Irreverent Maine Survival Tips [Primer] [Talk Mainer] [Where to Eat Lobster] [Where to Stay] [Wiscasset] [Camden] [Boothbay] MAINE PRIMER Can You Hear Me Now? NO! - Maine is known for a lot of great things, but cellphone service is not one of them. While in Maine, check your voicemail often for missed calls. Make sure you carry maps in case you get lost. We will send out important phone numbers next week for those that may find themselves in need of help. Comfort is in Vogue - Maine style is heavily influenced by comfort and function. You would be well-served to follow their example. Bring layers of clothing and prepare to wear the layers at all times. Why? Be prepared to add and remove layers of clothing based on (1) the ever-changing weather, and (2) your location inland or on the coast, (3) the time of day, and (4) mosquitos. A typical ensemble includes, khaki shorts, a T-shit under a long sleeve shirt and possibly a light sweater or wind-breaker around the waist, or a second shirt layer. (Check the photo of us at right to see our layers) Bring a hat as well. If you plan on a boat ride, make sure to bring a sweatshirt and a windbreaker as well, plus sneakers. If you forget any of these, check below for a great place to buy them -- Reny's. Even at a fine restaurant, most people will wear khakis and Oxford and VERY rarely wear a tie. The only real exception is if you go to Portland. People will dress more urban and stylish there. Eau De 'Ben's 100' - Mainers favorite fragrance to wear may be Ben's 100. There's a joke in Maine that the "Maine State Bird" is the mosquito or black fly. The only thing that stops these hearty birds in their tracks is to don some Ben's 100. It is 100% DEET, so only use a drop. You can buy it in most places in Maine, so don't worry about buying it until you get to Maine. Reny's: The Best Deal in Maine - Similar to how Target is called 'Tarsh-aye' with a French accent, Mainers call Reny's by 'Ren-ayes'. Need an extra pair of kahki shorts? If your forgot a shirt, need a cd player, a gift, or essentials, or you just want to look for bargains, head to Rene's in Bath or Damariscotta. Rene's is a small department store, something similar to a closeout and outlet store, that offers reasonable prices on everything. This is your best resource if you want to avoid prices inflated by tourist season. Bibs are for Babies! - Tourists are notorious for wearing a little plastic bib (supplied for free with all lobster meals) while eating their lobster (lobstah). Under no circumstances should you ever wear this. You might as well spray paint the word "numb" on your forehead. Also avoid strange devices such as mallets, for cracking shells. Mainers use nutcrackers and pliers to crack the shells of lobsters. Warning: Wear something unimportant when eating lobster and make sure you wash it afterwards. Eating lobster can be messy. How to Eat a Maine Lobster - So, you know the most important rule -- Don't wear the bib unless you want to look like a novice! To eat lobster on the cheap, the way Mainers do, go to a lobster pound (definition in right column). Depending on your appetite, order a 1 pound to 2 pound lobster. During the summer, their the shells are softer, the meat sweeter, but there is a little less meat. During the winter the shells can get very hard, but there is more meat. To actually eat it, prepare to get dirty. ** Insider Tip: Order a cull lobster to get more for your money. Cull lobsters are missing a claw and so get discounted, but you still get the tail meat!

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