We New Jerseyans don't realize just how unique Jersey is until we leave. We don't understand how much we'll miss certain things because we don't understand how other states could perform so lowly on such simple tasks and places. Let's take a walk through all of the things we don't realize about the armpit of America until we leave.
1. No one else rocked the Snooki poof.
Whether ours were as big as Snooki's or just a tad smaller, we all propped our hair up during those (terrible) middle school days.
2. And on that note, people actually think "Jersey Shore" is an accurate representation of what Jersey is like.
No, we aren't all meathead, tanned guidos with bad tempers who scream, "CABS ARE HERE."
3. Wawa is not a norm.
In the words of my roommate, "What's a Wawa?" No one else is as privileged as we are to have the best 24-hour convenience store that provides us with unconditional love and hoagies (not subs).
4. Diners are not on every corner.
Trying to find a diner is a struggle that out of staters do not understand.
5. Nothing beats the pizza (except New York).
What does Jersey pizza and other state's pizza have in common? Absolutely nothing.
6. How big Jersey actually is.
You could be speaking to someone from Jersey and have never heard of their town before or even know where it is.
7. Pumping your own gas is really a thing.
Yes, we really don't pump our own gas. Remember, we're too busy being meathead, tanned guidos with bad tempers who scream "cabs are here" and Jersey fist pumping.
8. Other states drive slow, walk slow, talk slow—everything is slower.
You have to learn to speak slower or repeat yourself 100 times, your choice. Also, road rage gets a little bit worse than it already was.
9. People are nicer.
Southern hospitality? Try every state other than Jersey hospitality. You have to get used to talking to your cashier or really making conversation with your waiters.
11. You have to learn how to live without bagels.
Your mouth is probably watering just looking at that picture. No one can beat Jersey bagels—there's just something special about them.
12. Being told you have an accent.
We don't have accents, everyone else does. But we're from Jersey, and no one likes us, so we automatically take the hit with whoever we're speaking to and end up being the one that has the accent.
13. No one beats our shores.
Our shores and boardwalks are the best. For all the non-New Jerseyans reading this: I'm referring to our beaches.
Dirty Jerz isn't just where I'm from, it's a part of who I am.