From an unconfessed hoarding of Mambo sauce or starting convos with what you do for a living, Washingtonians have their undeniable quirks that never go unnoticed by fellow Washingtonians. Even if you’re not on your regular stomping grounds this summer, here is how you spot a Washingtonian wherever your travels take you:
1. They stand on the right and climb stairs on the left.
2. Saying “it’s nice to see you” instead of “it’s nice to meet you.”
3. Approach any conversation with the following, “What do you do?” and don’t even ask for their name.
4. Wet suits in July
5. “Do you have a card?”
6. Overrating Georgetown restaurants
7. Don’t go out past 10pm bye yourself
8. They’re anywhere but D.C. in the summer
9. Introducing oneself not only by occupation and affiliation to any given federal agency which has a three-letter acronym but then failing to mention one’s name during the entire conversation.
10. They don’t know how to make a cheese steak. So I make a steak and cheese. 🫤
11. Wearing New Balance sneakers
12. You leave the convo without knowing their name.
13. “Who do you work for?”
14. Talking about the National Mall
15. Rock Creek Trail, Au Pied de Cochon, 4th of July on the Mall with The Beach Boys.
16. It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that go-go swing….
17. Their dance moves
18. Talking about their shopping malls
19. Understanding what DMV a region before a business
20. Sports? Can we change the subject?”
21. Say National airport instead of Reagan!
22. Every school field trip was a visit to the National Air and Space Museum.
23. Move to the right!
24. I know what Chevy Chase is, not who!
25. Captain 20