chance they learned to drive in Little Rhody. Don’t worry, we’re not saying they’re bad drivers because they know they’ll never be as bad as Massachusetts.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

They drink iced coffee all year round because why not?

Flickr/Mike Mozart

They don’t understand why their “extra extra” (extra cream, and extra sugar) coffee order comes as just an extra large black coffee in most other states.

Flickr/Lewis Dowling

If you see someone with coffee syrup there is no doubt they’re from the Ocean State.

Flickr/Mike Rohde

If someone asks if their accent is Bostonian, they get slightly offended.

Flickr/Jasperdo

What most places would call great seafood is actually slightly disappointing compared to the amazing seafood restaurants found in the state.

Flickr/Selbe Lynn

They’ll ask you where the “bubbler” is instead of the water fountain.

Flickr/momboleum

When giving phone numbers, they will not include the area code. The state is so small, the only area code is 401.

Flickr/Fernando Clavijo

They assume every state still observes Victory Over Japan Day, a Rhode Island state holiday commemorating the day Japan surrendered during World War II. Really it’s just an excuse to take the day off and go to the beach and have barbecues.

Wikimedia/USMC Archives

One thing true about most Rhode Islanders is they will eventually need to be near the ocean. If traveling and the ocean is not available, some large body of water will have to suffice.

Flickr/Bob Weir

There are just some things most Rhode Islanders have in common. Can you think of any other ways to spot a fellow Rhody resident? Tell us in the comments.