Long Island, often just Nassau and Suffolk counties, is home to some 2.8 million people and is the largest island in the contiguous United States. Despite its size and population, there are activities and traditions that bring Long Islanders together.
Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator
Every time that I return to the island, I am immediately reminded of these similarities that we share. Although there are plenty of difference between towns and people, there are some things that we all did as children and still do now that make us immediately gravitate toward someone when they say, "I'm from Long Island." Right after you determine what county and town they're from, I'm sure that one of the 28 signs listed below will come up in conversation soon thereafter.
1. Yes, you grew up on Long Island.
2. You spend your summers at Jones Beach.
3. You can’t wait until Ralph’s opens and you cry when it closes.
4. You went to more Sweet 16’s than you can count.
5. You rarely go into the city even though it’s a quick train ride away.
6. If you do go, it’s never for touristy stuff.
7. You always refer to Manhattan as “the city.”
8. You refer to driving eastward as “going out east.”
9. You dread the LIE and the Belt Parkway.
10. Your parents or grandparents were born in Brooklyn or Queens.
11. You’ve been on a field trip to Old Bethpage or Safety Town.
12. You can pronounce the weirdest town names.
13. You drive to Massapequa for All American Burger.
14. You’ve spent Saturdays and Sundays at Roosevelt Field Mall or the outlets out east.
15. Your local pizzeria is the best pizzeria.
16. You may have to go to Madison Square Garden or Barclays to see your favorite singer, but the best concerts happen at Jones Beach.
17. You love Z100’s music but hate the commercials.
18. You know a good diner and end up there often.
19. You’ve been to Adventureland or Splish Splash.
20. You think you don’t have an accent, but you know someone in your family does.
21. When you leave Long Island, you realize you do have an accent.
22. You know Long Island bagels are the best kind.
23. You avoid transferring at Jamaica at all costs.
24. You or someone you know went to a Catholic high school.
25. You never really have to parallel park.
26. You’re shocked when people fully stop at stop signs and yellow lights.
27. You understand the difference between 516 and 631.
28. You don’t realize how much you love Long Island until you leave.
