Observations of a beach badge seller/checker

PeggyC said:
Oh, wow. Now I feel the urge to go to Point Pleasant and find that doughnut shop! What a nice family.
I'm going to have to look up Jersey City accents. I don't think I've heard that one.

There is an accent in jJersey City that has been "contaminated" by influx of other residents. I am not using contaminated as a reflection of the people... Just the accent.

One pronunciation I recall is earl for oil.

"I need to replace the earl in my car."

Also Micky Mouse was the term used for cops. That came from a cartoon where Micky was portrayed as a cop

This thread needs to be submitted to NJ Monthly

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

PeggyC said:
Oh, wow. Now I feel the urge to go to Point Pleasant and find that doughnut shop! What a nice family.
I'm going to have to look up Jersey City accents. I don't think I've heard that one.

There is an accent in jJersey City that has been "contaminated" by influx of other residents. I am not using contaminated as a reflection of the people... Just the accent.


One pronunciation I recall is earl for oil.


"I need to replace the earl in my car."


Also Micky Mouse was the term used for cops. That came from a cartoon where Micky was portrayed as a cop

Earl and terlit both came from long-ago Brooklyn. My grandmother got it from her mother who was born/raised in Brooklyn.

I thought those pronunciations (earl and terlit) were from Queens... à la Archie Bunker. (That was Queens, right?)

Archie Bunker supposedly lived in Astoria, Queens, but it was definitely a Brooklyn accent; Jersey City is very similar, but I'm told a little different. I sat in on a regional accent class at the American Academy for Dramatic Arts once as a New Jersey example. The instructor spoke specifically about Archie Bunker, Brooklyn, JC, Pennsylvania and Long Island differences. It was over 40 years ago, though, so I don't recall much (especially since I was embarassed at being an example.)

musicmz said:
Archie Bunker supposedly lived in Astoria, Queens, but it was definitely a Brooklyn accent; Jersey City is very similar, but I'm told a little different. I sat in on a regional accent class at the American Academy for Dramatic Arts once as a New Jersey example. The instructor spoke specifically about Archie Bunker, Brooklyn, JC, Pennsylvania and Long Island differences. It was over 40 years ago, though, so I don't recall much (especially since I was embarassed at being an example.)

This is an interesting subject. I grew up in Hoboken and Wood-Ridge, NJ and at the age of 18 at my first job in NYC I was constantly asked "where in Brooklyn do you live?"

Someone was JUST telling me about that donut shop! I think it's called something like "Top That"?

I was born and raised in JC and my first job sent me to DC for training. While there more than one person asked me if I was from Brooklyn or Jersey City. Oh, and my grandmother always waited for the "earl" man to come.

Yes Miss Grandenko-that is it! Had another one yesterday-from same person....just to die for!!

I have tales from this week and will post them later-I took notes and have to find them!

More stories please

Yes, more of your great storis!

Two twenty something women walked by me Friday and were holding hands. I asked them if they were having fun yet and they giggled and said yes and then said "we are not gay". Why would someone say that? It never occurred to me that they were gay.

Observation-people who have given up smoking...carrying those vapor sticks-why carry them when you are not using them? Did you always carry an unlit cigarette in your hand? That just looks odd to this person. Perhaps there is something about them that I do not know....

Daily the color of the bracelet that I put on your wrist when you pay the beach fee changes. When I am attaching the bracelets I often look for the patrons color of bathing suit (usually under a beach cover-up)-maybe the strap or the bottoms of the suit...If the color of my bracelets complement what patron is wearing I will say something like"I called your home this morning to see what you were wearing so I could coordinate the colors for you". That is a well received line and it gives a moment of laughter usually.

When you pay to get on the beach and the gate attendant tells you that the red alert is on for the ocean and you cannot swim why do you get pissed at me when you leave a couple of hours later because you cannot get in the ocean??? Thanks for giving me so much control over the water-but I told you...you paid and went in because of your own free will.

PeggyC said:
Oh, wow. Now I feel the urge to go to Point Pleasant and find that doughnut shop! What a nice family.
I'm going to have to look up Jersey City accents. I don't think I've heard that one.

Seconded! Those donuts sound incredible

Come on down!!!!! I'll be waiting for you by gate 3!

So, I was off this weekend...bright and early yesterday morning before the life guards even show up people came up to me and complained that they were not allowed on beach all weekend because of red flags. I said"and you are telling me this because?" people wanted to know if they could get on beach and swim today....I repliied that I hoped so-and that the lifeguards wanted to insure their safety....Eventually yellow flags went up and then the announcement that people could go in up to their knees-more complaints-I referred their complaints to the lifeguards....I am 400 feet fro the ocean-I can only see breakers hitting the shoreline...talk to the guards...they will tell you what is up......

2 men with badges on come past me with a child and a woman-she is trying to squeeze past me between the guys and I call her on it and she shows me one of the men's season passes and I ask her where hers is and she said that this pass is for the family. I tell her we do not sell family passes and that she needs one of her own and one for the child who is between 5 and 11-she gives me some lip and then holds out her hand with a crumpled up $20 bill in it. She had the money the whole time but tries to get past me...what is up with that?????

Lots of new families this week-my old buds from last week went home from vacation and so now I have the new vacationers-the questions start all over again-where should we eat? What should we do if it rains...etc...so glad to be able to be a welcoming face for these vacationers. Have I told you lately that I love my job?????

bgs,

With regard to the red flags: are persons PROHIBITED from going in the water; or are they just SOME DUMB PERSON for ignoring a prudent warning?

Also I had thought that the Courts had ruled that the water, and the beach up to the high water line, were public property, and thus accessible to all. Do I have that wrong?

Thanks for any help in better understanding.

