Being the first person from my school to go to St Mikes few people from home have any idea where it is. So when asked where I go to school I reply “St Mikes… in Vermont.” This is typically followed up by a “oh you’re one of those Vermont kind of people” face and a few personal assumptions of what we Vermont people do with our time.
Hippies/Hipster
We were hipster before it was trendy. Yes, socks and birkenstocks can be found elsewhere but not in the extreme concentrations as we have here. Colorful scrunchies and headbands, chokers, oversized sweaters, anything tie-dye and hats of all varieties are key components of our wardrobe. You can find me munching on my granola in a thrift store any day.
Maple Syrup
We Vermonters try to stick to the four main food groups: Cabot Cheese, Cider Doughnuts, anything locally grown, and maple syrup. Most importantly maple syrup. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner maple syrup is always a go to condiment. I wouldn’t even call it a condiment. Here it is the nectar of Gods.
Flannels
The clothing of all seasons is the Vermont Flannel. Nothing can beat a nice worn flannel by the wood stove or by the bonfire. Our flannels come in a whole range of styles from your casual flannel shorts all the way to attire for mans best friend.
Green
Vermont is green all the way from the mountains to the license plates to our environmental habits. Go green or go home.
Snow
When we aren’t hiking or thrift shopping eating granola you will find us where the snow is. You will hardly ever see a group of people more excited to see fresh snow than the skiers and boarders of Vermont. And if you don’t ski or snowboard are you really from Vermont?
Bernie
We still feel the Bern.
Ben and Jerry’s
The dynamic duo of Vermont, Ben and Jerry, has allowed outsiders to enjoy our very own culture. Their flavors convey the weird and wacky vibe of their people and their history is as rich as their ice cream. The Vermonster is a thing of dreams and spiked blood sugar.
Subarus
I personally feel the outback is the Subaru of choice. Just enough room for your skis, syrup tapping equipment, and fresh veggies from the local farmers market. If you can see out the back window you don’t have nearly enough bumper stickers.
Stickers on and off the Subaru
Vermonters never moved passed the sticker phase. Young kids get them as rewards in school for all of their accomplishments and so do we. Yes I “Ski the East,” and “Eat More Kale.” “I’d Tap That” while I “Feel the Bern” and “Keep Vermont Weird” in the “802.”
I’m proud to live up to all of these Vermont assumptions. As sarcastically as they sound they are all very much true.
Sources
Cover Photo: https://unsplash.com/search/outdoors Julian Bialowas
Photo 1: http://blog.freepeople.com/2013/08/trend-alert-birks-socks/
Photo 2: http://giphy.com/gifs/buddy-the-elf-egc0aqNWGfvm8
Photo 3: https://unsplash.com/search/flannels Ezra Jeffery
Photo 4: http://www.cartoonstudies.org/index.php/tag/green-mountain-state/
Photo 5: https://unsplash.com/search/skiing Laurie-anne-robert
Photo 6: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/411623-feel-the-bern
Photo 7: http://clearpathexecutivecoaching.com/ben-jerrys-4-key-things-they-get-right/
Photo 8: http://spidercars.net/2000-subaru-outback/
Photo 9: https://www.eatmorekale.com/store/5-round-sticker/