YEAH! Today is Friday and for many, they are looking forward to the LONG Memorial Day Weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I do remember those days but now my thoughts have changed ever so slightly….
Being born and raised at the Jersey Shore, I have learned that this is the first official weekend that the “shoobies” return. A shoobie (if you are from South Jersey) is some one who wears socks and sandals on the beach, typically just coming to the shore for a vacation or long weekend or a day trip. Of course, if you are from Central or Northern NJ, these visitors are called “beenies” and are us usually from NY. They are what keeps many businesses in our area open and able to sustain during the long cold winter months. YEAH!
When I was in high school, I loved this time of year. It was when the boardwalk got busy, I got more hours at work and we didn’t mind sitting in traffic or the lack of parking spaces. Fast forward to living in South Jersey near Ocean City and believe it or not, I didn’t think it was that bad. Yes, there was a little bit more traffic. Yes, there was a few less parking spaces. Yes, we had to pay to park. Given all of that, I loved taking the kids to the boardwalk and people watching. The crowds never seemed as bad down there are they do up here.
Fast forward to NOW! Living in Central Jersey (Brick) again, I am back to dreading the influx of people. For some reason the crowds seem worse, manners were left at home and oh, did I mention the traffic. It is the time of year when I find the shortest or less traveled distance between any where I want to go. I avoid the boardwalk and we walk the lake. I avoid the beach and stick close to our condo complex pool. I LOVE the warmer weather. I LOVE that seasonal businesses are open and busy.
Okay, so for those “shoobies” and “beanies” – no hate mail please. This is just my only vent for the summer and then it is over. All I ask is that you bring your manners and remember that for some of us, this is home and not just a vacation spot. We welcome you into our “HOME” and ask that you treat it as if you were a guest in someone’s home.
So, are you excited about or dreading the start of the LONG Memorial Day Weekend? Share your thoughts with us..
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 