Name-calling of tourists a century-long tradition on New Jersey's coast

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | July 17, 2004 | CHRIS NEWMARKER -- Associated Press

[Willie Green]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- They're terms that Jersey Shore residents have used every summer to describe the tourists lining beaches and boardwalks and filling hotels and restaurants.

If you are one of these tourists, it's possible you've never heard of the derogatory nicknames whispered behind your back. In other words, you might be a "bennie" or a "shoobie" and not even know it.

Almost everything about the words, from their origin to the frequency of their use, is a subject of disagreement.

Yet their existence is undeniable. Even as their region has cashed in on summertime visitors, every generation of Jersey Shore residents for the past century has cursed and poked fun at the bennies and shoobies.

[Willie Green]

Newbie bashing has a rich and long tradition in American culture.

[Rebelbase]

Up in the Blue Ridge they're called Floridiots.

[BenLurkin]

Yes, but WHO would vacation in NEW JERSEY?

[Blue Highway]

Yes, but WHO would vacation in NEW JERSEY?

Peaople from upstate NY perhaps?

[M Kehoe]

Hawaii has their haleys, Florida their snowbirds and blue hairs, and Mexico has their gringos. So, I guess it's ok for NJ to have their shoobies.

On another note, why would anyone in their right mind want to vacation in NJ anyway?

Incoming!

5.56mm

[MineralMan]

"Yes, but WHO would vacation in NEW JERSEY?"

West Virginians?

[backinthefold]

Having grown up on the Jersey shore, and being away for 13 years now, this brought back some great memories :)

(been to a few benny go home parties myself)

thanks for posting, and for the smile

[lormand]

"Yes, but WHO would vacation in NEW JERSEY?"

Good point.

I would venture to say that I will probably NEVER put my foot in that hell hole called New Jersey.

There are too many beautiful places to see and things to do just in my great state of Texas.

...wishing I could pee on NJ from here.

[Blue Highway]

Being from NJ and living in Florida, both places have it's share of tourists. While I was once a tourist here, I can't say I ever DROVE like one.

I think the Florida tourists are far worse than anything Jersey shore residents deal with. We have Canadiens, Ohioans, and much of the mid-west. Jersey shore probably deals with predominantly NY and some PA, MASS and CT travellers, which isn't too bad comparatively.

[piasa]

Down here in FL we love tourists and call them effectionately, "jobs." (Except for the whiny, complainy bad-driving tight ones from the northeast that cry and say things like "that's not the way we do it in Noo Yawk," for whom colorful and highly secret Seminole profanity is reserved.)

[freepatriot32]

i know a lot of people that go to new jersey for the great bear hunting they have in the south eastern part of the state however as for going ot the jersey shore or anywhere near the urine saturated boardwalks not a chance in hades i'd ever set foot there

[saquin]

Sheesh, did New Jersey kill your dog, or something?

[Old Professer]

And dogs piss on the furniture if you leave them alone too long...

[mabelkitty]

Chagrin Falls, Ohio has their "cone lickers".

(people come to town, buy an ice cream, walk around the square and look at the falls)

[Pharmboy]

You sound hateful about my beautiful state...almost like a liberal.

Cheers,
PB

[JimRed]

Yes, but WHO would vacation in NEW JERSEY?

On some summer weekends, it seems that half of NYC has flooded into our little beachfront communities. Further south it's the Philly crowd.

The nicest time is mid September to mid October. The weather is usually great and the crowds have gone.

[oldironsides]

I just went to NJ shore for the first time. I leased a home on the beach at Ocean City and we were all pleased with the entire area. We stayed a week with our children and grandchildren. The beach was clean and so was the town.
We stayed at the Delaware shore last year in a beach home. We all agreed that NJ was a nice place to visit. They all wanted to return next year. The fishing was great, people were nice and we really do not care if they have names for us. It is not a big deal. They are stuck with corrupt McGreevy and we are not. I to go have to brush the sand from my SUV carpets.............:>)

[Congressman Billybob]

Also in the Blue Ridge we have a saying, occasionally appearing on a bumper sticker: "How Come It's Called Tourist Season / If You're Not Allowed to Shoot 'Em?"

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "John Kerry & John Edwards: You've GOT to be Kidding"

[R. Scott]

My favorite local bumper sticker:
If it’s tourist season, why can’t we shoot them?

[JockoManning]

anybody see the picture of the shark on the NJ coast?

RedBloodedAmerican posted the thread yesterday,

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1172947/posts

besides, Outer Banks (OBX) in North Carolina has the best beaches on the eastern seaboard.