After spending two weeks in DC thus far, there are some essential rules that I have come to learn.
1. For the love of all that is holy-walk on the left, stand on the right. Tourists in the ‘I HEART DC’ shirts-you are in my way. Move it.
2. Never assume that the Red Line is going to be on time. In fact, assume that you will get stuck in a tunnel somewhere before Metro Centre sandwiched in between some sweaty hilltern that didn’t brush his teeth and whose hand is getting suspiciously close to your derriere and the lady with the weird smelling food in her bag.
3. Please dear God brush your teeth/put on deodorant before getting on the metro. And keep your hands to yourself. Don’t be that guy. It’s harassment on so many levels.
4. Never wear your heels if you can help it. My incredibly beat-up Vans (or nurse shoes as my father calls them) are a staple in my wardrobe when commuting to work. Your neon Nike’s might be a bit much with your perfectly color-coordinated skirt suit, but you will wear out your heels way too fast if you wear them everywhere.
5. DO NOT WEAR YOUR BADGE IN PUBLIC. You look like a noob. Put it on when you get off the metro, take it off when you get back on. Trust me, you look like an intern regardless of whether or not you wear your badge to post-work drinks.
6. Establish your dominance early with your roommates: don’t let anyone touch the thermostat without your consent or you will walk in one day, and it will be 85 degrees in your flat. I learned that the hard way.
7. If you are running late-blame it on the metro. No one needs to know you spent an inordinate amount of time trying to tame your hair in this humidity.
8. You will never tame your hair. Humidity always wins. No amount of curling, spraying, and praying will help you. Unless you are like my dear Southern Roomies who have been spraying and praying since infancy, you have no chance in hell. Give up now. Parisian style updos are your friends.
9. Enact maritime law in your flat. My Southern Roomies love to have people come over, and the charming guests bring over a dizzying array of beverages; by the end of the night, carrying a bunch of liquor across the city doesn’t sound appealing, so they leave it in our flat with the idea that they will one day return for it. This is the part that maritime law comes in handy: if it’s in our flat for more than 24hrs, its ours. No questions asked. Your booze has been commandeered.
10. The Lizzie McGuire Movie is always a perfect bonding activity. Preferably a sing-along version. A little nostalgia and appliquéd jeans and white wine will do wonders to roommate relations.
Overall, its been a great two weeks. If you are interning in the District, I would really recommend taking advantage of all the city has to offer. The only was to really experience it is to really just jump right in. Have fun, get lost, try new things. Just stick to the rules, and you will be fine!
The Intern Game 