Blending In
Martha's Vineyard: Insider Tips
Only about 15,000 people reside year-round on Martha's Vineyard, but in high season the population mushrooms to six figures as short-time visitors flood in from the mainland. Among these seasonal guests, there's a fairly clear cultural distinction between mere tourists and Vineyard regulars whose families have been summering on the island for decades if not generations. Follow these simple rules, however, and you'll avoid the most common traits that will otherwise brand you as a Vineyard neophyte:
— First, when discussing locations around the island, remember that "up-island" refers to the more rural western end of the Vineyard, while "down-island" refers to the port communities of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Also note that the official name of Vineyard Haven is Tisbury (not to be confused with the up-island village of North Tisbury or its neighbor, West Tisbury, a.k.a.. "West Tizz,"), and old-timers tend to refer to the island's westernmost outpost, Aquinnah, by its former name, Gay Head.
— If you visit the Black Dog Tavern in Edgartown and purchase a T-shirt, cap or other article of clothing sporting the famous Black Dog logo, tuck it safely inside your suitcase and leave it there until you've left the island. According to a July 2005 report in the New York Times, the latest "cool Vineyard T-shirt" features the logo of Edgartown's Aboveground Records — a simple asterisk next to a lowercase "a."
— Finally, if you spot one of the numerous politicians, authors, film stars and other celebrities who frequent the island, local custom demands that you respect their privacy even in the most public places. Squeals of delight, requests for autographs or uninvited photography will be frowned upon, if not by the celebrities themselves, then certainly by Vineyard residents and regulars who take pride in the island's longtime reputation as a place where famous people can enjoy a little peace and quiet.
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