After living with and aways being around people from outside Long Island at school, I have compared how words are pronounced, with the different slang that is used, with the generic stereotypes, and whatever else causes people from upstate to look at us funny or try to poke fun at our Long Island pride. Here is a list of things that I have been called out on because I live on Long Island.

1. Our Accent

Whenever we say any words such as Long Island, coffee, mall, dog and, of course, water, people are able to tell that we are from Lawn Guyland.

2. Are You Italian?

No matter who you are, on the island people normally use hand gestures while talking. When you go upstate people stare at you at will ask "Are you Italian? You use your hands while you talk all the time." For me, the answer is normally "No I'm Irish, but I am from Long Island."

3. It's A Pizza Pie, Not Just A Pizza

The ongoing argument between my friends and I is the age old debate, is it a pizza pie or just a pizza. Ask anyone off the island and they will call and order a large pizza, not a large pie.

4. We Don't Know What Upstate Is

When an upstater asks us the simple question of what we consider upstate, I am told we all think its anything above the city and I stick to my answer.

5. Our Bagels

My friends have never been to Long Island, so they never understood what is special about our bagels. When we came down for a concert and stayed on Long Island, we got bagels and now they understand why we are so obsessed with a bacon, egg, and cheese from our local bagel stores and delis.

6. The Names Of Our Towns

Want to get back at someone who is bugging you about Long Island? Torture them by asking them to pronounce some of our towns. They think we have odd names for our towns.

7. Our Driving Mouths

Everyone gets mad while driving. Long Islanders are just more passionate when someone cuts us off or isn't doing 65 or 70 on the highway.

8. Our Mouths

I have been told I have a problem with word choice and being rude. People from upstate don't understand that as a Long Island guy, I can be blunt and a little colorful with how I describe events and objects. Its just like my driving mouth, I am passionate about what I see. The key to talking like this is to not do it in front of your mother.

9. The Celebrities

Yes, we know that Billy Joel, Theresa Caputo (The Long Island Medium), and many more famous people are from the Island. Just because they live close to us does not mean we have met them or seen them out in public.

10. Long Island Pride

Yes Long Island is the best place ever. Yes we know our pride for our home is strong, get over it.