You might be from New Jersey if…

  • you’ve been seriously injured at Action Park.
  • you know that the only people who call it “Joisey” are from New York(usually The Bronx)or Texas.
  • you don’t think of citrus when people mention “The Oranges.”
  • you know that it’s called “Great Adventure,” not “Six Flags.”
  • you’ve ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast.
  • you’ve known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
  • you’ve eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am.
  • whenever you park, there’s a Camaro within three spots of you.
  • you remember that the “Two Guys” were from Harrison.
  • you know that the state isn’t one big oil refinery.
  • at least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
  • you know what a “jug handle” is.
  • you know that a WaWa is a convenience store.
  • you know that the state isn’t all farmland.
  • you know that it isnt “The Beach” in New Jersey – it’s the shore, and you know that the road to the shore is “The Parkway” not “The Garden State Highway.”
  • you know that “Piney” isn’t referring to a tree.
  • even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a “sub” not a “submarine sandwich” or worse yet, a “hoagie” or a “hero.”
  • you remember the song from the Palisades Park commercials.
  • you know how to properly negotiate a Circle.
  • you knew that the last question had to do with driving.
  • you know that “Acme” is an actual store, not just a Warner Bros. creation.
  • you know that this is the only “New…” state that doesn’t require “New” to identify it (like, try …Mexico, …York, …Hampshire (doesn’t work, does it?).
  • you only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it “The City.”
  • you consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege.
  • in the 80’s you wore your hair REALLY high. (wait, didn’t everybody??)
  • you don’t think “What exit” (do you live near?) is very funny.
  • you know that the real first “strip shopping center” in the country is Route 22.
  • you know that people from 609 area code are “a little different.”
  • you know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton – that’s for out-of-staters.
  • the Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
  • you live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
  • you can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town.
  • you refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
  • every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony.
  • you know where every “clip” shown in the Sopranos opening credits is.
  • you’ve gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall.
  • you’ve eaten a Boardwalk cheesesteak with vinegar fries.
  • you have a favorite Atlantic City casino.
  • you start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
  • you’ve never pumped your own gas.  (Chris) Took me forever to get this one…
  • you know how to navigate a circle while talking on a cell phone and smoking a Marlboro w/o using blinkers. (Mandie)
  • every 3 miles you drive there is a deserted mall.
  • most really nice homes have a gas station and a junk yard next door to them.
  • you never tell the truth about what state you’re from when strangers ask you in a chatroom.
  • most of your cash is in dimes and quarters.
  • even after moving to California, you still carry a separate change purse full of quarters and dimes for tolls. (Diane)
  • you learned to drive by backing out of your driveway onto a 50 MPH road. (visitor submission)
  • you have the shop install lumps and dents into your fenders so others will know that you have the strength in convinction to change lanes. (visitor submission)
  • you take kick-boxing lessons hoping someone will tell you the two weeks in
    New Jersey prize joke. (visitor submission)
  • you know where highway 9 is from that Bruce Springsteen song.
  • you have ever shopped at Wawa.