help! South to North

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

In my opinion, MA drivers are aggressive, but it's a controlled aggression, and as you noted, they can also be really polite in certain circumstances.

People complain about MA drivers, but compared with CT drivers (or other drivers around New England), they're actually pretty good.

I also love that you referred to shoveling as a winter sport...haha...I often say that it's the best winter exercise available.

Driving should also be considered a sport in MA, especially in Boston. I learned to drive in NH, and we would definitely refer to people from MA as Mass-holes. When I would drive in MA, I was scared to death. Then I moved to MA. I very quickly became one of those agressive drivers, and I completely understand why they drive the way they do.

And if you get the chance, go to RI. It's often forgotten about, being the smallest state, but it's beautiful. Go to Providence and experience WaterFire on Saturday nights in the summer (http://www.waterfire.org/) And hit up the beaches!

[georgiacowgirl]

Wow. never expected so many replies. Thanks for all that by the way.

Hopefully, it will just be me, for a few years for college and then I plan to return to the South. I love it here, but I just need something different for a little while before I give up my life to the heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and gnats.

I think no matter where you go, you have to learn how people drive in that area. I can drive like a pro where I live, but I have to get mean if I go to Atlanta.

Oh, trust me! If it kills me....I will be warm! I'm not going to let myself freeze to death!

Soda? Pop? that's crazy! Here you go into a 7-11 saying "I'm getting a coke." and you come back out with a pepsi, mountain dew, gatorade, water, ect.

I know all about rough areas of town. We have like, 8 or 9 different gangs that live in our town, and you learn quickly not to go where you aren't wanted.



I do have a specific question though. If the roads freeze over, do you have to put snow tires on your vehicle?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by georgiacowgirl

I do have a specific question though. If the roads freeze over, do you have to put snow tires on your vehicle?

It's never a bad idea. However, I've never owned snow tires and I've been fine. They really take care of the roads there when it's snowing. I know in the south they tend to freak out over a few flakes, and they don't have the equipment to keep the roads plowed when it does snow. In New England, though, there are fleets of plows and the roads, for the most part, are always covered in salt during the winter months.

ETA: Keep in mind, however, that I'm used to driving in such weather. For someone who isn't, it might be a good idea to invest in new tires.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Driving should also be considered a sport in MA, especially in Boston. I learned to drive in NH, and we would definitely refer to people from MA as Mass-holes. When I would drive in MA, I was scared to death. Then I moved to MA. I very quickly became one of those agressive drivers, and I completely understand why they drive the way they do.

I'll admit that the first time I drove in Boston, at some point in high school (I grew up in CT), I was surprised at how aggressively people drove. People in CT always complain about MA drivers. Seven years of living in Boston (between college and post-college) changed that perspective. While MA drivers are aggressive, I've also found them to be, on the whole, very skilled drivers. They're aggressive, but they also won't put you in impossible driving situations, and they do respect the rules of the road.

Originally Posted by georgiacowgirl

Soda? Pop? that's crazy! Here you go into a 7-11 saying "I'm getting a coke." and you come back out with a pepsi, mountain dew, gatorade, water, ect.


I do have a specific question though. If the roads freeze over, do you have to put snow tires on your vehicle?

Haha...if you go into some store and ask for a Coke, that's what you're getting...a Coke. That's not such a big change though. As for "bubbler," in my 7 years living in MA I never used the term, so don't worry about it.

I tend to get all-season tires, and those work pretty well, even in deep snow. A lot of it is going to end up depending on what type of vehicle you drive.

[VandalSquirrel]

I suggest all season tires since you might drive elsewhere or home, and you can always put on chains/cables if the roads are bad. If they are really that bad do you really need to be out driving in it?

Get strap on treads for your shoes for the ice, like yaktraks, or something along those lines. Don't wear UGGs, get real snow boots, and decent winter socks. Mittens are good because your fingers share the heat, but gloves are good for dexterity, you can always get gloves you wear inside mittens.

Don't forget a AAA Plus membership those are great for being away from home.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Get strap on treads for your shoes for the ice, like yaktraks, or something along those lines. Don't wear UGGs, get real snow boots, and decent winter socks. Mittens are good because your fingers share the heat, but gloves are good for dexterity, you can always get gloves you wear inside mittens.

Flip-flop gloves! I think most people call them "convertible mittens," but they're awesome! I do a lot of work outside in the winter, and they're great.

One of my dormmates was actually from Providence, and she used to call sprinkles "jimmies." We were all, WTF? Some of the RI-based grocery chains sell sprinkles with a label that says "jimmies."

Now I'm getting all nostalgic for crazy Rhode Island...

[XAntoftheSkyX]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

One of my dormmates was actually from Providence, and she used to call sprinkles "jimmies." We were all, WTF? Some of the RI-based grocery chains sell sprinkles with a label that says "jimmies."

Don't even get started with the whole jimmie/sprinkles debate. I've seen homes ruined over it.