You are definitely not in Liverpool anymore if you see any of these 16 signs

There are very obvious signs you are in Liverpool - the Liver Buildings, Anfield stadium and the M&S Bank Arena to name just a few. However there are many other indications which may not be so glaringly obvious to people from outside of Liverpool, but Scousers can pinpoint them straight away.

And these signs, whether they are things you hear or see, become all the more apparent when you travel outside of Merseyside and notice they are missing.

From the colour of a bin, to what someone may be wearing no matter the weather, these are the signs that make you 100% know you are no longer in Liverpool.

Below the ECHO newsroom has compiled a list of things we think are indicative of being in Liverpool and the things we spot first when we travel elsewhere. We know there will be more and we love to hear them so be sure to let us know in the comments section.

16. You're unlikely to see a Sayers

Sayers the Bakers is the largest independent retail baker in the North West of England, established in 1912 in Liverpool. Which is why we are accustomed to seeing many of the bakeries on various locations across Merseyside. However, although there are some stores in Lancashire and Wales, the majority are in Merseyside.

15. Lads in shorts in winter

Whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter there is no rule if you live in Merseyside in regards to wearing shorts. However if you travel outside the region you will notice that men wearing shorts, in cold weather, is not a thing.

14. You don’t go to 'the Asda' it’s just… Asda

If you travel outside of Merseyside and overhear someone talking about nipping to their local Asda supermarket you won't hear 'the' in front of its name. It's only 'the Asda' in Merseyside.

13. Lads wearing white socks begin to appear

There is an unwritten rule of no white socks in Liverpool. There just is. So the minute you see lads wearing white socks you know you've ventured into unknown territory.

12. No purple wheelie bins

The purple wheelie bin has become somewhat of a landmark in Liverpool so it becomes glaringly obvious when you see a dull coloured bin instead that you are not in your homeland anymore.

11. References to "the baby" are only actual infants

In Liverpool you could be 1 day old, a week old or 10 years old, you will always be known as 'the baby' to someone in the family. So if you hear the word toddler, you've ventured too far.

10. On hearing your voice, some hilarious person will ask you to say "chicken" or "they do though don't they though"

The Scouse accent never fails to get a reaction but if you are being asked to say phrases like 'chicken' you know you aren't in Liverpool anymore.

9. Bus lanes are a thing

If you see a bus lane you absolutely aren't in Liverpool. Former mayor Joe Anderson removed bus lanes in 2014, however in 2023 it was announced by Liverpool City Council some would be returning.

8. People calling it Home Bargains

People in Liverpool have long referred to it as Home and Bargain. This is mainly due to the fact when the change first opened in the city the 'and' was included in its signs. Founded by Tom Morris in Old Swan, he changed its name in 1995.

So if you hear someone popping to Home Bargains you can bet you aren't in Liverpool.

7. 110s get called Air Max 95s

Air Max 95s are their actual name, we know this, but that doesn't stop us forever calling them 110s. The origin of the nickname '110s' comes from how they were once £110. So if you hear them being called Air Max 95s it is more than likely you aren't in Liverpool anymore.

6. You won't see a girl in pin curls

Well you might, but there is a 99% chance that the woman is in fact from Liverpool and has just travelled outside of the city, where she will undoubtedly be getting weird glances from people who only see pin curls on someone sat in a hairdressing chair.

5. A chippy actually means a fish and chip shop and not a Chinese takeaway

Liverpool is unique for many reasons; the accent, sense of humour and also our definition of a 'Chippy', apparently. To us, when we say "we're getting a chippy" we order foods such as salt and pepper chicken, fried rice, chips and more. But outside of Liverpool a chippy is very much so what it says on the tin, with some fish thrown in there.

4. There's no such thing as a lolly ice once you leave Merseyside

We say lolly ice, everyman and his dog elsewhere says ice lolly. We are right, it's a fact.

3. People form a queue at the bar

Queueing is a very British thing in general but in Liverpool you don't need to form an orderly queue at the bar, the bartender and everyone else will just know who is next, even if you are stood right next to each other. So if you see a queue you aren't in Liverpool and maybe you should be instead.

2. You start seeing rugby pitches

Liverpool FC, Everton FC and Tranmere FC, we clearly just didn't have room for rugby pitches.

1. Saying "take your own" to a bartender means potential bankruptcy

Scousers are known for their generosity so when we say 'take your own' to a bartender in Liverpool we know there is nothing to panic about. However you will either know by the quizzical look on the bartender's face, who doesn't have a clue what you are talking about, or by a surprising amount coming off your ApplePay that you are no longer in Liverpool if you do dare to say it. An ECHO member of staff found this out the hard way when he was out of the city.