The Thing About New Jersey

When I moved to Princeton almost four years ago my friend Matt warned me that people could be a little rude, especially in minor transactions like the grocery store or fast food. I didn't experience this very much my first three years in Jersey because Princeton is like an insulated biodome that protects its inhabitants, most of whom are not native to New Jersey, from the harsh reality of the outside world.
Now that I've lived in North Jersey for a little over a year I see this all the time. My friends Sara and Emily (both from Ohio) and I have explained to our small group (most of whom are from Jersey) that people here are, in fact, rude. I attribute part of it to a cultural phenomenon of simply having no filter. People basically say what they think without any attempt to sugar coat or be politically correct. If it comes across harsh, or over-reactionary, or just plain racist it doesn't matter. The other element of it is that this is a state where people are always in a hurry (usually to get to work in New York or Philadelphia), and in that cut throat environment you have a be a little mean to survive (or at least that's what people seem to think). I'm not a pushy person by nature, and I have not become one, but that means that I sometimes have to wait extra long for various things because just let the shovers go ahead of me. People also talk faster. Cashiers will also roll their eyes at you like you've burdened them greatly if you ask for some more of anything. The other day I was at Dunkin' Donuts (it's not sketchy here like in the West, and it is a mostly unavoidable part of everyday life) and I ordered a croissant sandwich. I probably don't have to tell you that those are warm with melty cheese goodness on egg and meat, but I just did anyway. The guy stared at the picture on the menu, then gave me a bag with a cold piece of ham, a cold egg patty, and a slice of cheese between two cold croissant slices. He looked confused when I asked him to warm it up. Luckily another employee was equally appalled and gave me a refund.
Here's the other thing about New Jersey. People are much more away of their ethnic heritage. If they are Italian or Dutch or Greek or whatever, they know and there are elements of their lifestyle that make their heritage obvious. That's not bad of course, it's just generally not the case anywhere else I've lived except for recent or first generation immigrants. Here it's people whose Italian great-great-grandfather came to New Jersey and settled in the same town as the current resident, who now runs the local pizzeria (which are also more numerous than any other type of restaurant). That's kind of a cool thing, but a little weird when people find it incredible strange that I would just pick up and move across the country multiple times.
End of rant.