Vermonters have a unique way about them. Maybe it’s the flannel shirt, or maybe they are ordering a creemee on a hot day, but there are certain things that you’ll never be able to convince a true Vermonter of. If you have been living in Vermont for a while or used to live here, you’ll most assuredly recognize these 17 things every Vermonter knows to be true.

  1. They refuse to use fake maple syrup.

Flickr/Herman Saksono In fact, they don’t even call it maple syrup. It’s “the fake stuff” or “the maple impostor,” or occasionally something more crude. Plus, Aunt Jemima ain’t got nothing on their neighbor’s syrup.

  1. They don’t put too much trust in the weatherman.

Flickr/Kelly DeLay They know that although the weatherman may try, he’s never right. Rain one minute, hot and sunny the next? Golf-ball sized hail? Just your average Thursday.

  1. Mud season is its own season.

Flickr/Rick Payette They left this out of the elementary school textbooks, but boy do they know it’s true. Growing up in Vermont, you start to realize that “spring” was a lie. Rather it goes winter, mud season, and then straight to summer.

  1. They’re tough.

Flickr/redjar They wear shorts in December and know they are not guaranteed a snow day for 8 inches of snow. Or 12 inches for that matter. In fact, school doesn’t give them a snow day until they’re literally snowed in and cannot open the front door.

  1. Yuck.

Flickr/Ratterrell They don’t dread 3 feet of snow. They do dread mud season.

  1. And the winner is….

Flickr/Paul+photos=moody Making it home during Mud Season is a competitive sport.

  1. Bullseye!

Flickr/Jeepers Media They get unbelievably excited for their family outing… to Target.

  1. Are we home yet?

Flickr/Subadei They, or one of their friends, live on a long, unpaved “driveway” in the middle of nowhere.

  1. Boo!

Flickr/Ken Ronkowitz They’ve taken their kids trick-or-treating during a blizzard and design their Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.

  1. Nice and smooth.

Flickr/cnycompguy They prefer to drive in the winter because the potholes get filled with snow.

  1. Pure elegance.

Flickr/Send me adrift They have attended a formal event in their best clothes, their finest jewelry and their snow boots.

  1. How long will it take?

Flickr/UpSticksNgo

Flickr/Putneypics When driving, they give an ETA in minutes (or hours) rather than miles.

  1. They are always willing to lend a hand.

Flickr/Lens Envy You can spot a Vermonter when your car gets stuck in the snow because they will offer to help push the car.

  1. 802 is street cred.

Flickr/Willy D Since Vermont is one of the only states with just one area code, a phone number that starts with 802 is a badge of pride. Yeah, I’m looking at you 617, 516 and 781’ers!

  1. It’s called a creemee!

Flickr/Stevendepolo It’s not soft serve, it’s not ice cream – living in Vermont, everyone knows that it’s a Creemee! Accept this and move on please.

  1. A silent T?

Flickr/Richard Ricciardi Native Vermonters pronounce the word “Mountain” but leave out the “T” sound. It’s pronounced “Moun-in.” Since I wasn’t raised in Vermont, I still can’t say it properly, that is, with a silent T.

  1. Champ isn’t short for “Champion.”

Flickr/Don Shall The Loch Ness monster of Vermont supposedly lives in Lake Champlain and his name is Champ. Even if they think it’s not real, a small part of them will always wonder if it’s true.

These are just a few interesting things about Vermont and Vermonters. No doubt there are many more differences and stereotypes that make it obvious when a Vermonter is present.

Flickr/Herman Saksono

In fact, they don’t even call it maple syrup. It’s “the fake stuff” or “the maple impostor,” or occasionally something more crude. Plus, Aunt Jemima ain’t got nothing on their neighbor’s syrup.

Flickr/Kelly DeLay

They know that although the weatherman may try, he’s never right. Rain one minute, hot and sunny the next? Golf-ball sized hail? Just your average Thursday.

Flickr/Rick Payette

They left this out of the elementary school textbooks, but boy do they know it’s true. Growing up in Vermont, you start to realize that “spring” was a lie. Rather it goes winter, mud season, and then straight to summer.

Flickr/redjar

They wear shorts in December and know they are not guaranteed a snow day for 8 inches of snow. Or 12 inches for that matter. In fact, school doesn’t give them a snow day until they’re literally snowed in and cannot open the front door.

Flickr/Ratterrell

They don’t dread 3 feet of snow. They do dread mud season.

Flickr/Paul+photos=moody

Making it home during Mud Season is a competitive sport.

Flickr/Jeepers Media

They get unbelievably excited for their family outing… to Target.

Flickr/Subadei

They, or one of their friends, live on a long, unpaved “driveway” in the middle of nowhere.

Flickr/Ken Ronkowitz

They’ve taken their kids trick-or-treating during a blizzard and design their Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.

Flickr/cnycompguy

They prefer to drive in the winter because the potholes get filled with snow.

