1. You might refer to yourself as a "s'local"
A catchy combination of either "summer" or "seasonal" combined with the word "local"—enough to sound cool, but not too much to piss off the actual, year-round locals.
2. The day of the week is determined by which bar you will be attending that night.
Everyone knows Monday is Fager's, Tuesday is Macky's, Wednesday is Fishtales, and so on...
3. Your money is in wads of cash.
Most seasonal locals make their living off of tips, which leaves your visiting family and friends questioning your occupation when you whip out a fat stack of ones from your wallet.
4. Holidays are a myth.
Forget having off for Memorial Day Weekend, Father's Day, and Fourth of July. These days are the busiest times of the season, and most s'locals will be working doubles 'round the clock.
5. You can successfully make an entire month's worth of rent in a single weekend...and spend it just as fast.
Although, it's quite standard to make a ton of money in OC, it is very rarely put away and saved (sorry, Mom and Dad). There are more crucial and immediate things to spend money on, like that 3 a.m. meal at Fat Daddy's for a $9 pizza cheesesteak.
6. Any day time off is spent at the beach.
If you are so lucky as to have off during the day, every ounce of it will be spent at the beach, whether it is just an hour from 9 to 10 a.m. or all day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., you wouldn't be caught dead anywhere else (unless you live downtown, then happy hour at Coconuts and the pool at Riptides are also very viable options).
7. The boardwalk is a dreaded place.
Especially during senior week (more like month). Those who inhabit the boardwalk seem to be a species of their own; however, this doesn't stop s'locals from venturing out with the occasional visitors for a trip to Brass Balls, Hammerhead's, or Dumser's.
8. You have a love/hate relationship with tourists
Even though, they may crowd the beach and walk too slowly on the sidewalk, it is often tourists who tip best.
9. You understand that there is no greater pain than dragging yourself to work on a gorgeous summer day.
With the ocean waves lapping in front of you and the boats sailing across the bay behind you, the last thing you want to do is go into the dark, way-too-air-conditioned workplace.
10. It doesn't rain for a day; it rains for a week.
As the old saying goes, "when it rains, it pours, and for an entire week" ...or something like that. But, during the occasional storm, the neighbors kayaking or inner tubing down the street can provide some great entertainment.
11. If your house has a washer/dryer, you are of the highest class.
And you will most likely be exploited by your friends down the street who rely on unsuspecting hotels and people like you to save them from the questionable laundromats.
12. Macky's theme nights are stressful (but worth it).
Running around last minute on any given Tuesday evening looking for a tourist/circus/pajama/etc. outfit is quite the hassle, but the $1.50 Natty's and $4 bombs keep us coming back.
13. Coastal Highway literally feels like the "Highway to Hell."
Whether you're stuck at a red light for what seems like an eternity, getting cut off by a giant bus full of senior weekers, or driving to your doom (AKA work), the highway is miserable. Walking or biking are the much preferred methods of travel in OC.
14. The dream to escape to the beach was a short-lived one.
Shortly after moving in after finals, it became evident that your plan to avoid unwanted acquaintances was not going to play out how you imagined. Within the first week you probably ran into an ex or two, your entire organic chemistry class, and if you go to Salisbury, half the freakin' university.
15. You've turned into a full-blown beach bum.
Your wardrobe most likely consists of comfy, breathable, and probably way-too-casual clothes, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with staying in a bathing suit until 8 p.m.
16. Everything you own is sandy.
Despite however many showers you take, you are always covered in sand. Always. Forget chewing your food without any grit. Forget unscathed flip-flops. Forget it. The sand will definitely follow you on your visits back home and back to school in the fall.
17. You're killin' the 'Gram game.
Being that you're at the beach 24/7, your Instagram is filled with beautiful bayside sunsets, tanned skin, and, of course, zillions of likes.
18. There is a constant supply of sunscreen everywhere.
Whether it's in your backpack, purse, or pocket, you always carry some form of sunblock. Forget mace, you have sunscreen. Need chapstick? Mine's got SPF 50. It's quite handy, really.
19. Life moves at a considerably slower pace than the rest of the world.
Beach time is the best time. 'Nuff said.
20. There is nowhere else you can imagine spending your summer.
There is nothing quite like a beach community, with its quirks and eccentricities. What more could someone ask for than a summer filled with endless days at the beach, great food, good times, and the best of friends to share it with.
