I came across Leo Heit’s list here https://wheninyourstate.com/new-jersey/12-reasons-why-people-in-new-jersey-are-built-different-than-the-rest-of-the-country/ and had a chuckle. So, I figured I’d comment and try to add to the whimsy.
Let’s go point by point, shall we?
- They Don’t Pump Their Own Gas—And They Like It That Way
You want to battle stiff joints during a long drive, feel empowered that you are actually involved with caring for your vehicle; hey, that’s your business. In NJ, we do not pump, do not want to, nor feel we ever should. End of discussion.
- They Treat Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll Like a Civil War
A battle that shall rage until the end of time…as it damn well should.
- They Can Yell, Laugh, and Eat a Sub All at the Same Time
I’d say we could pretty much do anything all at the same time…and while driving.
- They Use the Parkway and Turnpike Like Arteries—Clogged, Expensive Arteries
I’m not sure about this one, save to say…our roads be what they be. Deal or don’t drive here. Sure, I complain about drivers in NJ, especially on what proves to be the worst road I travel regularly, 287. But really, what can I do about it?
- They Know You Don’t Go in the Ocean at Seaside Heights After Dark
Well, the way it seems this summer, you shouldn’t go anywhere near Seaside Heights at any time.
- They Can Smell a Bennie or Shoobie From a Mile Away
Having lived and will live in North NJ all my life, these are terms I am not familiar with. So, who cares about them?
- They’ve Mastered the Art of Driving 85 While Screaming at Siri and Eating Pizza
See #3.
- They Don’t Call It “Attitude”—They Call It “Having Standards”
I call it ‘tude. But yes, our standards are high, higher than any other states, because we are better.
- They Treat Diners Like Sacred Institutions
Because they are…or at least were when they were open 24 hours.
- They’re Born With an Internal Lie Detector for BS
If you live by the precept (which I do) that everything is pretty much BS these days, we NJersians are ahead of most in the game of life.
- They Know There’s North Jersey, South Jersey, and Whatever Trenton Is
And each region will tell you why the others are doing it wrong.
I left in Leo’s rule as well as its following description here since I agree wholeheartedly
- They’ve Got a Whole Personality Built Around Not Being From New York
Yes, there is a difference, and we live and die by it.
I have a friend/client who lives in GA. She is originally from here in the Northeast part of the US, so I feel she can make a pretty spot-on comparison of the two places. She said something to me that I feel truly reveals the NJ ‘tude when comparing the politeness she finds in the south with surely our well-worn and proudly displayed rudeness. She claims, and I agree, that in the south, people are polite but not kind, while in NJ, we are surely not polite, but we are indeed kind. As she said, in Georgia, she finds it’s all “Yes, Ma’am.” “Please let me get that chair for you, little lady.” Or as my friend Bob told me, when you make a point down south that a southerner completely disagrees with and furthermore think you are a fool for thinking, they throw out a “Bless your heart.” But there’s nothing much more behind these polite phrases or actions. In the north, and here in NJ especially (the only state I can speak for), we are so quick to tell you to…(insert word or phrase you like). But if we see some mom at the bottom step of a staircase trying to negotiate her stroller and child up the flight, we will pretty much pick up that stroller without a word, carry it up the stairs, place it on the landing and not stick around for a thank you or even a look back over our shoulder to acknowledge the act.
So, yes, give me NJ anytime.
