“I’ve Always Wanted To Go To New York!”

This is the typical response I get when I tell people I’m from New York. Everyone assumes I live in the city and are shocked to hear that New York has suburban and rural areas.

Many people have never heard of Long Island, let alone even know it exists. For those that do know Long Island, they assume I’m rich and live in the Hamptons. They honestly couldn’t even point it out on a map.

One time someone thought Long Island was the same as Long Beach Island. I stopped speaking to them at that point.

The conversation typically continues with bagels, pizza and Billy Joel, but usually ends shortly after they find out I’m not from the city.

All of these silly stereotypes of New York are not so silly once you leave. It wasn’t until trying Noah’s New York Bagels, that I really understood how good I had it. You’re honestly better off with pizza from Dominos than wasting $40 a pie for a New York Style Pizza.

Poland Spring water is incredible and only available in the northeast. California tap water is trash flavor-wise and always makes my hair do funky things.

California has its own stereotypes as well. Most people assume I’m in Los Angeles, with the Hollywood Sign in my backyard, running into celebrities every day. When I inform than I’m actually in the Bay Area, they continue with thinking that they’re close by. Even when I tell them it would take a six hour car ride, they still don’t get it.

Moral of the story is you don’t know what you got until it’s gone. Thankfully I have access to both benefits at different times of the year. Appreciate where you are from and what you have because one day you too may find yourself on the other side of the country.