By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Every place has their own quirks and nuances, and those are what make a spot special. We, as locals, have the responsibility to communicate these norms to visitors, to maintain peace and tradition. As every Marvel fan knows, with great power comes great responsibility. So, here are ten unspoken rules of Atlantic and Cape May County, handy for passing along to newbies and shoobies:
Always hold the door for the next person at Wawa
They say Jersey is the rudest state, but Wawa etiquette proves them wrong. Most states see a convenience store as maybe a cigarette shop or much-needed bathroom in a desperate moment, but Jersey knows that Wawa offers so much more. Commuters stop in to pick up breakfast sandwiches, hoagies, milkshakes and fresh fruit. When you travel too far north, west, or south, surely you miss this Mid-Atlantic icon!
The Jersey Devil Legend
Lives On
Beware entering the Pinelands after dark! Locals know this monster’s origin story and like to scare their out-of-town family and friends. The Jersey Devil has made his mark all over the state; he even has a hockey team and roller coaster named after him!
Pennsylvania has their groundhog, we have a
hermit crab.
Golden-shelled Martin Z. Mollusk predicts an early summer if he sees his shadow (which he has for the past four decades, thanks to some creative flashlight use by handlers). Martin and his soulmate, Molly Mollusk have served as Ocean City’s official mascots for almost 50 years. May 8th is Martin’s Big Day, otherwise known as Ocean City’s local Groundhog Day.
Dog Beach is better
than any dog park.
The little strip between Longport and Ocean City is beloved by locals and their pups. Canines love to chase tennis balls, dig in the sand, and romp around in the salty tide. This past Christmas one local family erected a Christmas tree on the beach, and dog lovers wrote their pets’ names on clamshells placed around the tree. It was a beautiful sight to see!
Oh, is it Halloween already? Time to buy tickets for Terror in the Junkyard!
The Scullville Fire Co. fundraiser spooks the young and old every year. Hayriders twist and turn through the junkyard and are invited into creepy scenes with themes such as evil clowns, pandemic zombies, and witch’s brew. Not only can fearseekers jump on a hayride, they can also purchase tickets for the haunted maze. Prepare to scream!
Casinos are way more
than just gambling.
The casinos have diversified their selection of adventures. From fine dining to premiere concerts, a visit to any casino can be fun for everyone. Expect to browse between escape rooms, high-end shopping, spas, clubs, and pools.
Atlantic City, as a whole, offers a wide variety of additional fun experiences, such as Axe-throwing, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Dolphin Cruises, and of course, the Steel Pier.
Bring your own bag
when grocery shopping.
Ventnor, Brigantine, and Somers Point enforce it, but it’s good for the earth wherever you shop. If you want to support local food producers, check out farm markets in towns such as Linwood, Ventnor, and West Cape May. South Jersey’s fertile soil and temperate climate is perfect growing blueberries, tomatoes, herbs and green beans. Yum!
Dive into the ocean
on New Year’s Day
The Polar Bear Plunge starts the year off with a refreshingly-cold dip. Thousands line up along the beach, shivering in bikinis and board shorts, and when the announcer gives the signal, the crowd rushes into the 40 degree water. Die-hard folks swim underwater or wear a shark or polar bear costume. Happy New Year!
Pass on the left, never
on the right.
If you’re going 60 on the Parkway, stay where you belong, the right lane.
Never pump your own gas.
Your first words were probably “20 regular cash.” Jersey girls (and boys) don’t pump their own gas, and we are proud of it. Who wants to get out of their car in the freezing cold (in the winter months) and press icky buttons and pump gas? Gross. Gas station attendants, thank you for spoiling us the way we deserve.
