I can bet half of you reading this are fellow Jerseyans who are getting equally as riled up about all the stereotypes that get tossed at us for living in the best state around, and I bet the other half of you reading this are the out-of-staters who want to see just how many of these stereotypes you’ve heard about our lovely state before. Regardless of which category you fall under, take a read and see 11 ways you can tell you’re from Jersey (and also why NJ is truly the best)!
1. You get heated in the debate over whether it’s Taylor ham or pork roll.
Just look at that yummy sandwich. Either way it’s delicious, so it doesn’t really matter. (Read: It does matter. It’s Taylor ham. Pork roll does not exist.)
2. You adamantly refuse to accept the existence of “Central Jersey”...unless you’re from “Central Jersey.”
North and South Jersey may be two virtually different states, but there is one thing we absolutely agree on: Central Jersey does not and will never exist. The only people who claim it does are those who live in this imagined place.
3. People constantly ask you if you say “Joisey” and what exit you’re off of.
This one really gets me every time – when I tell you I’m from New JERSEY and I don’t ever say the word Joisey in a phrase, it is beyond me that people ask if that’s how I pronounce Jersey. Also, when did this whole “what exit are you” become a thing? I’ve never known my exit or if I even have one...
4. You refer to going to the beach as “going down the shore.”
Going down the shore and going to the beach are not interchangeable. There’s a difference for us in Jersey.
5. The diners. ‘Nuff said. Whenever you’re hungry, there’s always at least one nearby.
24 hour diners galore – they’re some of the best places to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks. Not gonna lie, I have absolutely gone to the diner multiple times in one day before.
6. You come home from school and don’t have to pump your own gas anymore.
Before going to school in New York I had never pumped my own gas. Let me tell you, it was quite an experience doing that on my own for the first time. The less appreciated but equally entertaining thing is when non-Jerseyans try to pump their own gas in the good ol’ garden state.
7. If you panic on the dance floor, you’ll jokingly break out the fist pump.
I don’t know whether it’s something in the water we drink or that we were conditioned after each and every one of us secretly watched Jersey Shore (don’t lie, you know that deep down you couldn’t help but watch the Jersey Shore shenanigans). No joke though, go to any club or party and you’ll see at least one serious and one half-joking half-this-is-all-I-know fist pump.
8. You’ve heard the age-old “do you know Snooki?!” question more times than you can count.
Okay this goes for Snooki, Ronnie, the Situation, Sammy, JWoww, Pauly D, or whoever else. No. Just because we all live here does not mean we see the Jersey Shore cast, and more importantly they’re not even from Jersey.
9. It’s not frowned upon anymore to drive exclusively in the “passing only” lane.
Yeah, yeah. We get it – Jersey drivers are the worst drivers. Everyone is just jealous they can’t keep up with us (...maybe).
10. You return home to hands down THE best bagels and pizza you’ll ever eat (sorry NY, we’re better).
This one is just irrefutable. The only people who try and deny Jersey the title of the home of the best pizza and bagels are those who have never been graced with the deliciousness of a Jersey bagel or Jersey pizza. Note to those: you’re missing out and should change that ASAP – you can thank me later.
11. Without fail, you’ll always take the chance to defend your home state against all the haters.
Jersey may suck sometimes, but what state doesn’t? The Dirty Jerz really can only be made fun of by those in it; everyone else needs to stick to their own state. We’ve heard all the stereotypes more than once, but it doesn’t stop us from loving our home state!
