This is only my second year celebrating Thanksgiving away from my family in Rhode Island… still feels a little strange. My friend Jenn, who I grew up with at the beach, invited me to spend the holiday with her and her mom and sister. Awesome. We told stories, reminisced about Rhode Island stuff, played some catch phrase, and ate delicious food. To capture a moment in time (since I lent my camera to Chip for the next day or so), here’s what we read through and laughed about while getting dinner together…


You know you are from Rhode Island (pronounced Roe Dylin’) if:

You know the basic rules of DuckPin bowling.

You own garden tools from Job Lot.

You have used the expression “Not For Nuthin” or “bubbla”.

You serve bread with every meal.

You know what “3 all d’ way” means.

You load up on milk and bread before a snowstorm.

You have a bottle of coffee syrup in the fridge right now.

You’ve gotten sick from eating too many clam cakes.

Your first live concert was at The Civic Center or Rocky Point.

You were born at Lying-In Hospital.

You still call the Rhode Island Mall the Midland Mall.

You have used a demolished landmark such as ALMACS or Finast when giving directions.

You secretly watch the NBC TV show “Providence” even though you tell your friends you don’t.

You have slammed on your brakes to discourage a tailgater.

You know what a burger “The Newport Creamery Way” is.

You have dated a girl named Brenda or a guy named Vinnie.

You’ve personally met Vinnie Paz.

Your idea of a dream house is a raised ranch.

You have relatives who have been to Edgehill Newport, Codac, or Butler.

You’ve bribed your mechanic for a new inspection sticker even though your car failed to pass the safety inspection.

You have a degree from RIC, CCRI or URI.

You think vodka and Del’s is a great combination.

You’ve been to Twin Oaks for your birthday.

You know how to pronounce Pawtucket, Cowesett, Usqepaug, and Narragansett.

You’ve been to Scarborough Beach but not Block Island.

You know where “The Pier” is located.
You’ve gotten sick eating too many clam cakes.
You like your clam CHOW-dah clear not white or red.
You put vinegar on your french fries.

You’ve been on a Bay Queen cruise.

You can recognize a Cranston accent.

You drop the “w” in Greenwich, Kingstown, and Warwick.

You use the expression “down-city” for downtown.

You’ve eaten at Haven Brothers, drunk.

You celebrate St. Joseph’s Day and know what a “zeppolla” is.

You have at least one gallon of Newport Creamery coffee ice cream in your freezer.

You know what “ProJo” stands for.

You still call CCRI “reject”.

You think that “party/potty” “God/guard” “law/lore” and “hot/heart” are
examples of homonyms.

You know the original name for Airport Road.

You always start giving directions by saying, “Well, you get on 95.”

You know what “John from Alpert’s” sounds like.

You refer to the movies as “the show.”

You know what Allie’s makes.

You know what a “package store” is.

You think lots of gold jewelry looks great on the beach.

Your favorite expressions are, “Are you serious?”, “Wicked”, and “You know what I’m saying?”
You’ve thrown at least one yard sale this month.

You know you need “quahogs” to make “stuffies”.

You know there’s a West End but not a West Providence.

You think banana, vanilla, and idea all end in “r”.
You put celery salt on your hotdogs.
You see turn signals or “directionals” as optional car equipment.
Your into Keno, Powerball and the drawin’.
When told surprising news, you answer “Geddout”, or if you’re female, “No Suh!” 
If you are going to the basement, you’re going “down cellar.”
Instead of eating dinner, you eat suppa. 
You call spaghetti sauce, “gravy.”
You’ve eaten a Wimpy Skippy on the Hill.
You know what “Leggs and Eggs” is.
You ask your mechanic to give you a state inspection sticker even though your car failed.
You know that there is never any school in Fosta-Glosta when it snows.
You’ve gone to Cumbie’s for milk or gas.
You’ve eaten Jonnycakes or Johnny cakes (with an h if the fllint corn comes from out of state).
You know someone in the mob, but won’t admit it.
AND THE NUMBER 1 REASON YOU KNOW YOU ARE A RHODE ISLANDER….
You’ve voted a convicted felon into office at least twice!

Your a native Rhode Islander and you know you’re not in Rhode Island if:
Your new friends start asking you to repeat words such as car, potato, pizza, barber, and chowder.
You see a car with RI plates and you have an uncontrollable urge to ask, “What pot?”
You ask a friend who’s going to Rhode Island to bring back some Saugy’s and/or hot weenies.
The car in front of you is using its turn signal.
You’d gladly shell out $35 for a black market bottle of coffee syrup!
You’ve driven 5 miles in a populous area and have not seen a Dunkin’ Donuts.
You ask the waitress for a grinder and she gives you directions to Home Depot or Lowe’s.
No one wishes you a Happy St. Joseph’s day.
You don’t get VJ day off from work.
When you say that you have a “great idear,” people look at you funny.
You receive blank stares when asking where the “bubbla” is located.
You’re reading this and pronouncing all the words like a true Rhode Islander.
You’re proud as hell to (still) be a Roe Dylinda!