Labor Day Means...The Bennys Are Going Home!!!

For many Labor Day signals the end of the summer, but those of us who live in Monmouth & Ocean Counties in New Jersey, it's a reason to celebrate because the Bennys are going home!

A Benny, for those of you who do not know, is a tourist, but not just any tourist. A Benny is usually from New York City and its surrounding areas (which includes parts of Northeastern New Jersey). However, being a tourist form this area is not THE definition of a Benny. We are happy to share the shore with those from this and all areas across the globe and fully recognize the boost to our local economy. The defining characteristic of a Benny is his/her blatant disregard and disrespect for the people who call the Shore their home year-round. And, for that matter, an utter lack of reverence for the shore (land and ocean) itself.

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With the advent of Memorial Day comes the swell of New York plates on our roads. This means more traffic and, frankly, more accidents as New Yorkers are notoriously bad drivers. This is not just the statement of a grudge-filled "local" (if I may refer to myself as such with regards to this subject matter), it is a quantified fact determined by the DMV. See "New Yorkers rate as worst drivers"; an article from CNN.

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They are rude beyond measure to the local service industry staff...well, just rude in general. They are pompous, arrogant, and oh so certain that they are the center of the universe and we should be welcoming them with flowers and parades. The night life suffers tremendously as well as they fill the bars and clubs of which we're amazed they can fit their ginormous heads into. They take beer bottles from the bars (against code) and walk the beach at night only to leave them behind in the sand. They throw cigarette butts on our roads and beaches. Throw garbage out of their car windows. Leave trash on the beach rather than walking 10 feet to deposit it in the massive waste barrel easily found every 30 feet.

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Also, on a more political point, many of these people have money...a lot of money and use this wealth to try and privatize beaches which, obviously, excludes locals. It is a constant battle and draw on our local monetary resources as townships and Bennys are locked in conflict in court annually. Some have managed to privatize, but then still expect the state to pay for beach replenishment with local tax dollars. (And don't even get me started on the abuse of eminent domain...truly criminal)

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Alas, there are some pleasures to be found in their presences. First off, most of them cannot swim. We derive a sadistic satisfaction in watching the waves drag them along and under over and over again. Second, they do not understand how the tides work. We will go to the beach and set up at the exact spot that the tide will rise to at its highest during the course of our stay. They, seeing that there is so much real-estate between us and the waters edge and not being able to control that "me first" instinct, will set up right up front against the waves. We cannot properly express the joy the fills our hearts as the tide comes in to drag away and thoroughly soak all their belongings. To watch them scurry like ants, pulling their drenched overload of crap to plots now BEHIND US! Ha, ha, ha, ha...

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So, it is with pure ecstasy that we welcome Labor Day! It is not at all then end of summer. Technically, summer is not over until Sept 21 and the beach is still beautiful for that time. For us, the best time of summer has just begun!

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Have A Very Happy Labor Day...we will!

For more, See: Bennys Go Home. com

These are typical young Bennys. "Sup?"