TomR

Tom_R said:
bgs,
With regard to the red flags: are persons PROHIBITED from going in the water; or are they just SOME DUMB PERSON for ignoring a prudent warning?
Also I had thought that the Courts had ruled that the water, and the beach up to the high water line, were public property, and thus accessible to all. Do I have that wrong?
Thanks for any help in better understanding.
TomR

You are right on the high tide demarcation. However, getting to the high tide demarcation requires walking on the "private beach" sand to get to the high tide mark.

A person can walk out on the jetty to the high tide mark and then walk on that section of beach.

Regarding the red flags, that has been an issue with surfers. I believe they filed suit against Belmar and won the right to surf in stormy weather.. red flags or not.

I am telling you-yesterday was one for the books-and it was not even a full moon-So freaking tired of people who try to scam me.....will write more later - out for the day and then tomorrow start 6 days in a row!!!

musicmz said:
Archie Bunker supposedly lived in Astoria, Queens, but it was definitely a Brooklyn accent; Jersey City is very similar, but I'm told a little different. I sat in on a regional accent class at the American Academy for Dramatic Arts once as a New Jersey example. The instructor spoke specifically about Archie Bunker, Brooklyn, JC, Pennsylvania and Long Island differences. It was over 40 years ago, though, so I don't recall much (especially since I was embarassed at being an example.)

I grew up in Queens. A lot of people from Brooklyn moved from there to the "country" -Queens and Long Island, bringing their accents with them.

I was eagerly awaiting the report on the 16th. Now I'm afraid that the heat and the scammers have exhausted bgs.

Hope everything is okay and that the many good people there are treating you well.

Thanks EBennett! You hit the nail on the head-I am sort of pooped when I get home -am on a 6 day in a row stretch-I am taking notes and hopefully will have a great next edition!!! Do not fear-bgs is here!!!!

By the way Folks- I have been pondering the question as to why beachgoers are charged to go on the beach...in the case of where I work-it is a privately owned beach. The owners provide, at no extra cost, immaculate beach bath houses to shower and change in, immaculate bathrooms with attendants to keep it clean, immaculate beaches to walk on and sturdy non splintered board walks for your comfort as well as a multitude of benches to sit on. There is also food and amusements available for your use. A woman questioned me yesterday as to why some beaches were cheaper and I pointed out what was offered at my beach and she then understood.

bgs said:
Two twenty something women walked by me Friday and were holding hands. I asked them if they were having fun yet and they giggled and said yes and then said "we are not gay". Why would someone say that? It never occurred to me that they were gay.
Observation-people who have given up smoking...carrying those vapor sticks-why carry them when you are not using them? Did you always carry an unlit cigarette in your hand? That just looks odd to this person. Perhaps there is something about them that I do not know....
Daily the color of the bracelet that I put on your wrist when you pay the beach fee changes. When I am attaching the bracelets I often look for the patrons color of bathing suit (usually under a beach cover-up)-maybe the strap or the bottoms of the suit...If the color of my bracelets complement what patron is wearing I will say something like"I called your home this morning to see what you were wearing so I could coordinate the colors for you". That is a well received line and it gives a moment of laughter usually.
When you pay to get on the beach and the gate attendant tells you that the red alert is on for the ocean and you cannot swim why do you get pissed at me when you leave a couple of hours later because you cannot get in the ocean??? Thanks for giving me so much control over the water-but I told you...you paid and went in because of your own free will.

Thankfully no one smokes anymore. Except in Europe where it's sadly still common.

Beege: This sounds like one of the creeps you've had the misfortune to deal with:

http://www.thv11.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/24/waitress-taunting-note-no-tip/32253245/

could be mums-meanwhile back at the ranch-I think I have dueling old men....my friend John who brings me the Italian ices and a more recent old guy who comes to beach from his house with or without his kids and grands who brings me a frozen bottle of water every day last week...When John came a bit later with ices he asked where I got the water from and I told him....he did not look happy...meanwhile I am doing what I do to make everyone happy and am tickled that at this old age I have two old men who want to keep me hydrated and happy....(and of course my beloved at home who thinks this is all very funny).

Your beloved at home better get cranking with some flowers at least.

---- back to Aug. 16th. ..BGS. You owe us.

FilmCarp-not really....the guy at home is the best of the best and he does not have to do one thing more than what he has been doing for 37 years to keep me happy!!! Okay-jack-I swear I will get there.....so much to say-so little time!~~~~ xoxoxoxo, beege

Not sure I reported this-when people ask me where the nearest bathroom is I usually point to the ocean.... one little boy said but I have to poop!! I laughed myself silly over that one! The bathrooms are a distance from my spot -I am exactly in the middle of the boardwalk between the pavilion and the inlet-so it is a bit of a walk...

We have young people who are hired to keep the beach clean during the day-they are called beach boys and usually do not interact much with the older staff-of course, I make it a point to talk to them all because that is what I do. One youngster has taken a liking to me....he has left me two love notes at my booth for me to find in the morning and I have laughed right out loud when reading them....This kid is one for the books-the first one read: "Barbara, If you were a booger, I would pick you, Love xoxox" (I am leaving out his name to protect the innocent) the second one I got yesterday: "Are you hurt? That is a long drop from heaven-Love, xoxo". I would be concerned since he is only 14 but his older brother also works with me and tells me that his brother is quite the ham. You just cannot make this stuff up.

I do not remember if I told you about my friend Emilio-he is in his 80's and walks the boards early in the morning for his daily exercise. He wears a cap and whenever he comes upon me he tips his cap to me and wishes me a good day. I so remember my Dad always doing this....a real gentleman, my friend Emilio.

More later-I am off today and making a pot of gravy and I have to tend to it.

I think after the booger one I might have stopped worrying, LOL!