There is no other state like New Jersey. No other state has a combination of big cities, a major mountain range, 130 miles of beaches, more than 10,000 farms, historical landmarks and cultural centers – all within a two hour radius.
No other state seems to have as many reality shows based in it than New Jersey. As a result, no other state is as misunderstood as New Jersey. For example, New Jersey has a reputation for congested roads, yet it has more horses than Kentucky, 730,000 acres of farmland, and the world’s longest boardwalk in Atlantic City.
It’s a place that you can only understand and truly appreciate if you live there. Here are 24 tell-tale signs that you’re from New Jersey (and that you’re proud of it):
- You live within one hour of beaches, mountains, farms, a major city and at least three malls.
- You know New York City looks better from New Jersey.
- You eat pork roll, not Taylor ham.
- You ask, “What exit?” instead of, “Where do you live?”
- You’ve had coffee from Wawa.
- You go to Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
- You don’t go to the shore. You go down the shore – unless you’re from the Jersey Shore. Then you go to the beach.
- You know the difference between boardwalk pizza and every other pizza on the planet.
- You’ve eaten at a minimum of 20 diners, and at least three of them have shiny metal exteriors.
- You know the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey and you’ve climbed to the top.
- You get mad whenever you watch a sporting event from MetLife Stadium and the announcer says, “Welcome to New York!”
- You know New Jersey’s nickname, the Garden State, is appropriate and not a practical joke.
- You get offered free rooms at most Atlantic City casinos.
- You know what jug handles are. And you hate them.
- You know how to properly make your way through a circle. And you hate them even more.
- You know the previous two statements involve driving, but you wish they didn’t.
- You despise any driver behind the wheel of a car that doesn’t have New Jersey license plates.
- You know most of the people in the TV show “Jersey Shore” are not from the Jersey Shore.
- You know where a Piney lives. And you don’t go there – unless you’re a fellow Piney.
- You know what the Jersey Devil looks like even though you’ve never seen it, and you know where it lives. (Hint: Next door to a Piney)
- You’ve been to at least two of the places shown during the opening theme of “The Sopranos.”
- You’ve been to at least one Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi concert, and you know somebody who has met Bruce or Jon.
- You don’t know how to pump gas. But you complain when someone doesn’t pump fast enough.
- You’ve never said “Joisey.” Ever.