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50 Stars: Americans, teach us about your country.

Jamshyd

Jamshyd

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Not on a train, sadly.
Lately I'd been looking at both American history and American political Geography, both of which I find very interesting (definitely much more interesting than their Canadian counterparts!).

So, how about this: every few days, I will update this thread with a new state which Americans (and non-americans) could share what they know about it, what they like, don't like...etc. This is also your chance to dispell any stereotypes you may think exist for that state.

So, the current state for discussion is: Rhode Island (Updated July 26)

GO!


States done already:

New Jersey
Kansas
Nevada
Texas
Washington
Georgia
Arkansas

Btw, please feel free to continue talking about the states already covered.

p.s. Mods: please do not move this to the N. American forums as this is intended to be read as information for non-americans like yours truly!
 
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Nj

new-jersey-map.jpg
 
What I know:
Jersey, my birthplace.
Garden State.
Proud people,busy and fast paced (like much of the east coast).
In all honesty,most people I have met from New Jersey are a little too focused on material things for my taste.
I have love for Jersey b/c my family is from there or still there-
Dunkin Donuts and Taylor Ham=Good.
Coffee=bad.
 
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I dont know about NJ in particular but I have an "american fun-fact" I can share. Though you, Jamshyd, may have already read this when I talked about it elsewhere.

Uncle Sam is based off a real person. The guy who he is modeled from is named Dan Rice and he was one of the first clowns. The picture of Uncle Sam that we all know is based off of Dan Rice in his clown costume.
 
People do not pump their own gas in New Jersey, apperently???

My old roomate was from Jersey and I had to teach her how to fill up her tank :) (we are in VA) it was kinda funny.
 
^ it has been illegal for anybody other than gas station owners or employers to pump gas in new jersey since 1949. the law was passed then for safety reasons. obviously things have changed since then and this remains a contentious issue. oregon is the only other state that does this.

alasdair
 
alasdairm said:
^ it has been illegal for anybody other than gas station owners or employers to pump gas in new jersey since 1949. the law was passed then for safety reasons. obviously things have changed since then and this remains a contentious issue. oregon is the only other state that does this.

alasdair
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wow, really? that sucks haha. there are a few places near me that have full service and I always drive an extra 5 mins so I can pump my own gas. I hate having people pump it for me, it always takes like 10 mins cos they leave the pump in my car forever.

what I know about nj - it's the closest state to me with a Sonic. but now since I know I'd hate getting gas there, I might re-think my decision to drive there just for Sonic
 
NJ is the Palestine of United States. Slumdog Millionaire was filmed there.

I'm from PA and my GF is from NJ, I have noticed that Jerseyites have large egos when it comes to the supremacy of their state above all else. I have no interest in living there ever, high taxes, retarded drivers, you have to pay to use every goddamn highway...not to mention the bennies that migrate to Jersey beaches...
 
Entering New Jersey is free (on the Turnpike) but... you have to pay to get out!!!! hmmmmmm, this tells me something
 
I have never pumped my own gas, nor do I know how to. New Jersey as a whole is considered urban. This is due to the density of people per square mile. I forget when the state was declared urban as a whole, I'll have to look it up. But despite it being considered entirely urban, it has much farm land and some small towns.
I truly enjoy going hiking up into Northern New Jersey. Its so peaceful, and filled with lakes and streams if you enjoy outdoor wildlife. Heading to the Southern part, particularly the shore, we have to pay money to go on almost ALL the beaches. ( Theres only one or two that are free) Its usually $6-$8 a day.
 
PureLife said:
IHeading to the Southern part, particularly the shore, we have to pay money to go on almost ALL the beaches. ( Theres only one or two that are free) Its usually $6-$8 a day.
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This reminds me that people on the East Coast refer to the beach as 'the shore', folks on the West Coast refer to it as 'the beach'. I got so many funny looks when talking about 'the shore' when I lived in Colorado
 
I get the feeling we'll never get to Kansas. :|

All I know about Jersey's history is that they were originally ruled by the Dutch after a battle between Sweds and Dutchmen. Oh, and many cases in civil law are based on battles between New York and New Jersey. Many of the famous cases are involved with jurisdiction over areas between their waterways including Ellis Island, the Statute of Liberty and ferry services between the states. Many of these cases resulted in cornerstone cases in the Supreme Court.

Non-history: Apparently their pizza is even better than New York's (or so I hear from ex-Jerseyans). A lot of products are tested out there. Meaning many taste tests for new products are given in Jersey. I think this is because many Fortune 500 businesses are HQ'd there.

Oh, and apparently, though it's getting better, certain parts of Jersey are still very segregated and racism is still prevalent. My partner went to school near the Jersey shore and as a Jew was discriminated against by the other children on the regular, as was his sister. I'm sure many parts aren't like this but I think it depends on the neighborhood. Some are completely integrated and diversity friendly while others still have problems with it.
 
90% of the population lives in urban areas.

It is the most densely populated state.

It was the third state to enter the Union.

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The Pine Barrens ( in southern New Jersey ) are home to The Jersey Devil and the occasional "Outlaw."

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Jon Bon Jovi grew up a few miles from me. Bruce Springstein grew up a few more miles away.

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The fledgeling movie industry was based here in the late 19th/very early 20th century.


Thomas Edison was a long time resident.







http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey
 
Mz_Thizzle said:
Isnt there talk of removing those laws since they are so outdated?
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Well, the issue has made the state legislature a few times that I'm aware of. The last time was in the 1990's.

Many people do not know how, nor do they want to pump their own gas here.

It also provides thousands of jobs statewide.

:)
 
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