If you're from New Jersey, there's a couple of things that you just know. Jersey has such a rich culture, and the things you learn as a kid are going to stick with you whether you like it or not.
1. Driving in Jersey is not like driving anywhere else
New Jersey drivers are unique, to say the least. We have our own slang words for the illegal moves we make on the road, but it's totally okay, because we all do them anyway.
2. You'll never have a bagel or a slice of pizza quite like you do in Jersey
This is not an understatement. Those 3 AM study sessions will never be accompanied by the classic pizza you remember from that family owned joint back home. And your post all-nighters will never be fulfilled by a real bagel; you know, the kinds that are overstuffed with an uunnecessary amount of flavored cream cheese. It's just not the same.
3. Life's a beach, but not like the beaches we know
Jersey has an iconic array of beaches stretching the coastline. For me, summers have always been full of trips to Spring Lake. Other Jersey kids are natives to Long Beach Island and Seaside. You never realize how much you love the shore until you're stuck in a rural Pennsylvania town with one river and too many farms. And also, it's called the shore here, not the beach.
4. Your mall really is one-of-a-kind
At least for me, the mall near my school is practically irrelevant. I'm used to driving up to Rockaway, Bridgewater, or Short Hills to browse the newest collections at Forever 21 and GARAGE. But now, I'm lucky to find a store that sells clothes that haven't already been worn.
5. Diners hardly exist outside of Jersey
I always assumed that diners were a universal staple of every state in the country. Anytime I'm driving somewhere I'll always pass a couple retro diners along the side of the road. I've spent countless nights crowded into a local diner, just casually eating pancakes at 2 AM. Not to mention the relationships you quickly form with waitresses after spending so much time there. But outside of New Jersey, all you can find is places like Perkins and IHOP, and they don't have that 24-hour luxury.
6. I am not my accent
The amount of times I have been asked to say things like, "water", "nasty", and "car" is unreal. I've always assumed I didn't have an accent, but apparently to everyone else, I make it pretty obvious that I'm from the Garden State.
7. I literally don't know how to pump gas, don't make me do it
Call me spoiled, but I'm used to pulling up to a gas pump and having a nice attendant ask me how I want the car filled. I absolutely did not appreciate these nice men while I had them. At this point, I would rather walk than try to fill my gas tank.
8. It's not just stores and food
There's so much more to do in New Jersey besides shop and go out to eat. Most of my weekends at home were spent exploring a new hiking trail or forest. Of course, we spend a good amount of time catching a movie at the mall or grabbing some food, but we get our fair share of adventure.
9. The city means New York City, and we go a lot
When someone from Jersey refers to "the city", we're talking about New York City. It takes an average of an hour to and hour and a half to get there, making it an easy location for school field trips or day trips on the weekend.
10. No place will ever feel like New Jersey
As much as I enjoy the new Pennsylvania community that I've moved into starting college, I know that nothing will ever feel quite like home as much as New Jersey always has. New Jersey has everything that I love; from the food to the adventures. I don't know if I see myself living the rest of my life in New Jersey, but I know it will always hold a special place in my heart for all of eternity.
