If You’re From Binghamton, These 15 Things Make Perfect Sense

Growing up in Binghamton gives you a very specific set of instincts, opinions, and inside jokes that outsiders just don’t understand. From arguing over the “right” spiedie marinade to giving directions using stores that closed a decade ago, there’s a whole language and lifestyle unique to the Southern Tier. If you’ve ever corrected someone’s pronunciation of “Owego” or still refuse to call the Oakdale Mall anything else, these next 15 things are going to feel very, very familiar.

1. The Spiedie Isn’t Just a Sandwich

If you’re from Binghamton, you don’t just eat spiedies, you debate marinade brands, have a favorite charcoal to meat ratio, and know that Lupo’s and Salamida aren’t interchangeable. And yes, the Spiedie Fest is a perfectly normal thing to plan your summer around.

2. You Know How to Pronounce Owego, Chenango, and Skaneateles

People visiting from downstate or out of town butcher these names every time. But not you. "Oh-WEE-go," “Sha-NANG-go,” and “Skinny-Atlas” roll off your tongue like you were born saying them because you were.

READ MORE:  Discover Why Residents Love Living in the Binghamton Area

3. You’ve Had a Love Hate Relationship with the Carousels

As a kid, they were magical. As a teen, they were cheesy. As an adult, you’re kind of proud we’re the “Carousel Capital of the World,” even if you haven’t ridden one in years.

4. You Still Call It the Oakdale Mall, Not What It's Been Renamed

Renovations? Rebranding? Doesn’t matter. It was, is, and always will be the Oakdale Mall. And you probably bought your first pair of school shoes there.

5. You’ve Seen at Least One Person Tube the Susquehanna Who Definitely Shouldn’t Have

Warm day? Someone’s floating the river in a $10 Walmart tube with a 50% chance of regretting it. Local tradition.

6. Snow Days Never Impressed You

While other places shut down for a dusting, Binghamton kids were outside waiting for the late bus in two feet of lake effect snow. You didn’t even check school closings unless the plows gave up.

7. You’ve Had Conversations About “The Flood” Like It Was a Relative

Whether you mean 2006 or 2011, when someone says “the flood,” you know the tone: half trauma, half badge of honor. You might even know which end of the park got washed out first.

8. You’ve Driven on 17 Before It Became I-86 (And You’ll Tell People That)

You still say “Route 17” out of habit and refuse to acknowledge the number change.

9. Wegmans Is Basically a Spiritual Experience

You don’t go to Wegmans to shop. You go to bump into half your graduating class, sample cheese, and judge other grocery stores for not measuring up.

10. “Downtown” Means State Street, Even If You’re in Endicott

There’s Binghamton, Johnson City, Vestal, Endicott… but only one place is just “downtown.” And if you’re explaining nightlife, you measure time by “before” or “after” The Rathskeller.

11. You Know the Difference Between BU and SUNY Broome

If someone says “I went to SUNY in Binghamton,” you immediately ask, “BU or Broome?”

12. The Dick’s Open Is a Big Deal, Even If You Don’t Watch Golf

You may not own clubs, but you know the traffic pattern, the tents, and that one person who lives for the concert after the last round.

13. You’ve Been Stuck Behind a Tractor on 26 or 38

You’ve accepted it. You’ve sighed. You’ve maybe even taken a picture. Rural reality comes with the territory.

14. Everyone Knows Somebody Who Went to Maine-Endwell

Even if you didn’t go there, your cousin/friend/coworker/neighbor did. And you definitely remember when the football team won states (and possibly said, “of course they did”).

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15. You’ve Given Directions Using Defunct Stores

“You go past where Giant used to be, take a left at the old Hess, then down by the old IBM building…” Locals just get it.