Two months ago, I left my Southern New Jersey home to experience the joys of the collegiate life at Bucknell University. When I got to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, I quickly realized that there were not too many people who shared in my South Jersey lifestyle. Besides the obvious fact that Pennsylvanians know nothing about good pizza, there were at least 10 other things that no one knew about unless they were from South Jersey!
Here are 10 things that are blaring trademarks of the South Jersey lifestyle that everyone else just doesn't understand!
Wawa
If you are from South Jersey, you know the importance of Wawa. Wawa is undoubtably the greatest convenience store that was ever created. I feel so bad when I meet people that have not had the experience of walking into Wawa and being overtaken by the delicious smell of Wawa's vast assortment hot coffees. And of course, only my friends from South Jersey understand the magical feeling you feel when you go on a Wawa run.
Hoagies
When I asked someone at school if they had hoagies around campus anywhere, they looked at me like I had two heads. Only South Jersey natives understand the term. Hoagies (what they call "subs" in every other part of the country) are a staple of the South Jersey diet. You can often find amazing hoagies at Wawa!
Driving 10 m.p.h. over the limit is the actual limit.
Anyone from South Jersey knows that if you drive the speed limit, you are practically at snail speed. It doesn't matter what time of day it is or what day of the week it is: South Jersey drivers are ALWAYS in a rush to get from point A to point B. If you are driving through South Jersey, plan to stay in the right hand lane if you are going the speed limit, because that is 10 m.p.h. too slow!
Wooter and Bawstin vs. Water and Boston
One of the most biggest tell-alls of a South Jersey native is the way that we say things like water or Boston. In any other part of the country, people say "wahter" or "Bahstin". South Jersey natives tend to say it in a way that only South Jersey natives could: "wooter" or "Bawstin".
There are actually four Jerseys.
Anyone from South Jersey can tell you about how the state is separated. There are four pieces of the New Jersey puzzle. There is North Jersey, South Jersey, Central Jersey, and the Jersey Shore (which is 100 percent not at all like that stupid TV show).
The best produce is JERSEY FRESH.
Perhaps the greatest part of living in South Jersey is the access that we have to the farm fresh vegetables and fruits. Most people have to import from far away states like California or Florida, but here in South Jersey, we have access to the best produce in the country. If you find a Jersey Fresh sticker on your produce, you are lucky, because you are in possession of the best produce.
The gem that is Johnson's Popcorn.
The Ocean City Boardwalk is a trademark of the South Jersey shore. When you are on the boardwalk, you HAVE to eat some Johnson's Popcorn. Johnson's makes the best kettle-corn that you will ever taste, and is only found in New Jersey!
The Full Service Gas Station
Perhaps the most obvious trademark of the New Jersey life is the full service gas station. In any other state in the country, you have to pump your own gas. In New Jersey, we have people that pump it for you. Pumping gas is a common job in New Jersey.
THE BOSS
One of the greatest musicians of all time hails from New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen (a.k.a. The Boss) is extremely well known in South Jersey. You can catch South Jersey natives flocking to his shows any time that The Boss is in the area!
The Diner
Diners are one of the trademarks of any South Jersey town. In South Jersey, diners are not just for truck drivers. It doesn't matter how greasy the food is: South Jersey natives flock to diners at any given day of the week.
