20 Signs You Grew Up In A Beach Town
73.6kshares
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Growing up in a beach town, you experience everything differently.
1. Whats a chain restaurant? Okay well thats an exaggeration, we have a McDonalds, that counts right? Nope. We’ve never been to an Outback Steakhouse, a Ruby Tuesdays, a Red Lobster, a Texas Roadhouse...you get the idea. The closest Olive Garden is forty-five minutes away. The best part is that you probably didn't even notice you were missing these places until you went away to college. There’s something to be said for some homemade recipes and family businesses.
2. You've had a job since before the 8th grade. Living in a beach town, ANYONE can find a job, applying minimal effort to the search. If you were anything like me, you got all dressed up and rode your bike from business to business looking for openings at the age of fourteen. By the time we were Sophomores in high school, everyone had a job. Listening to twenty year olds complain about their parents suggesting finding a job makes you cringe. “You mean you haven’t already had a steady job for five years?!”
3. Forever Casual. We can’t help it, its just the way we were raised. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wearing jeans and a T-shirt to a party. Flip flops and sneakers are more than acceptable, but then you go away to school. You’re getting ready to go to a house party and your roommate walks in wearing a little black dress. Suddenly, you become aware of how painfully casual you look.
4. Winter is vacation time. While everyone is spending the summer months vacationing three blocks from your house, you’re slaving away. Working two jobs and attempting to spend a few minutes here and there with your friends who are working just as hard isn’t exactly what you’d call “vacation.” Nope, we’re waiting for those peaceful winter months to take a break from the daily grind.
5. You’ll never understand the undying enthusiasm that accompanies a firework display. People travel from all over to watch those bursts of color and light fill the sky. By now, you’ve probably seen enough fireworks to drive you crazy.
6. You failed to experience “Beach week”/ “senior week.” I guess its because you've been living there, but for whatever the reason, we have definitely missed out on a week of youthful insanity.
7. You answer far too many questions with, “I’m a local.” There’s nothing worse than being harassed by the boardwalk carnies when you’re just trying to make it to work on time. Blurting out the fact that you hold local residency is just a polite way to say, “Leave me alone!”
8. You could spot a “shoobie” from a mile away. There’s just something in the way people from out of town carry themselves. It’s easy to spot and even easier to roll your eyes at. Perhaps its the ridiculous amount of effort that goes into their boardwalk attire, or the full face of makeup for the beach that gives it away. Just an idea.
9. You're familiar with the drunken antics of humans. You've probably walked outside to your lawn furniture in disarray, or maybe you found your american flag a block away stuck into the ground. Either way, living in a beach town, you grow accustomed to the drunken behaviors of those celebrating their vacation.
10. You've been pulled over for doing 30mph in a 25mph. Those winter months aren’t just quiet for you. The police department needs to do their job, but with so few people around, often times the lesser crimes are brought to the forefront. Give us a brake!
11. Shoes are an after thought. One of the greatest culture shocks that occurs when you leave your little beach town will undeniably be shoes. Who knew that they were so important. You mean flip flops aren’t always an acceptable option? Can’t I just wear my sneakers?
12. You know more than half of the local business owners. This is your home. Once the summer population ships out in September, its just you and all the business owners, and otherwise locals. You’re bound to have some serious connections.
13. You utilize all of those cheesy beach quotes. Why: Because you can! You live at the beach, if pretty beach sayings don’t apply to you, then what are they for? You’re allowed to show off your beachy roots because they actually exist!
14. You find little to no amusement in arcades. Aside from the occasional skeeball game, most arcade games just aren’t exciting. It became such a tourist activity after a while, and you most likely lost interest years ago.
15. Your hometown was small...too small. No getting away with anything here, not to mention keeping anything to yourself. When the population is halved for the winter months, the crowd that would be perfect for disappearing into, is a no show.
16. You mention the name of your town whenever you get the chance. If you live in a beach town, its probably rather well known. After all, everyone has a preferred beach. Going away to school gives you the perfect opportunity to brag about your humble abode just blocks from the waters edge. “Oh I don’t know if you’ve heard of it...I’m from Atlantic City..”
17. You earned the “beach bum” title. No, I’m not referring to the vacationers who buy surf brand shirts at their local mall. You LIVE at the beach, like all of the time. You’ve probably spent more time soaking up the sun and sand than some vacationers have in their entire lives. So unless you’re here all year round, PLEASE take a seat.
18. The sand is everywhere. It doesn't matter if you haven't been to the beach in two years. There is a 100% guarantee that if you look hard enough, you will find enough sand in your home to build a decent sandcastle.
19. When traveling, you do your best to avoid looking like a “shoobie.” You’ve had your share of driving behind shoobs. Its safe to say that the experience is so torturous, it has completely altered the way you conduct yourself while visiting new places. If you need to look at a map, we won't judge, but please for the love of god step out of the way of oncoming foot traffic!
20. The ocean will always be a part of you. A piece of your heart will always be at the beach. As soon as you get home, its absolutely necessary to go right down to the water. Just to look, or to walk, or even just to breathe it all in. How lucky you are that this is your home, and it always will be.
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