“Getting” Nantucket

BY BRUCE A. PERCELAY

While Nantucket is not a separate country, we have certain cust oms that are akin to traveling to a foreign land; we are different from life in “America” as the mai nland is known. Civility, courtesy and an understated sensibility are the language of Nantucket, and type A behavior is an unwanted import. We thought it would be instructive to offer a brief prime r to visitors and summer residents alike, as to how to practice the unspoken code of conduct that’s the essence of the island. For those new to the island, we offer 10 simple rules of engagement that will make your stay here happier and the island happier that you are here.

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Take your turn when entering a four-way intersection. Four-way intersections are not an Olympic event. Take your turn while entering the many confusing intersections on the island. Being first is not the goal. There are no traffic lights on the island, so people regulate themselves.

Wave a lot. When someone lets you go first in traffic or when you are passing another boat in the harbor, make a friendly gesture.

Visit the Whaling Museum. Not only is the museum beautifully presented, but it will give you an understanding as to what this island is all about and how it evolved.

Take two wheels instead of four . Rent a bike and not only will you get a better view of the island, but it will help reduce the traffic problem around the island.

Pick up trash on the beach—even if it is not yours. Our beaches are pristine, but leaving them better than you found them is a great rule. Also, try taking your own trash to the dump; it’s a “thing” every Sunday and you will be surprised who you see there.

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Abuse your car horn. The sound of horns is foreign to Nantucket and should be used sparingly. The only sound of horns that is appreciated on Nantucket are those that come from lighthouses. Also, most people don’t lock their cars here, and you don’t need to use car alarms because auto theft is almost unheard of on the island.

Mistreat waitstaff. Service people are the backbone of Nantucket and should be thanked for what they do. Generous tipping for those who provide great service helps support those workers who the island desperately needs.

Ignore boating rules. When you are boating here, learn the rules. Do not speed in the inner harbor; do not crowd the channel; and do not generate excessive wake when passing smaller crafts or sailboats.

Utter the words “Don’t you know who I am?”

If someone thinks they are a big fish at home, in Nantucket they are likely to be just one among a very big school. Humility is the best policy here.

Be flashy. Money is not the most valuable currency here as modesty is the best policy. Nantucket does not embrace showy anything—from the car you drive to the clothes you wear. On an island where some of America’s most successful people reside, the way in which you conduct yourself is your most valuable asset.

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