The unwritten rules of Rhode Island
From Del’s to beach parking, we’ve got you covered with every secret you need to know
Do you know the proper way to order a hot wiener? how do you find parking at rhode island’s notoriously crowded beaches? And what’s the proper way to give directions to landmarks across the state?
Whether you’re brand new to rhode island or you’ve lived in the ocean state all your life, you’ve probably learned that we do things a little differently here. so i decided to have a little fun and ask readers of rhode map, my daily morning newsletter, to send in the unwritten rules of rhode island. naturally, we received hundreds of suggestions.
here’s a guide.
Food & Dessert
if only one unwritten rule could be written into state law, it would have to be that under no circumstances should you ever drink del’s lemonade with a straw.
Ann Anesta wrote that the only exception is that her 92-year-old father should be allowed to use a straw to avoid the mess, but clearly the General Assembly should appoint a del’s czar to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on these special circumstances.
hot dogs are frowned upon in rhode island because of hot wieners, and ed hannan reminded us that “you order ‘em ‘all the way,’” which is chili, mustard, chopped onions, and celery salt. one other acceptable way to order is to ask for “the works,” according to tony morettini.
And always wash those hot wieners down with a coffee milk, morettini said.
When it comes to family gatherings, patrick Quinn explained that pizza strips should always be an option, but never the only choice. make sure you augment those strips with anything from pasta and meatballs to salad.
other rules of the road include always putting white vinegar on your french fries, and of course chowder should be spelled and pronounced with an “a” at the end.
Travel
no matter where you live, you almost always assume your state has the worst drivers, and rhode island is no exception. more than 10 readers mentioned the potholes in providence or a refusal to use the turn signal, but there are a few uniquely rhode island driving quirks.
first, lewis dana wrote that when issuing directions, you should “always use long-vanished landmarks as reference points.” example: “take a left where the Almacs used to be.”
Jessica K. Willi, executive director of the block island tourism council, has a smart piece of advice about everyone’s favorite island: “never call it the block.” that’s just tacky.
Whether you’re traveling to or from Aquidneck island — where newport is — you should always “pack a lunch,” according to larry davis.
if you’re a real rhode islander, you “never ever follow the law when getting to a four-way intersection by taking turns counterclockwise,” explained university of rhode island professor cheryl foster. “once the first-arrived car goes, you go,” she said.
Sayings
let’s get the basics out of the way. rhode island is still a “know a guy” state, as in, you know someone who can help you with everything from plumbing to obtaining providence friars’ tickets at the Amica mutual pavillion.
A cabinet is a milkshake with ice cream, according to mark carruthers. usually coffee ice cream.
he also added that you might have noticed that some older residents refer to a convenience store as a “spa,” but that’s only if it has a soda fountain.
And, carruthers said, a hoodsie is a cardboard cup of ice cream, eaten with a personal-size flat wooden spoon that comes with it.
Beaches & Leisure
readers sent in a combination of practical and specific rules about rhode island’s gorgeous beaches, like you should never feed the seagulls because they’ll never stop annoying you while you’re sunbathing, and you should always move your neighbor’s beach chair if they have gone for a walk and the tide begins to come in. it’s just common courtesy.
When you’re trying to find a beach, start early in the morning and make sure you follow the state’s official parking status monitor so that you know if there’s availability in the lots. if your lot is filled, you might want to consider switching locations.
Jane miller wrote that parking in downtown Warren is notoriously difficult, but there’s a park-and-ride on franklin street along the bike path that typically has spots. “it’s within easy walking distance of the famous coffee cabinets, restaurants, watering holes, and on the main drags of main and Water streets,” she said.
While it’s technically not a beach, christine villecco offered up a sound piece of advice: “don’t swim in the blackstone river.”