Growing up, I lived about 15 miles from Center City in Bucks County, where our Snapchat filter was probably the most exciting thing about us, aside from being the home county of Sesame Place.
Because I spent my whole life moving all over Bucks County, I thought I had seen everything that the area "just outside of Philly" had to offer. When I left for Millersville University for the first time four years ago to begin my college journey, I learned just how wrong I was. I have met so many people who were from other counties "just outside of Philly" who have become some of my closest friends. Even people from Lancaster and other rural areas around it could relate to our childhood experiences.
Whether you ride the SEPTA trains or buses for long commutes into the city or you can see the Center City skyline from your bedroom window, these are things you can relate to.
You know that Philly is the only place you can get a truly authentic Philly cheese-steak.
You also know that the proper way to order a cheese-steak is "one, whiz, wit".
You or someone you know pronounces water ice "Wooder Ice".
You know that it's technically spelled "water ice" and that it's actually Italian Ice, but it's always going to be "wooder ice" to you. And you know it's best served with a warm Philly soft pretzel that you can dip in it.
The longest relationship you have ever been in is with Wawa.
To outsiders, Wawa may seem like just a gas station, but Philadelphians know it’s far more than that. It's no-fee ATMs, it's capable & kind employees, it's fresh and delicious sandwiches and prepared food, and it's the cheapest prices on cigarettes and milk allowed by law. It just IS... #Existentialism
Going on vacation means "going down to" the Jersey Shore.
When you're from "just outside Philly", one does not simply “hit the beach” or “spend time on the coast.” If you're from the suburbs, you sit in traffic for what should be a two-hour drive to southern New Jersey, and you go down the shore. Growing up, you take a week (or more, if you’re lucky) every summer, and get salt water up your nose while boogie boarding in the murky ocean with your cousins. Your hair turns an enviable blonde and you blister in the sun despite your parents’ incessant reapplications of sunscreen. Even as those blissful summer trips of your childhood fade away, "going to the shore" will always hold a special place in your heart.
You know at least one person who went to Penn State.
With dozens of universities located in and around the city, Philly is essentially a college town, and Penn State is just a few hours away. What Penn State has that those dozens of universities don't is enormous amounts of alumni. As my cousins would say "WE ARE... Everywhere!"
Your sports teams aren't the best teams in their leagues, but as their fan, you're still one of the loudest and the proudest.
Whether you are a diehard Philly sports fan or you just root for us so you get your free Dunkin coffee on Mondays after the game, we love our teams and we love to challenge our rivals (aka Pittsburgh, New England, New York, and last of all, our most intense rivalry: Dallas).
You couldn't be more tired of the Fresh Prince theme song.
No matter how tired you get of the song, you still catch yourself singing it every single time you hear it. (Don't lie... you know you do.)
Tastykakes are a part of a well-balanced breakfast for you.
Watching the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day is a must.
If you miss even the smallest fraction of it, you're beyond disappointed.
You probably went to Goodnoe's Ice Cream as a kid and had the "Pig's Dinner".
The King of Prussia Mall crowds? No sweat anymore...
The reason these crowds don't even make you flinch anymore is because you've gotten lost in there and had to swim your way through the ocean of people to find an exit.
Finally, You call sprinkles on top of your ice cream cone "jimmies."
