In the beginning of May, traffic on the parkway and all major roads begins to increase dramatically. The "summer only" stores in local summer towns reopen, and the neighbors you only have on the weekends finally return. The Jersey Shore is a haven for vacationers from all over, however some people call it home.

1. It’s the beach, not the shore.

2. It’s not a beach house, it’s home.

3. You don’t travel back to “the shore” on weekends.

4. You understand there is no such thing as “shoobies”: you are either a local or you are not.

5. One of the first things you did when you turned sixteen was get your lifeguard certification.

6. PEC on a bagel is your hangover cure.

7. The happiest day of the year is when your favorite Italian Ice place reopens for the summer.

8. You never pay for the beach because you always have a friend working as a badge checker.

9. You don’t look for parking, you ride your bike there.

10. You just expect the pizza to be good, instead of hoping it’s good.

11. You watch the sunrise at least once a summer.

12. You have a boat and if you don’t, a family member or a best friend does.

13. Everyone either has a pool or lives a block from the beach.

14. Secretly love the smell of low tide.

15. Have your favorite bagel place and go there at least once a week.

16. Only run on the beach or the boardwalk.

17. ... but you never go to the boardwalk on the weekends.

18. You know what a Benny is.

19. You do one or more of the following: swim, surf, or fish.

20. When you were little you worked at: the beach, a small local shop, or as a swim instructor.

21. When you have to go back to college, part of you cries knowing that the beach won’t be a bike ride away.

22. You know everyone in town and what car they drive, so you know who doesn’t belong.

23. You see a New York or Pennsylvania license plate and get mad that they don’t get how they are supposed to drive while in New Jersey.

24. However, you are secretly happy the tourists are back because they help your hometown’s economy.

25. …plus you probably go to school in New York or Pennsylvania, so you can’t make fun of them that much.

26. You grew up so close with your neighbors that the children of the family know your garage code and help themselves in.

27. …and the majority of your friends know it, too.

28. You still see people you went to preschool with because no one ever moves away.

29. You have never worn the sneakers to the beach, aside from running.

30. Although you might make fun of NJ, you are so proud to live where you do.

31. You have seen Bruce Springsteen at least once.

32. When you get off your parkway exit coming home from a long day at work, it is always backed up. Your typical 15-minute drive just became 40 minutes.

33. Your house is never filled with just your family, there are always ten extra friends there, too.

34. You couldn’t picture yourself ever moving away from the beach, and you question how you'll get through college without seeing it everyday.

35. You own half of Vineyard Vines and/or Lilly Pulitzer.

36. You probably have a shell or a bottle of sand somewhere in your house.

37. You own a beach bike, not a mountain bike.

38. You only vacation in places that have a beach.

39. You hate the West Coast due to their cold water and seaweed, but you love their waves for surfing more than anything.

40. You have entered, or have known someone who has entered, a fishing and/or surfing competition at some point in your life.

41. You love the smell of low tide secretly.

42. Fourth of July is your personal favorite holiday because everyone wants to visit that particular weekend.

43. You show up everyone you swim against who is not from the "Jersey Shore."

44. When you grow up you either want to live at the beach in NJ, California, or Florida.

45. You're an aggressive driver.

46. Almost all of your friends are Giants/Yankees fans.

47. All of your friends end up blonde or semi-blonde by the time summer ends, regardless of their original hair color.

49. Central Jersey is a thing, why don't you people get it? Ever heard of Point Pleasant?!

50. You wouldn't change your hometown for anything.