At home, I'm never told that I talk weird or that I have an accent. As soon as I started college in West Virginia, I was questioned every time I spoke to someone new. "Where are you from? Your accent is strange."

1. "Oh, so you party like you're on 'Jersey Shore'?"

I have never seen "Jersey Shore", but as soon as anyone finds out that I'm "the girl from Jersey", that's the first thing they ask. No, we don't all pump our fists and I definitely do not call myself a "guidette". "Jersey Shore" is just a stereotype.

2. "How close is that to New York?"

Not too many people know anything about the geography of Jersey. Even fewer people know anything about South Jersey. People always respond with the same thing when I mention South Jersey. It's always "I've been to New York City. Is that close?" Yes... And no.

3. Domino's Pizza is considered "good" pizza

In Jersey, there's a pizza place at least every two or three miles... No, not Domino's or Papa John's. REAL pizza places. Hand tossed, crispy crust, homemade sauces. If you've ever eaten pizza from a pizzeria, Domino's would never be your first choice when you order out.

4. Biscuits and gravy is a meal

Biscuits and gravy is a MEAL? Yes. I was so shocked when I heard this. I never knew what anyone meant. When someone asked me if I'd ever had biscuits and gravy, I thought they meant buttered Pillsbury dinner biscuits with chicken gravy as a topping.

5. "Why are you an Eagles fan? Shouldn't you like the Giants?"

When you're from South Jersey, it's just an instinct to be a fan of every Philadelphia sports team. There's not much to know besides the fact that you are always a Philly fan. Enough said.

6. Getting told every day that you talk "funny"

Water = wooder. Orange = ahrange. Coffee = cawfee. Hot dog = hat dawg. Jersey = Jerzee. You = yew. During Greek Life's recruitment week, we have to speak to tons of new people. The question "Where are you from?" came up as soon as I uttered my first sentence. My response was always, "South Jersey. I talk weird to you, I know." My friends always make me say words just for giggles.

7. It's called a hoagie... Not a sub

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I don't think I have to explain this one. Whatever Wawa says goes.

8. No one knows what pork roll is

Pork roll. It's that one meat that you don't know exactly what it is. But it's pork-based processed meat that tastes like heaven on earth. Pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches are the bomb.com and you haven't lived until you've had one. We live off of pork roll breakfast sandwiches religiously. 10/10, would recommend.

9. No one understands that Central Jersey doesn't exist

There's only North and South. However, no one really cares about North Jersey. The two are so different that they're basically their own states. There are only two things people from North Jersey and South Jersey people can agree on: stay out of the left lane if you're driving the speed limit and Central Jersey is a figment of your imagination.

10. The assumption that everyone in Jersey is Italian

Thanks to "Jersey Shore", we have yet another stereotype. I think it's funny, though, because the majority of people that I know from Jersey are, in fact, Italian. But we're not all the "Godfather" and "mafia" type of Italian. We love our pizza and pasta. What's wrong with a total carb-o-load?

11. You have to learn how to pump your own gas

Yes. We are, in fact, the only state left that does not pump our own gas. One time, I was sitting in chemistry class. It was a Friday before heading home for the first time, when my roommate asked, "How do you pump gas?". The entire room turned and fixed their eyes on me as if I had just cussed up a storm. YES!!! WE HAVE SOMEONE DO IT FOR US!!

Being a New Jersey native has its pros and cons. Once I moved from Jersey to West Virginia, it was a total culture shock. It taught me how different I was compared to a lot of people. We talk funny, we're crude, we drive faster than the rest of the nation, and we love our carbs. I'm a Jersey girl and I'm proud to be from the Armpit of America.