Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
How to Avoid Being
Labelled a “Flatlander”
One of the standard jokes, repeated often by Maine humorist and author
of
How to Talk Yankee
, Tim Sample, tells of a native taking offense at a
person from away calling his or her children born in Maine natives. “Just
because my cat had kittens in the oven I wouldn't call 'em biscuits,” Sam-
ple says.
For the most part, natives and residents (which includes “people from
away” who were born “out-ah-state” and folks born elsewhere in Maine
but not in the town in which they are presently living), get along with vis-
itors just fine. Occasionally a vehicle may sport a “Welcome to Maine,
now go home!” bumper sticker, but they amount to little more than a
1990s Down East version of the '60s classic “Don't laugh - your daughter
could be in this van.”
Visitors, often referred to as “flatlanders,” must bear the brunt of several
stereotypes. You, however, as an educated and informed tourist, can
avoid doing most of the things that drive the locals nuts.
Pet Peeves
Driving seems to bring out the worst in visitors. First and foremost is the
assumption that everyone on busy highways is also on vacation. There
are no backroads for the locals to use - in most areas of the state there is
only one way to get to anywhere and back, and you may be today's rolling
roadblock. Look in the rearview mirror from time to time and pull over if
it's beginning to look like you are at the head of the 4th of July parade, es-
pecially if it isn't July 4th. Other pet peeves include:
Stopping in the middle of an intersection to consult a map.
Driving well below the speed limit and pointing a lot.
Wearing black socks and tie dress shoes with Bermuda shorts.
Entire families with matching t-shirts and retired couples
with cute his 'n hers outfits.
Illegal parking and turning around in private driveways.
Assuming all woodland or undeveloped areas are public prop-
erty - they're not.
Not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks (it is the law).
Not using the crosswalks.
Any general anti-social behavior, such as speeding, littering,
blasting stereos, flinging lit cigarette butts out of car windows
(especially dangerous when the forest fire danger is extreme).
