Shore to Please

It's Monday!
Of course, you know what that means?
Listicles with the lovely Stasha at the Good Life. This week's list is a good one, inspired by Hopes at Staying Afloat , 10 Things that Make a Perfect Vacation.
Now, inspiration has taken me away, swept me away to the Shore.

The Jersey Shore.

when I write of the shore, my definition includes Seaside and towns south of Long Beach Island.

While there are towns above this point, I have limited knowledge and therefore have not chosen to include them in this piece.

Five Reasons why the Jersey Shore is NOT what you see on MTV

1. Families 

If you head to the beach on any given Saturday or Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, families populate the beaches. Extended families: grandparents bopping their grand babies on their knees while toddlers dig in the sand.  Kids collecting sand fleas and hermit crabs, while the adults sit in their respective chairs drinking and talking.

My family

2. Not Everyone is Italian
nor do they want to be

Cultural pride rings strong at the Shore. However, it's not resevered to singularly to those of Italian descent.   Never have more Irish descendants or those who are Irish for the day,  been in one place, then Irish Weekend  in North Wildwood.  

While no specific days are dedicated to these ethnicities, German, Polish, Slovak, and Greek pride are evident through t-shirts and flags too.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

3. Dress

There are some who dress like they are heading to the clubs. Usually that demographic is categorized to towns such as Wildwood, Seaside, and the like. Visit a few other towns, and you have entered the land of Lilly & Tory,

 Polo & Jcrew.

Don't know these designers?

If you're heading to Cape May,  Ocean City, Sea Isle, Avalon, or Stone Harbor,

then you better learn!

Think Preppy!
Polos! Pearls! Khaki! Pink & Green!

A lot different then the hair puff & porn star heels.

Bry in his Polo

Me in my Lilly polo

4. Boardwalk

Okay, I will admit the Wildwood boardwalk is very similar to that of Seaside, home to Jersey Shore cast.

BUT, head a few miles up the Parkway and Ocean City awaits.

Those boards are clean and family centric.

There are nights dedicated to families for heaven's sake and the town itself is dry!

No liquor stores or licenses in the entire place.

Clean boardwalk

Family friendly rides

5. Cape May

This town alone serves as the reason why the Jersey Shore is NOT solely confined to the scenes on tv.

Historical the oldest seashore in the country, Cape May takes pride in its history. Weeks dedicated to its Victorian hertiage fill the calendar as its shores are dotted with families and couples. A popular destination for beach weddings and commitment ceremonies, it's venues offer close proximity to the beach. Cape May is filled with small hotels, bed & breakfasts, and large Victorian homes. Bike riders fill the streets as the small, independent shops sell various home wears and apparel.

Hotel Alcott

The newlyweds circa 2005
Cape May

However, I am realist. It isn't all made up. There is truth in what you see on that screen,
and so I offer:

Five Reasons Why the Jersey Shore IS what you see on MTV

1. Tan

Skin cancer is a real threat.

Doctors and other professionals have warned of the ill effects of a suntan. But this does not apply on Jersey shore beaches. Many cannot get tan enough.

Comments such as "You look so much healthier with color."

and "Are you sick, maybe you need some sun." are often regular expressions heard in social circles, including my family. It is bad, yes, but why do I feel so much more attractive with that bit of color?

See that browned leg, that's my mother in law's natural state.
She'd kill me if I put her whole pic on here, but she'd also tell you she's pale.

2. Beach Wear

If you ever feel bad about your body, head to the Jersey shore?

Why?

Because it appears that with the sun, the shore brings out a lot of self confidence.

Skin.

A lot of Skin

Is shown on those beaches, often by those who should keep more to the imagination.

I won't lie. My self esteem does go up after comparing my own flawed body to the others wearing string bikinis and tiny bottoms.

Flattering?
I know, but compared to the people around, I feel fine!

3. Alcohol

The signs displayed at the beach access points warn that alcohol is prohibited, however this is rarely enforced. Frankly, I've never seen anyone told NOT to bring their drink to the beach.  Most coolers (of those families I mentioned in part 1) are filled with wine coolers and beer. Secured in their cozies, alcohol is consumed in mass quantities during a Shore vacation.
Be it at the beach, or on the deck or at dinner or the bar, alcohol is a must have!

4. Attire

While many of the beaches seem to have a dress code of khaki, pink, and green, there are places where the porn star look is embraced. The Wildwood boardwalk is one of those. Skirts covering the bare minimum paired with deep. plunging tanks parade the boards while the guys dress in t-shirts and jeans.
There's also the large selection of "classy" t-shirts available in many of the shops.
Shirts that say stuff like "Slippery When Wet" or "DTF".  

Definitely not my cup of tea, but it's there, for all to enjoy,
And for those of us with children, to explain.





5. People

There are a multitude of families that inhabit the shore.

However, the single scene is still in effect.

Time to bring out the straigtening iron, mascara, and the heels, because it's always ladies night somewhere!

Bars, Clubs, & the Boardwalk offer just the place to stroll, check out the scene and find that special someone for the night, or for a few hours.
One can never go too tight or too short or too tan,
okay, maybe too tight and too short, but defintely not too tan!

source

The Jersey Shore, the place where families and singles can play, drink in excess, and tan.

 I can think of no more perfect place to spend those hot summer days!

Only 6 months, and 14 days until Memorial Day 2012, the offical start of summer at the Shore!