Posted on 02/15/2005 7:12:13 AM PST by the_devils_advocate_666
West Virginia University's Random Acts of Kindness Week urges students to be friendly to people of all different races, religions and backgrounds - including people from other states.
Many New Jersey residents attend WVU, which may result in certain stereotypes.
"West Virginia students sometimes claim that students from New Jersey are rude and patronizing," said Dr. Neil Berch, WVU political science professor and former New Jersey resident.
For some, this may be the case.
"I do find the majority of people from Jersey are louder and rude," said Jenny Baker, Bunker Hill, W.Va., resident.
Not all students feel negatively toward students hailing from the Garden State.
"I have a couple real good friends from Jersey, and I don't agree with the (stereotypes), but ... you get that everywhere," said Bobby Bess, WVU student and resident of Charleston, W.Va. "I have heard negative stereotypes (about people from New Jersey) ever since I got here ... like everyone has an attitude - guys and girls."
There are several explanations as to why so many New Jersey residents choose to attend WVU.
"A couple reasons I think a lot of New Jersey students come to WVU is because it's cheaper than most New Jersey schools. The facilities are ridiculous and it's an awesome school to have a good time at," said Matt Miller, sophomore and Freehold Township, N.J., resident.
Attending college out-of-state may also offer new experiences.
"New Jersey residents come to WVU because college is the perfect opportunity to explore another part of the country and become a more cultured individual," said sophomore and Manalapan, N.J., resident Danielle Ascher.
WVU students from New Jersey may hear jokes about their state and its residents.
"I've heard a million negative things about people from New Jersey, mostly that we're terrible drivers or that every single one of us are jerks," Miller said.
Stereotypes aside, some New Jersey residents feel as if they have become scapegoats for negative behavior, Miller said.
"I don't think it's fair to judge a group of people based on the actions of the few," Ascher said.
Just as West Virginia residents may dislike the negative things said about their state and its occupants, out-of-state students at WVU may have to prove to their peers that they don't fulfill the stereotypes of their state either.
"West Virginia and New Jersey kids can get along by just looking past the stereotypes and realizing we are all people looking for an education and trying to have a good time in the process," Miller said.
Accents aside, people really wouldn't be able to tell if a student was from West Virginia, New Jersey or any other state just by the way they carried themselves, Ascher said.
"Where a person is from doesn't determine their character and people from everywhere need to realize that," she said.
I do believe this author needs to get a real job. This is one of those fluff, no-substance pieces where nothing really gets said. Worst Journalism Ever!
Fugitabboutittt!
Holy cow! You mean even stright, white, Christian males..ro females, for that matter? Or pro-lifers? Or those who believe homosexuality if wrong? Or those who are against Affirm. Act? Or those who...
Some of my best friends are from New Jersey . . .
:)
Pauly Herman sez:
"I like to go the Paramus Mall....and go to the Wurlitzer Organ Store....are you from Joisey.....I'm from Joisey...."
Morgantown.. the only city in america where you can buy a couch and have it delivered for $20 with the sole intent to burn it in the street follwing a WVU game... NO, I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP!
uhh...are they nice couches? and do the deliver to my apartment in the DC area?
I've lived in New Jersey for the last two years. Just a quick question... If a "stereotype" describes reality, is it really a "stereotype"?
What exit? :-)
People from West Virginia stereotyping people from Jersey?
LOL! I've lived in New Jersey for 15 years. The "Garden State" is a misnomer.
How much is the toll to back out of your driveway?
Yes-it's true-Joisey people tend to be rude. We get worse the closer you get to NYC or Philly.
They're just trying to make 'em squeal.
LOL!
Which exit
How 'bout this song by a Jersey guy about his fellow Jersy-ites.
I'm from New Jersey
I don't expect too much
If the world ended today
I would adjust
I'm from New Jersey
No I don't talk that way
I watched too much TV
When I was young
I'm from New Jersey
My mom's Italian
I've read those mafia books
We don't belong
There are girls from New Jersey
Who have that great big hair
They're found in shopping malls
I will take you there
I'm from New Jersey
It's not like Texas
There is no mystery
I can't pretend
I'm from New Jersey
It's like Ohio
But even more so
Imagine that
I know which exit
And where I'm bound
The tolls on the parkway
They will slow you down
New Jersey people
They will suprise you
Cause they're not expected
To do too much
They will try harder
They may go further
Cause they never think
That they are good enough
I'm from New Jersey
I don't expect too much
If the world ended today
I would adjust
I would adjust
I would adjust
written by John Gorka
Maybe we should consider making Joisey-ites a protected group.
(he,he,he I can't wait to tell my wife. She's from that country).
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