In DC, there are some things you just don’t do ever. And there are some things everyone does without ever thinking about it. Here are 12 unwritten rules of DC that everyone follows!
- Don’t park your car in a no parking zone and always pay the meter.
Flickr/Mike Maguire Parking is terrible but don’t even try to risk it in a no park zone. You will get a ticket, end of story.
- Never cheer for the Penguins.
Flickr/Chris We know DC teams break our hearts but you never cheer for the enemy.
- Don’t drive when it snows. Don’t even try it.
Flickr/Caren Everything shuts down at the hint of snow. Don’t tempt fate.
- Always leave early because there will be traffic.
Flickr/Chris Petrilli It doesn’t matter where you are going or what time you go, you will hit traffic and it will be frustrating. Be sure to plan ahead.
- Don’t judge a restaurant by its cover.
Yelp/Sklar T. We might have lots of trendy restaurants with lines around the block that you should absolutely try. But some of the best restaurants don’t do look very appetizing from the outside. But every good Washingtonian knows the best food comes in surprising places.
- Never say you’re from DC if you’re actually from a suburb in Maryland or Virginia.
Flickr/bankbryan It is not the same thing. If you have to cross a bridge to get into the city, you are not from the city.
- Do not eat or drink on the metro.
Flickr/karen ybanez This isn’t just a rule in theory. It’s an actual upheld rule that everyone in the city follows.
- Ask people where they work right after you meet them.
Flickr/reynermedia It might be rude but it’s the Washington way of life. We introduce ourselves, find out each other’s names and then almost immediately, we find out our occupations. Don’t be weirded out if someone does this to you.
- DC is not the south.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM We’re not the south. We do not have accents. We are not southern.
- Always bring reusable bags to the store.
Flickr/Mr.TinDC That $0.05 bag tax will get you every time. Always bring a reusable bag.
- Walk left, stand right.
Flickr/marcus_jb1973 If there is one rule you should learn right away, it’s this one. Never stand on the left side of an escalator ever.
- Be open and accepting.
Flickr/Jonathan In DC, you’ll meet people from many different walks of life. It’s a melting pot of diversity and new experiences. If you’re open to everything you can learn and experience in DC, it will find it’s way to your heart.
Do you follow all of these rules? Did we miss any? If you just moved to DC or are thinking about it, then these 14 things will also be helpful to you!
Flickr/Mike Maguire
Parking is terrible but don’t even try to risk it in a no park zone. You will get a ticket, end of story.
Flickr/Chris
We know DC teams break our hearts but you never cheer for the enemy.
Flickr/Caren
Everything shuts down at the hint of snow. Don’t tempt fate.
Flickr/Chris Petrilli
It doesn’t matter where you are going or what time you go, you will hit traffic and it will be frustrating. Be sure to plan ahead.
Yelp/Sklar T.
We might have lots of trendy restaurants with lines around the block that you should absolutely try. But some of the best restaurants don’t do look very appetizing from the outside. But every good Washingtonian knows the best food comes in surprising places.
Flickr/bankbryan
It is not the same thing. If you have to cross a bridge to get into the city, you are not from the city.
Flickr/karen ybanez
This isn’t just a rule in theory. It’s an actual upheld rule that everyone in the city follows.
Flickr/reynermedia
It might be rude but it’s the Washington way of life. We introduce ourselves, find out each other’s names and then almost immediately, we find out our occupations. Don’t be weirded out if someone does this to you.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
We’re not the south. We do not have accents. We are not southern.
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
That $0.05 bag tax will get you every time. Always bring a reusable bag.
Flickr/marcus_jb1973
If there is one rule you should learn right away, it’s this one. Never stand on the left side of an escalator ever.
Flickr/Jonathan
In DC, you’ll meet people from many different walks of life. It’s a melting pot of diversity and new experiences. If you’re open to everything you can learn and experience in DC, it will find it’s way to your heart.
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