Likes/Dislikes About NJ People (Montclair: bus, best, phone)

[njmike]

As much as NJ means to me, the 2 things I don't miss are hearing some people saying they're "ascared" and referring to Keansburg as "Kingsburg". Of course the Scrantonisms drive me to drink.

[JoeSo]

Originally Posted by njmike

Of course the Scrantonisms drive me to drink.

It's ok...it's legal up there

[njmike]

I knew there was a reason I go out besides to socialize!!!!

[Audrey Ann]

Originally Posted by cyntmac

Some of your post is laughable. Sorry.
I came from a part of the state where people don't compare themselves to NYC and don't have a complex or low self esteem because of it. Bergen county may be a different story but it is not everyone's dream to live in NYC even there. People often leave the area and go really far away. People wish they could live in Florida? Many of them do go but it's not like Florida is the promised land. You can live on very little there compared to Bergen. The overblown pretense is ugly no matter where. I also lived in NYC for years and there is no excuse for aholes.

There is just as much corruption in NY and the equity issue is not an NJ thing. That happens in many places.
You also have this strange idea that people are taking pride in liberalness. Give me a break. Most can see beyond that even if they are left leaning. That comment was truly idiotic. One of the most absurd I have seen in months.

As far as sprawl and chains- I hate that also. I don't really agree on the social backwardness except in certain communities but compared to most of the rest of the U.S- actually better. I also don't consider Bergen County to be slow paced. You have no perspective.

I've been trying to get thru these threads ... I'm just 30 minutes outside NYC. In fact, I can see the skyline from a high point in my town. Some of these posts sent me reeling with laughter (not in a mocking way at all). Some definitely hit the nail on the head of this Jersey girl!

But this response was great! I agree with you.

Each state has its good and its bad qualities.

[njmike]

Originally Posted by Audrey Ann

I've been trying to get thru these threads ... I'm just 30 minutes outside NYC. In fact, I can see the skyline from a high point in my town. Some of these posts sent me reeling with laughter (not in a mocking way at all). Some definitely hit the nail on the head of this Jersey girl!

But this response was great! I agree with you.

Each state has its good and its bad qualities.

You're right on this. The thing is most people are loyal to where they've grown up and compare everything to that.

[FiftyFiftyAboutCO]

I haven't been on here in ages, but city.data sends me reminders to that effect now and then. Since I left Jersey almost 43 years ago, I can't keep up with all the local-isms you guys discuss, but just wanted to say I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving and Christmas season back there.

In Jersey when I was a kid (1946-1966), we had lots of relatives around all the time. We lived in the country (Milton), and all the town people would come to our house in the summer. But when the winter holidays came, we always ended up in Dover at my aunt and uncle's for a big feast. I'm Italian on my Dad's side, so we had TWO feasts on each holiday. That is, my aunt started with the main course -- usually lasagna or her homemade pasta and meatballs. Then, and only then, was the turkey put out along with all the fixins', but who was hungry after the lasagna?! Forget it. I still have to have spaghetti and red wine on holidays cause that's what Italians do. My other side is Polish, but their food can't compete with good Italian stuff.

So now I live with my two shelties, who are my family now. Almost all the relatives are gone, including my folks. Gone are the big family feast days. I don't like to cook much, so yesterday I went to my local grocery store and got a nice cooked tray of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, then bought the rest of the fixins. Maybe for Christmas I'll get brave and make my aunt's lasagna -- it's not difficult, just a lot of work. And as I eat and put on another couple lbs., I'll be thinking of my happy childhood days in Jersey. But......seeing as how that's all over, I'm very happy to be living out here in the West now. You've all heard the saying "You can never go home again." It's true. I recently came to know that they tore down my childhood home on Berkshire Valley Road in Milton. They're building "Mc-Mansions" for the rich people on those once-pristine acres (14) where I lived for 19 years and my parents for 30. That great life we had up there exists only in my memory, and thank God for that or we'd all be empty shells.

Happy Thanksgiving you guys, especially to NJ Mike in Scranton, and I hope this recession isn't hurting any of you too much. At least the gas prices have come down.

[njmike]

Originally Posted by FiftyFiftyAboutCO

I haven't been on here in ages, but city.data sends me reminders to that effect now and then. Since I left Jersey almost 43 years ago, I can't keep up with all the local-isms you guys discuss, but just wanted to say I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving and Christmas season back there.

