1. Because it’s always a conversation starter.

 

If by a conversation you mean shouting “NO IT’S NOT NEAR SOUTHAMPTON” at someone until you pass out.

2. Because you learn to take the rough.

 

(Rough like the sea.)

3. With the smooth.

 

(Smooth like the sea.)

4. Because you fail to see what’s not normal about chips, cheese, and gravy.

 

Show me a national dish that’s better!

5. Because life there is pretty peaceful.

 

There’s a great pun coming up. You ready?

6. So you learn how to cope with just…hanging around.

 

Man, that really was a great pun.

8. Because wherever you go in the world, someone will have heard of it.

 

Even if the reason they’ve heard of it is something you spent your entire youth ignoring.

9. Because when someone brings up waterwheels you’ve got an unbeatable fact in your back pocket.

 

Sadly, people don’t bring up waterwheels half as much as you’d like.

10. Because you understand what wind really is.

 

(Hint: It is very different to what Londoners think wind is.)

11. Because you know that some places do still charge £1 per drink (or £1.30 for a pint).

 

It’s a quid. To get in. And it’s called Quids Inn. GEDDIT?!

12. Because being from somewhere with an endangered language is something to be proud of.

 

Even if you can’t speak a word of it.

13. Because politicians feel accessible, whether you agree with them or not.

 

14. Because there’s always some sort of drama.

 

Especially if you hang around Colours on a Saturday night. (Yes, I know it’s not called that anymore. No, I couldn’t be bothered to find out what it’s called instead.)

16. Because it gives you time to reflect.

 

Here I toyed with the literal and metaphorical meanings of the word “reflect”. Good, huh?

17. Because you know your neighbours are never too far away.

 

But that doesn’t mean you have to spend time with them.

18. Because darkness on the Isle of Man is like nowhere else.

 

19. Because you can appreciate any nightclub in the world once you’ve been in the worst.

 

There are those people who don’t think the Outback is that bad. Those people are very, very wrong and deserve to be told how wrong they are on an hourly basis.

20. Because you’re only ever five minutes from complete silence.

 

Hear that? Nope? Exactly.

21. Because for two weeks a year you know there’s nowhere quite like the Bushy’s tent.

 

(I promise it’s much better than this photo makes it look. Well, a little better at least.)

22. Because you don’t have to go too far to feel on top of the world.

 

OMFG A DOG!

23. Because you know what’s at the end of the rainbow.

 

Spoiler: There’s no gold. Just a golf course.

24. Because there’s always someone willing to say hello.

 

Yes, that’s right. On the Isle of Man, seals can talk. Every day’s a schoolday, eh?

25. Because you understand the morning commute doesn’t have to be the worst part of your day.

 

Let’s ignore the fact that the trains don’t really start until about 10am and you’d probably be very late. But…pretty, right?

26. Because if you can take on the Quarter Bridge and survive, you can do anything.

 

Until you leave the island and drive on actual roads and realise it’s a pretty standard roundabout. But when you’re 16 it’ll make you shit yourself, I promise!

27. Because you appreciate the importance of tradition.

 

My, what a big shovel.

28. Because you know that the best trains have names.

 

Though tbh, they don’t really respond when you call their names. Ignorant bastards.

29. Because you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to find a view as good as Bradda Head at sunset.

 

I can’t be funny about this. It’s too pretty. Sorry.

30. Because you know it’s always vital that you have a plan B.

 

But if your plan B is flying, you’d better hope you’ve got a plan C…

31. Because you know that all storms, no matter how severe…

 

32. …will eventually pass.

 

(But then another storm will probably come about 20 minutes later, so enjoy it while you can.)

33. Because you know that what cats lack in tails, they make up for in personality.

 

OMFG A CAT!

34. Because you’re now an expert on cycling.

 

You’ve got something on your face, Cav.

35. Because you think it’s totally fine to believe in fairies.

 

Being told you’ll crash your car unless you wave at the fairies is enough to make the most cynical mind reconsider.

36. Because you’ll never be able to say what one of these is called.

 

R…..A…..

37. Because you know how important it is to make the most of the three days of summer the island has each year.

 

Though you’d be amazed how burnt people can get in three days. 

38. Because instead of making you feel trapped…

 

39. …being surrounded by water actually makes you feel protected.

 

Well, ever since the Vikings invaded, at least.

40. Just, because…