There’s no question that New Jerseyans have strong personalities, and we’re quick to defend our traditions. Whether it involves the correct pronunciation of “capicola” or our desire to toss TP over some trees in October, we’re all pretty confident that we’ve figured life out. Take a peek below at a few of our favorite New Jersey habits and traditions that leave the rest of the country scratching their head.
- Participating in Mischief Night
Flickr / David Seibold Did you know that toilet papering houses the night before Halloween was a Garden State tradition? Ask around, you’ll find that outside of New Jersey, this isn’t a thing. Here, though, we know that October 30th is just as much of a holiday as the 31st.
- Going out of the way to your favorite bagel shop.
Facebook / Bagel Express Mt. Holly We’ll happily add another 20 minutes to a road trip or a long drive if it means we can grab our breakfast from a spot that we know is going to be good. Nothing is worse than a disappointing bagel.
- Pork Roll or Taylor Ham - pick one.
Flickr / Ted Kerwin South Jersey typically calls it pork roll; up north, they say it’s Taylor Ham. “Central Jersey” is a wild, lawless land where some people can’t make up their minds and go with both.
- Eating Scrapple
Flickr / Ron Dollette This is more of a South Jersey thing… but you’ll find so many people saying that this is the true winner of the breakfast meat wars. Some places even make it in house… but I don’t really want to know more than that.
- Having a least hated highway.
Flickr / Peter Miller Nobody really likes our big highways, but everyone has an opinion on which one is the worst, and which one isn’t all that bad.
- Always passing everyone, all the time.
Flickr / James Loesch It doesn’t really matter what speed anyone is going, we all want to be in front.
- Hanging on to local summer for a little too long.
Flickr / scottnj It’s true that September is the best month to go down the shore. No crowds, great weather, warm water. However, we all know that person who drags their beach days well into the fall and winter, insisting that the snow just makes the whole place a little better.
- Eating pizza the correct way.
Facebook / Manco and Manco Pizza As Jon Stewart says, “You fold it, and you eat it. One hand. Keep the other hand free to grab an irresponsible amount of napkins.”
- Heading out for a meal in the middle of the night.
Flickr / CC Chapman Look, sometimes it’s 2 a.m. and you want an eggs Benedict. We don’t judge. Our diners stay open all night long.
Do all of these seem familiar to you? What strange habits have you realized originated here in the Garden State? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Flickr / David Seibold
Did you know that toilet papering houses the night before Halloween was a Garden State tradition? Ask around, you’ll find that outside of New Jersey, this isn’t a thing. Here, though, we know that October 30th is just as much of a holiday as the 31st.
Facebook / Bagel Express Mt. Holly
We’ll happily add another 20 minutes to a road trip or a long drive if it means we can grab our breakfast from a spot that we know is going to be good. Nothing is worse than a disappointing bagel.
Flickr / Ted Kerwin
South Jersey typically calls it pork roll; up north, they say it’s Taylor Ham. “Central Jersey” is a wild, lawless land where some people can’t make up their minds and go with both.
Flickr / Ron Dollette
This is more of a South Jersey thing… but you’ll find so many people saying that this is the true winner of the breakfast meat wars. Some places even make it in house… but I don’t really want to know more than that.
Flickr / Peter Miller
Nobody really likes our big highways, but everyone has an opinion on which one is the worst, and which one isn’t all that bad.
Flickr / James Loesch
It doesn’t really matter what speed anyone is going, we all want to be in front.
Flickr / scottnj
It’s true that September is the best month to go down the shore. No crowds, great weather, warm water. However, we all know that person who drags their beach days well into the fall and winter, insisting that the snow just makes the whole place a little better.
Facebook / Manco and Manco Pizza
As Jon Stewart says, “You fold it, and you eat it. One hand. Keep the other hand free to grab an irresponsible amount of napkins.”
Flickr / CC Chapman
Look, sometimes it’s 2 a.m. and you want an eggs Benedict. We don’t judge. Our diners stay open all night long.
For more unique NJ habits, check out this list!
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