I’ve lived in a pleasant Jersey 'burb all my life, and I don’t understand why people keep making fun of my state. It’s nice here! It’s one of the original thirteen! It’s got lower shopping taxes than New York! Really, I don’t get it.
At least you’re not from Long Island! 
Or Connecticut… or god forbid, CANADA. :eek:
You have to admit, the part of New Jersey that faces New York City is a filthy, stinking hellhole. I doesn’t make a good first impression.
But…y’all talk funny.
The part that faces Philadelphia isn’t so hot either.
::closes up his drapes:: Sorry, I didn’t realize you could see me from over there 
But the middle and the shore is beautiful! 
I’ll always love NJ. I loved it when I lived there, and I love it every time I go back. I never really got the jokes either, but ehh, I think they are also part of what gives NJ its charm.
psycat90 ~ Middlesex County born and bred. OK, I was born in Burlington County, but whatever.
And that just reminded me, I think I can still list the counties in alphabetical order thanks to 3rd or 4th grade Social Studies class.
Really? What exit?
As a (n almost) lifelong resident of Alabama, boy howdy, can I ever feel your pain.
Most travel to/from NYC includes a trip along the NJ Turnpike, right through the heart of the petrochem refinery capital of the world. The smell is…not something you’ll find Yankee Candle rushing out to try and replicate for their product line.
Since for many people, this is their only exposure to the state, they come away with the impression that that couple of miles representative of all of New Jersey. Naturally, as a lifelong resident of the most densely populated state in the nation, I say “Yep…you’re absolutely right. The whole state is a stinkbox, and there is no reason for you to try and find out otherwise”.
Sorry, we’re full.
This. We really don’t need the pop. density to climb much higher, and that goes double for NYC folks (the most homicidal drivers are disproportionately from The Empire State), so the official line is that everything about 'Jersey sucks.
On a related note, it always bemuses me to hear people in general squawk about our unsightly petrochemical corridor. What, you don’t use any cleaning agents, plastics, food additives, lubricants, gasoline, or fly on commercial airlines? Fine, then. Otherwise, StFU, you snooty hypocrites… our petrochemical industries go a long way to making your lives as pleasant and modern as they are!
Mob run docks
Chemicals in Bayonne, Elizabeth, Linden, etc.
Newark Crime
Hudson County Corruption
One of the ugliest stretches of Interstate Highway in the country
Atlantic City is dowdy (with a reputation of mob involvement)
The Pines Barrens, (in addition to having an unfortunate name), are known for freaky events or the Kallikuks
= = =
Now, I am aware that there is a lot more to New Jersey than those stereotyped situtations and even that those stereotypes are not all that accurate, but, for better or worse, the state has done rather little to promote the Delaware Water Gap, its thriving dairy industry, its coastline, the real beauty of ther Barrens, or its rich history, (most folks probably think Trenton and Monmouth are in Pennsylvania), so the trouble spots collect the most attention.
When I lived in New York, I had the same attitude. Your eyes kind of shut down after the northern part of the Turnpike. I only appreciated NJ after I moved to Princeton. The town I lived in after moving from Princeton had great schools, a nice livable downtown, a great supermarket, was small enough so you knew everyone, and an environment where you could leave your doors unlocked. I’d move back. (Closer to 95 than the Turnpike, btw.)
What freaky events, and what are Kallikuks?
I’ve got to say, we’re having a beautiful spring here. Warm, with lovely flowers and trees. The prettiest spring I’ve seen in a long while.
Come to scenic Kearny! All your Jersey fears and hates will all fade…(sort of)
The Jersey Devil lives in the Pine Barrens and carries off the unwary.
NJ in a lot of way serves as a suburb for NYC or Philadelphia. Comics like urban areas so NJ comes off as one huge suburb, with Atlantic City thrown it. Atlantic City (Before gambling) was known as the “convention” place for NYC and Philly, for the urbane people to go and have fun at the beach and to run amok.