Those of you from New Jersey

[Tosie]

In my experience, The Sopranos comes closest but obviously represents a very very small part of the population. The language, mannerisms, relationships and accents were very familiar to me.

Some of the accents on these reality shows are real but you will find a wide variety of accents depending on what part of Jersey you're from. (North Jersey is waaaaaaaaaay different from South Jersey).

As far as content - we all know reality show are never real. They cast the extremes, the flamboyant, the obnoxious.

I grew up in North Jersey so spent time in towns where you could find people like these but it was not the norm. I live in a small rural town now and there is no one like that here. It's way more down to earth and friendly.

That being said, our state is pretty crowded as it is. If these shows help keep people out, well, that's not such a bad thing.

 

[mkel34]

I grew up in RI and all of the Jersey people could have just as easily come from there. Not all Rhode Islanders are like that but we had some pretty colorful folk

Lisa

I went to college in Rhode Island and this is so true, actually one of the Jersey Shore kids is from RI. Also, a lot of the kids I went to college with were from northern NJ and Long Island and fit the television "New Jersey" mold to the T.

 

[aprilvaca04]

I only watch Real Housewives, and they represent a very small percentage of people from NJ. Yes, I do know many men exactly like Theresa's DH, I know many with the accent (I cracked up with the Gia "say coffee" scene). I live about 15 minutes from these women. BTW, the local rumor is that Theresa is in danger of losing the house, because she spends too much (there a people here who have a second degree of separation from these families).

Accents are a very funny thing...In my house alone we have a NY accent(me) a Boston accent(DH) and 2 Maine accents(DD's)

I love The Jersey Real Housewives. I think I relate to them the most because I come from a big family so I get the family issues and loyalties.

 

[AJ12345]

i'm born and raised in North Jersey. Few minutes from most of the housewives. There definately are women like that around here. HOWEVER, they are def. not the norm.

As far as accents, I think we all have some variation of a typical "North Jersey accent" but people like Theresa take it to an extreme.

As far as the Jersey Shore kids, it's pretty spot on. It's also spot on in the fact that alot of people who come down the shore aren't even from Jersey. We've all done it (to a MUCH lesser degree) They just didn't have cameras when I was down the shore...

 

[gurglingsuitcase87]

I'm from RIGHT over the bridge in seaside, so Jersey Shore hits close to home. Locals don't usually appear like the cast of the show. We are all beach kids in flip flops, But I used to work right on the boardwalk and the "bennys" (sorry i hate to use that word sometimes) were almost all like them. I mean I think the show is hilarious, they are making fools of themselves. Its funny that every shirt on the boardwalk now is about guidos and what not..locals have been making fun of bennys for years, now the whole country can join us too! hahhaha People get so offended around here because they think the show is portraying us like them, but they do say that the cast is not local (except situation hes 40 mins away) so everyone needs to get over it. Ive had experience with MTV cameras in my school twice and yes they are annoying, but im enjoying watching these people make a fool out of themselves

 

[njprincess601]

Another born and raised Jersey girl here! I'd say I live in a relatively wealthy North Jersey town (Millburn) and definitely know some people that could be on Real Housewives. However, 97% of people we know are not like that. Teresa takes "over-the-top" to a whole new level!!

I go to college in southern Virginia and when Real Housewives and Jersey Shore came on people always asked me if that's what New Jersey is really like. Sure, if there weren't people like that, these shows wouldn't exist. I have the accent, I know people who live in multi-million dollar houses, always dressed head to toe in designer clothes and spoil their kids like crazy. But the majority of NJ residents are not like that. It depends alot on where you live and who you choose to have as friends. I think we just have to take these shows for what they are. Entertainment. These shows are meant to entertain. Of course there are some truth to them. However, they are exaggerated versions of Jersey. I don't think enough people realize that. TV networks have to find the most outrageous people to get ratings. No one wants to watch boring people! Some people didn't like NJ before these shows, and they will continue not to like them after they are over. New Jersey residents know what's true and how great our state is!

 

[kwelch10377]

When I moved to Boston from NJ and started working there was this woman in the office across from my cube who had a VERY heavy North Jersey accent. Well one day I was talking with co-workers and she comes out of her office to tell me that she can't even stand to listen to me talk because of my South Jersey/Philly accent. Now I know I do have an accent, but never really thought it was that bad. Being new I didn't really respond, but my one co-worker turned to her and said. "Really, have you listened to yourself talk before"

I saw a friend back over Christmas for the first time in a bout 7 years and he was very disappointed that I hadn't picked up a Boston accent at all. He said he was looking forward to mocking me for it if I had.

 

[alisonwonderland64]

I'm from central NJ (near Princeton) and my area is NOTHING like what people think of when they think of New Jersey. I know that these New Jersey stereotypes are out there and I've seen them in other areas of the state (although they're definitely not the norm, as others have said), but you wouldn't know it by looking at my town. I don't know anyone that has a Jersey accent, nor does my town have a large Italian population like a lot of these shows seem to have (we have a very very large Asian population instead). While some of these Jersey shows are entertaining (I do like the housewives, I have to admit), I hate how this is how the rest of the country is perceiving the state these days. We're not all like that, I swear!

