- Maryland crabs: steamed with Old Bay seasoning (quintessential)
- Crab cakes: lump crab meat, minimal filler, pan-fried
- Oysters and Chesapeake Bay seafood
- Smith Island cake: Maryland state dessert with 8-10 thin layers
- Chesapeake Bay culture and waterman heritage
- Baltimore's Inner Harbor: historic ships and museums
- Fort McHenry: "Star-Spangled Banner" inspiration
- National Harbor and Maryland wine country along Patuxent River
Baltimore accent; Chesapeake Bay dialect; East Coast directness with Southern hospitality.
- Old Bay seasoning on crabs is sacred: respect the tradition
- Tipping 18-20% is standard
- Respect for Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts
- Baltimore pride is genuine: honor the city's history