Asking what part of Worcester you're from isn't funny because you could ask that of anywhere, but no where else can "which exit?" make any sense.
Also the ubiquitiousness of the question makes it funny too.
I think the negative connotations come from the implication that the whole state commutes into the city. And well, just because people think of NJ as inherently negative.
People elsewhere generally do seem to use it in a kind of negative-yet-humorous way. Which is why it confuses me.
When it's between natives, it's not weird, but it's also not funny, it's just a statement of fact. Like, "Oh, I live over by that rock." "Do you really? I lived by that rock for years!!!" Sort of like if someone knows Worcester, they ask which part, and when I say Grafton Hill, no one thinks that's weird! heh.
i'm not really sure, my entire experience of NJ is driving through it on the turnpike. and i think that is why i also think NJ smells so bad. i know other people with similar NJ experiences, so maybe there is something there with the turnpike action? who knows.
Ah, but the "which exit?" question is a tricky one, because it can refer to *either* the turnpike or the garden state parkway. Most of NJ is pretty nice and green, but you wouldn't know it if you stayed on the turnpike (which, especially in the northern part, tends to be rather grey and smelly).
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Asking what part of Worcester you're from isn't funny because you could ask that of anywhere, but no where else can "which exit?" make any sense.
Also the ubiquitiousness of the question makes it funny too.
I think the negative connotations come from the implication that the whole state commutes into the city. And well, just because people think of NJ as inherently negative.
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When it's between natives, it's not weird, but it's also not funny, it's just a statement of fact. Like, "Oh, I live over by that rock." "Do you really? I lived by that rock for years!!!" Sort of like if someone knows Worcester, they ask which part, and when I say Grafton Hill, no one thinks that's weird! heh.
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