Spring Days at the Jersey Shore

It's so nice here today. It's like Spring in February. Which sounds great. It's even a holiday week-end with public school here closed today and Monday. Again sounds great right?

here's the catch. Every person that owns a home or condo will be down tonight. Sounds great again doesn't it since I am a waitress?

I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready to lose my quiet little sleepy town. I fight with myself constantly...more people equals more money for me. but...blech.

There are several different types of tourist down here.

1. people who own. They actually think they should be considered residents in the same status as me. umm...you LIVE somewhere else. You vacation here. How is that being a resident? You are not a local until you've survived a few winters at the shore. Even now (after 10 1/2 years here and all winters spent here) my husband is likely to say I'm not a local. They act superior to almost everyone with quotes like "I have a summer home here" or "I'm local I own". My reply is that I have a winter home.

2. People who rent condo's/homes. These might be the most obnoxious. Not sure - it may be a tie with people who own. They come down and flash money. Sure might be great for our economy, but they flash money and then fail to produce it. meaning YES they'd love the surf and turf and stuff it too with crab meat please. Bring me as many drinks as you can - no I don't care about the price. I can see these people coming from a mile away. They eat and drink and "don't care about the price" until it comes time to pay and they've racked up a nice big bill. then they don't seem to have enough left over to tip. They spend the rest of their vacation ordering $12 pizza's delivered to their condo.

3. The hotel'ers. They aren't down yet. They won't be down in force until July 4th week-end. These people are on true vacation. They eat out every meal. Know that they are going to have to tip. And in general, stay on the beach or at their hotel with a pool. They don't clog up my stores, they aren't at walmart stocking up on snacks. I like the hotel crowd.

of course there are exceptions in every crowd. And in general I can say that last summer (first summer waiting tables in 11 years and first time ever in NJ) was pretty good. But, it's week-ends like this that make me cringe. I know they are coming. I know that my sleepy little hamlet is endangered.

*sigh* at least to date no one has flipped a table in my restaurant:) although I would be ok as long as it's filmed for Bravo.