Also, I found this site the other day: http://jerseydoesntstink.com/
It's amusing, but it is nice that the other non-stereotypical New Jerseyans are trying to be heard!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'm in Central Jersey (Somerset Cty) and I don't hang with anyone like that. Have I seen people, yes. Is it the majority of the population - heck no. In fact, I was watching Jerseylicious one day and DD walks in the room. She wanted to know where this was filmed because she was shocked. I told her it was in the same town where we go to White Castle after dance class. Her eyes were like !! She was shocked to say the least. I think she keeps her eyes open now whenever we drive through Green Brook.

 

[__disneygirl]

Jersey Shore is one hundred percent not my experience at the Jersey Shore and I am in the same age bracket as the people on the show. It really has nothing to do with Jersey, it's just a show about a bunch of kids getting together wanting to party, get drunk, and hook up. This goes on everywhere. I have been going to the Jersey Shore summer after summer my whole life and it is not the trashy place portrayed in the show. Yes, there are places that aren't as nice as others but there are also absolutely gorgeous, quaint, beach towns like Ocean Beach and Sandy Hook. I only have the best memories from there and it's nothing like the show.

As far as Real Housewives, that show is staged and partly scripted, so I think that sums up why it's not an accurate portrayal of New Jersey people. I live in the same county as those women though, and no one around here really cares about them. They go to a lot of local places I go to and it's not that people don't like them, but they just don't treat them like celebrities either.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I've seen a few of those shows and to me they seem more like the NY Metropolitan area, not just New Jersey. They could be from Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens etc. Don't see why New Jersey should get the bad rep from these shows.

I can't believe how stupid and childish they all act.

 

[Vixen]

Sammie From Jersey Shore is from Jersey

 

[frndshpcptn]

I am from one of the towns where they film Real Housewives of NJ.

In my opinion - the drama is just silly (and annoying). But the lifestyle isn't that far-fetched.

The Sopranos was pretty accurate to my area as well (they filmed that partly in my town too).

Jersey Shore - yeah...while they are totally trashy...it's not totally off-base form what you'd expect of Northern NJ / NY area kids going down the shore during the summer. I can't say I was shocked by any of it. Reminds me of some people I know and thier behavior when I was younger and we had shares in houses down the shore for the summer (minus the girls getting in fistfights. that I can honestly say I have NEVER seen.)

 

[iheartjacksparrow]

I'm from RIGHT over the bridge in seaside, so Jersey Shore hits close to home. Locals don't usually appear like the cast of the show. We are all beach kids in flip flops, But I used to work right on the boardwalk and the "bennys" (sorry i hate to use that word sometimes) were almost all like them. I mean I think the show is hilarious, they are making fools of themselves. Its funny that every shirt on the boardwalk now is about guidos and what not..locals have been making fun of bennys for years, now the whole country can join us too! hahhaha People get so offended around here because they think the show is portraying us like them, but they do say that the cast is not local (except situation hes 40 mins away) so everyone needs to get over it. Ive had experience with MTV cameras in my school twice and yes they are annoying, but im enjoying watching these people make a fool out of themselves

I'm right across the bridge too! What school did you go to? I'm from Forked River went to Lacey High School...
I'm with you though people around here need to get over it the cast of Jersey Shore isn't trying to say that they are from here. I mean yeah it is kind of annoying that other people portray all of us that way, but NONE of the locals around here are like the cast of Jersey Shore!! I do wish us locals could have the beach to ourselves and kick the bennies out for the summer so I could actually get a spot on the beach!!

As for the show Jersey Couture I don't really mind it. I know some people that are like that, and I do know a lot of very Italian families around here.

Sure, some of us New Jerseyy people can be more obnoxious than others...but I just think we get straight to the point. And I can honestly say there is a lot of loyalty here, and people are always willing to help one and other.

BENNYS GO HOME!!!

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I live in NYC, and I certainly come across many people like the NYC Housewives and often the New Jersey Housewives. Particularly on some of the charity boards I sit on. The accent makes me giggle every time, I just love hearing it.

 

[Kimberly]

BENNYS GO HOME!!!

The summers in NYC were great because all of them were out of the bars there and partying "down the shore."

 

[LiberalPrincess]

The summers in NYC were great because all of them were out of the bars there and partying "down the shore."

LOL! That is so true. Summers are generally more free of the bridge and tunnel crowds!

 

[gurglingsuitcase87]

Im from TR.


I feel bad for New Yorkers, they get alot of crap too! My college roomie and my mom are from Staten Island and both sound NOTHING like the stereo types we all see. I think I have more of an accent then both of them. I am perfectly content saying "wudder" instead of water!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I grew up in Brooklyn and have been in Joisey for 20 years. I don't watch any of those shows, and have never met anyone like them!

I live in Central Jersey (Monmouth County), and we were at a restaurant Friday nite in Woodbridge and OMG, there were 2 girls with snookie (is that her name??) hair do....OMG did they look STUPID!! I wanted to laugh out loud at them.

Some trends should die before they are allowed to start!!

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

We're not like that at all. Although, my generation does like to fist pump...