1. Referring to Manhattan as “The City”

Who even says “New York City” anymore?

2. Frequent Rocky’s Trips

If you’re from Westchester and you don’t know what this is….I don’t want to be associated with you.

3. You and your squad hang out at the Galleria Mall frequently

This was our version of the tree house. Drama would always happen here. Plus there’s no way you can go a day without seeing someone you know.

4. Making a face when people think White Plains is part of New York City

Honey….

5. Everyone refers to Westchester as “upstate” when it’s just 30 minutes outside of the Bronx

For those who don’t know, Westchester is literally the next county over.

6. When other counties call you “boujee.”

Manhattan itself is way overpriced and more expensive in Westchester, you must be joking.

7. You started school in September and ended in June

I always thought all schools were like this…until I started going to college.

8. Watching News 12 to see if you or anyone you know is on TV

I can’t even count how many times I would see a familiar area or someone I knew getting interviewed and screaming “YASSSSSSSS JASONNNNNN!!!”

9. Going to a small school all your life

Believe it or not, in my middle school, my graduating class was 22 students. No, that wasn’t a typo.

10. You know someone who has switched to a catholic or private school.

75% of my middle school population transferred to Maria Regina, Ursuline, Stepinac, or Iona.

11. Having parties at Sportstime or the Skating Accademy

If you didn’t have one or go to one of these, was your birthday even fun?

12. Being too broke for the Westchester Mall

This is why I said the Galleria Mall was the Treehouse.

13. REAL PIZZA

Is this really an argument?

14. “Baconeggandcheese”….yes it’s pretty much ONE word in NY.

Still waiting for the dictionary to update because in NY it really is one word. All of the corner stores and bodegas make amazing sandwiches.

15. Sweet 16s and Bat Mitzvahs were basically million dollar weddings

Everyone in my school would compete with each other for the title of “most expensive party.” Not surprised if someone got theirs filmed by MTV.

16. Too many Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

I’m pretty sure I got invited to plenty in my lifetime. Either way I lost count.

17. That one kid who wants to be a rapper and always brags about being from the hood when he was raised in Briarcliff Manor

I can’t express how many times these guys rap about their struggles when they got a Mercedes Benz as their first car.

18. Having 914 in your Instagram Bio

Everyone put it in their Bio at least once

19. Taking the expensive Metro North with the squad every time you go into the city

I thought $17.50 was cheap until I started going to college.

20. No matter how much you complain or try to leave Westchester, you end up coming back because it will always be your home.

As a college student, it feels good to finally come back to Westchester and it feels like I never left.