In Jersey when I was a kid (1946-1966), we had lots of relatives around all the time. We lived in the country (Milton), and all the town people would come to our house in the summer. But when the winter holidays came, we always ended up in Dover at my aunt and uncle's for a big feast. I'm Italian on my Dad's side, so we had TWO feasts on each holiday. That is, my aunt started with the main course -- usually lasagna or her homemade pasta and meatballs. Then, and only then, was the turkey put out along with all the fixins', but who was hungry after the lasagna?! Forget it. I still have to have spaghetti and red wine on holidays cause that's what Italians do. My other side is Polish, but their food can't compete with good Italian stuff.

So now I live with my two shelties, who are my family now. Almost all the relatives are gone, including my folks. Gone are the big family feast days. I don't like to cook much, so yesterday I went to my local grocery store and got a nice cooked tray of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, then bought the rest of the fixins. Maybe for Christmas I'll get brave and make my aunt's lasagna -- it's not difficult, just a lot of work. And as I eat and put on another couple lbs., I'll be thinking of my happy childhood days in Jersey. But......seeing as how that's all over, I'm very happy to be living out here in the West now. You've all heard the saying "You can never go home again." It's true. I recently came to know that they tore down my childhood home on Berkshire Valley Road in Milton. They're building "Mc-Mansions" for the rich people on those once-pristine acres (14) where I lived for 19 years and my parents for 30. That great life we had up there exists only in my memory, and thank God for that or we'd all be empty shells.

Happy Thanksgiving you guys, especially to NJ Mike in Scranton, and I hope this recession isn't hurting any of you too much. At least the gas prices have come down.

I'm half Irish and half Polish and grew up in Italian neighborhoods in Newark and Jersy City and have to agree with you that nothing beats Italian food, especially a home made meal.

[Audrey Ann]

Originally Posted by FiftyFiftyAboutCO

I haven't been on here in ages, but city.data sends me reminders to that effect now and then. Since I left Jersey almost 43 years ago, I can't keep up with all the local-isms you guys discuss, but just wanted to say I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving and Christmas season back there.

In Jersey when I was a kid (1946-1966), we had lots of relatives around all the time. We lived in the country (Milton), and all the town people would come to our house in the summer. But when the winter holidays came, we always ended up in Dover at my aunt and uncle's for a big feast. I'm Italian on my Dad's side, so we had TWO feasts on each holiday. That is, my aunt started with the main course -- usually lasagna or her homemade pasta and meatballs. Then, and only then, was the turkey put out along with all the fixins', but who was hungry after the lasagna?! Forget it. I still have to have spaghetti and red wine on holidays cause that's what Italians do. My other side is Polish, but their food can't compete with good Italian stuff.

So now I live with my two shelties, who are my family now. Almost all the relatives are gone, including my folks. Gone are the big family feast days. I don't like to cook much, so yesterday I went to my local grocery store and got a nice cooked tray of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, then bought the rest of the fixins. Maybe for Christmas I'll get brave and make my aunt's lasagna -- it's not difficult, just a lot of work. And as I eat and put on another couple lbs., I'll be thinking of my happy childhood days in Jersey. But......seeing as how that's all over, I'm very happy to be living out here in the West now. You've all heard the saying "You can never go home again." It's true. I recently came to know that they tore down my childhood home on Berkshire Valley Road in Milton. They're building "Mc-Mansions" for the rich people on those once-pristine acres (14) where I lived for 19 years and my parents for 30. That great life we had up there exists only in my memory, and thank God for that or we'd all be empty shells.

Happy Thanksgiving you guys, especially to NJ Mike in Scranton, and I hope this recession isn't hurting any of you too much. At least the gas prices have come down.

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well - glad to hear you will be feasting! What a lovely post. You caused a tear to form, but in a good nostalgic way.

My grandmother was Italian - one of 16! and our holidays consisted of all you described ... and then some. I am one of six children with a large extended family ... can't get away from 'em! And wouldn't want to. Well, last year we were in Chile at Thanksgiving. There will be about 30 of us tomorrow in one house up in Vernon ... thankfully it is just large enough. Phew!

Oh! And make the lasagna and report back as to how it turned out!

[njmike]

Originally Posted by Audrey Ann

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well - glad to hear you will be feasting! What a lovely post. You caused a tear to form, but in a good nostalgic way.

My grandmother was Italian - one of 16! and our holidays consisted of all you described ... and then some. I am one of six children with a large extended family ... can't get away from 'em! And wouldn't want to. Well, last year we were in Chile at Thanksgiving. There will be about 30 of us tomorrow in one house up in Vernon ... thankfully it is just large enough. Phew!

Oh! And make the lasagna and report back as to how it turned out!

If given the choice, I'd take the lasagna and most forms of Pasta for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For some reason my stomach can't handle food on New Year's Day. Every one have a great Thanksgiving.

[Audrey Ann]

Carbs, carbs and more carbs! I can feel my sugar levels rising! Curses!