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As far as I'm concerned, part of being from New Jersey is being able to acknowledge what the rest of the country says about us and shrug it off. News to the other 49: your crap doesn't smell like roses either.
It's one thing to make fun of New Jersey and its stereotypes, but when you begin to actually take them seriously...well, your loss.
I hate NJ because of its socialism (high taxes, too much regulation, etc), but the proximity to major urban areas so far makes up for it. It's a good place to be a consultant, but an awful place to retire. Of course by that time I hope to position myself for an opportunity to own something that can float in international waters...
1. What's wrong with "they don't pump their own gas"? I enjoy it! It's not because we are obnoxious, it's because it's the law. Come to NJ and enjoy not getting your hand dirty, stay warm in your car, and be able to watch your kid the whole time while filling up. 2. Depends on where you are. NJ smell much better than Staten Island, NY which many people mistakenly think is part of NJ. 3. People here are not the rudest I've encountered in this country. As a matter of fact, folks around the Jersey shore have this easy going attitude and are quite friendly, even to a non-white foreigner like me.4. The worst drivers I've encountered in NJ are those Lexus and Mercedes SUV who think they own the road and cut you (and even make u-turn) wherever they want. Elitists stink.
Living here has its pros and cons. It is very crowded in the urban/suburban areas, high taxes, high cost of living, big government, and a very fast paced lifestyle that isnt for everybody.
However New Jersey has some of the best jobs, schools, healthcare, etc. in the entire country (although this can vary considerably depending on which areas of the state). There is tons of culture and entertainment in the suburban areas.
Now to get to the stereotypes...
1. No we do not pump our own gas. Its technically illegal.
2. Most people come up with the "new jersey stinks" line because the only time they have ever seen nj is driving on the turnpike which runs through a heavily industrial section of the state. You'll pass alot of refineries and chemical plants and stuff. But yet they neglect to mention things like the garden state parkway which passes through the south jersey pine barrens, which is the largest natural land area in the mid-atlantic region with over 1 million aces of preserved forest.
3. Some new jerseyans are definately rude, I wont dispute that. But the majority are friendly.
4. Us NJ people think its the opposite, people from other states cant drive. Its because the roads here are very crowded and hectic so you have to learn to drive assertively.
Lol in my opinon NJ is one of the better states especially considering what it does for a state of such as a small size. NJ consistently ranks in top 3 richest states, ranks highly in the most educated states, ranks as one of the safest states and more. So everyone that says "Ew nj is awful" chances are NJ ranks statistically much better than your state.
1. Jersians don't pump their own gas because it is the law, why is that a reason to hate us? I'm pretty sure there is at least one other state that does that and no one complains about them.
2. Lol NJ definitley doesn't stink once you get out of the nasty parts of Northeast Jersey. I'm sorry our highways that connect to a NYC, a city with 8.3 million people, don't smell like roses but that is what happens when you have millions of people driving in one area. This nasty area probally accounts for 5 to 10% of NJ the rest being beaches, nice suburbs, small cities, and farmland.
3. NJ has a density of 1,000 people per sq mile, the most densley populated state by far of course we aren't going to be as polite as people living in Wyoming where their neighbors live like 10 miles a day. Most people in NJ are nice but the rude a-hole ones are probablly more noticable because it is such a small state.
4. Lol "they cannot drive"? I've heard that about NY, FL, CA, PA, IL, etc. so I think that is just something people say when they don't like a state. When you don't like something you try to find a negative in every little thing and I think this is one of them. Atleast Jersians have experience driving on highways and major cities and can cope with the ice and rain. Here in FL if it it snowed you would have a 10 car pile up on a highway because people wouldn't know how to deal with it.
I lived in NJ for my first 15 years and even though I moved to Florida it is very much a part of me still.
I've gotten to the point that I ignore any of the ridiculously negative comments. If it's simple misinformation, I will correct it if it's not common sense and the person should know better to begin with. If it is, I ignore that as well.
People just love to egg others on and I refuse to give in to it. I guess they have nothing better to do with their lives than to beat down on others. Sorry, as for me, I have better things to do.
We must be doing something right 8 million people live here. Maybe they got lost and stayed. Have a nice day.
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