Folks who moved to D.C. from elsewhere: what were your biggest, funniest, scariest or most surprising culture shocks that nobody prepared you for?

In accordance with rule 10 (and hopefully rule 0... please mods... work with me here), I ask this question instead of asking for moving advice, hoping to provide a place for conversation and storytelling!

Edit: here’s a TL;DR of the comment section, as far as I understand it.

1.) Kiss all Virginia drivers on the cheek, but hide from Maryland drivers at all costs. Apparently we need bunkers? 2.) Bring pizza and Mexican food from your hometown, lest be disappointed. 3.) People drink (more/less) than expected. Pick whichever you like and it is accurate. 4.) Rat. 5.) Mosquito.