Flickr/Send me adrift

They have attended a formal event in their best clothes, their finest jewelry and their snow boots.

Flickr/UpSticksNgo

Flickr/Putneypics

When driving, they give an ETA in minutes (or hours) rather than miles.

Flickr/Lens Envy

You can spot a Vermonter when your car gets stuck in the snow because they will offer to help push the car.

Flickr/Willy D

Since Vermont is one of the only states with just one area code, a phone number that starts with 802 is a badge of pride. Yeah, I’m looking at you 617, 516 and 781’ers!

Flickr/Stevendepolo

It’s not soft serve, it’s not ice cream – living in Vermont, everyone knows that it’s a Creemee! Accept this and move on please.

Flickr/Richard Ricciardi

Native Vermonters pronounce the word “Mountain” but leave out the “T” sound. It’s pronounced “Moun-in.” Since I wasn’t raised in Vermont, I still can’t say it properly, that is, with a silent T.

Flickr/Don Shall

The Loch Ness monster of Vermont supposedly lives in Lake Champlain and his name is Champ. Even if they think it’s not real, a small part of them will always wonder if it’s true.

What do you think of these Vermont stereotypes? Do you agree? What are some other things that stand out as Vermont truths for those who have been living in Vermont? Let us known your thoughts by leaving a comment below, and share this with your Vermont friends and see if they agree!

If you are interested in learning more about Vermont culture, check out this article here on 11 Vermont sayings that will make you think Vermonters have their own separate language.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Vermont, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

living in Vermont May 18, 2020 Luke What stereotypes are there about Vermont? Where to start. Vermont is a fabulous and small state that enjoys some of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas in the U.S. One stereotype about Vermont is, therefore, that there’s not much else in the State except for mountains, forests, and lakes. Vermont also has the stereotype of being the vacation spot for those from big cities like New York, Boston, and Montreal. People from out-of-state think of Vermont as a little getaway, a charming place that doesn’t resemble their busy and hectic city lives. In reality, Vermont has much to offer, like maple syrup, cows, Ben & Jerry’s, ski bums, and more! Is Vermont a great place to live? Obvious disclaimer: this author lives in Vermont, but is not biased, or at least tries not to be. The answer is a resounding YES. Not only does Vermont have stunning landscapes and endless nature spots to explore, but the state also has excellent food, safe cities, great schools, and friends and down-to-earth people. Vermont is an environmentally aware place that focuses on healthy living styles and socially and environmentally aware and considerate, which all makes Vermont a welcoming and prosperous place for all. What are the best things about living in Vermont? There are many great things that you will experience if you choose to move to Vermont. Access to pristine and natural surroundings, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware people, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life.

The OIYS Visitor Center

living in Vermont

May 18, 2020

Luke

What stereotypes are there about Vermont? Where to start. Vermont is a fabulous and small state that enjoys some of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas in the U.S. One stereotype about Vermont is, therefore, that there’s not much else in the State except for mountains, forests, and lakes. Vermont also has the stereotype of being the vacation spot for those from big cities like New York, Boston, and Montreal. People from out-of-state think of Vermont as a little getaway, a charming place that doesn’t resemble their busy and hectic city lives. In reality, Vermont has much to offer, like maple syrup, cows, Ben & Jerry’s, ski bums, and more! Is Vermont a great place to live? Obvious disclaimer: this author lives in Vermont, but is not biased, or at least tries not to be. The answer is a resounding YES. Not only does Vermont have stunning landscapes and endless nature spots to explore, but the state also has excellent food, safe cities, great schools, and friends and down-to-earth people. Vermont is an environmentally aware place that focuses on healthy living styles and socially and environmentally aware and considerate, which all makes Vermont a welcoming and prosperous place for all. What are the best things about living in Vermont? There are many great things that you will experience if you choose to move to Vermont. Access to pristine and natural surroundings, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware people, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Where to start. Vermont is a fabulous and small state that enjoys some of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas in the U.S. One stereotype about Vermont is, therefore, that there’s not much else in the State except for mountains, forests, and lakes. Vermont also has the stereotype of being the vacation spot for those from big cities like New York, Boston, and Montreal. People from out-of-state think of Vermont as a little getaway, a charming place that doesn’t resemble their busy and hectic city lives. In reality, Vermont has much to offer, like maple syrup, cows, Ben & Jerry’s, ski bums, and more!

Is Vermont a great place to live?

Obvious disclaimer: this author lives in Vermont, but is not biased, or at least tries not to be. The answer is a resounding YES. Not only does Vermont have stunning landscapes and endless nature spots to explore, but the state also has excellent food, safe cities, great schools, and friends and down-to-earth people. Vermont is an environmentally aware place that focuses on healthy living styles and socially and environmentally aware and considerate, which all makes Vermont a welcoming and prosperous place for all.

What are the best things about living in Vermont?

There are many great things that you will experience if you choose to move to Vermont. Access to pristine and natural surroundings, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware people, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life.