1. Everyone In Staten Island Is Sick Of Gettin' No Respect...
With Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx getting all the attention, Staten Island often gets thought of as the “forgotten borough.” And then there’s the endless sea of snide remarks when people do remember it. Staten Islanders have heard 'em all.
They know Staten Island is actually the best borough and they don’t care who doesn’t agree. In fact, the more jokes that are made the less hipsters invade the streets and send the cost of living through the roof. *Cough* Brooklyn *cough*
Just don't make your disdain too clear...
2. ... Because Staten Islanders Are The Only Ones Who Can Complain About Staten Island
Think what you want about Staten Island, they don’t really care. But you’re best advised to keep it to yourself. Staten Islanders don’t think their borough is perfect, they just think it’s the best. There’s a difference.
Sure, the traffic sucks and NYC gives SI all their leftover tax dollar scraps so you could lose a small child in the potholes. But there's a camaraderie among Staten Islanders that often goes unspoken but always rings true.
It doesn’t matter if you’re halfway across the world—if someone from Staten Island runs into a stranger from the same borough, they’re automatically blood.
3. People In Staten Island Do Things Their Own Way, No Matter What
You can tell you’re pushing A Staten Islanders’ buttons when they end everything in “–eh!” As in, “I’m busy-eh!” They like things the way they like them. If they don’t think you’re doing it right, they’ll do it their way.
They didn’t like the way Pennsylvania handles their groundhog, so they made their own Groundhog Day. It’s almost exactly like Punxsutawney's—just with a Staten Island groundhog.
And it’s no secret Staten Islanders don’t like the way other boroughs do business with them. Through the 1980s a movement to secede from New York City was wildly popular and in 1993 almost two-thirds of voters agreed to break from the other boroughs—but the referendum was shot down. So close.
All this resentment is actually kind of hypocritical, because...
4. Everyone In Staten Island Is Actually From Brooklyn
Staten Island is filled with people originally from Brooklyn, which naturally creates a bit of contention with families who claim to be Staten Island purebreds.
After the Verrazano Bridge was built Brooklynites came to SI in droves for the bigger houses, more space, and lower cost of living. And now that it’s getting even tougher to find affordable housing in Brooklyn the same thing's happening again.
Some “true” Staten Islanders argue all this gentrification is taking away from the borough’s original charm and fusing in a Brooklynese culture. All thanks to that damn bridge.
5. Staten Islanders Are Bigger Italians Than Actual Italians
Staten Island has had a majority Italian population since the early 20th century. In fact, the number of Italian residents in SI is more than double of any other ethnicity.
Perhaps the most notable of the "Italian by way of Staten Island" crowd are three members of the "Jersey Shore" cast. Vinnie, Angelina and The Situation all hail from The Island and are the epitome of the Italian stereotype.
Whether you’re Italian or not, though, everyone in SI knows where to find the best meats, the freshest beds, and the best cooked pastries. And obviously, the best slice of pizza.
6. Staten Island Guys Spend More Time On Their Hair Than Girls
“I’ll be dere in five minutes, I’m doin’ my hair-eh!” from by a Staten Island guy translates roughly to “Get off my back. I’ll be there in four hours, because I'm spending a ridiculous amount of time styling my hair.”
Hair is serious business in Staten Island. If you compare hair gel sales in SI with the national average, chances are the Island blows everyone away. Staten Islanders consider the idea that hair could be their “make or break” factor the 11th commandment. Especially the guys.
Just don’t touch it, whatever you do.
7. And Everyone In Staten Island Is Addicted To Tanning
Staten Islanders will tell you there’s nothing that can’t be cured with an old fashioned tanning session (or two). It’s serious business.
When Staten Island hometown girl Jwoww went to Italy in 2011, all she wanted to discuss in her interview afterward with Regis and Kelly was how much her tanning suffered because the salons in Italy weren’t up to her standards.
Not everyone in Staten Island takes it quite to that extreme, but trust me—they're all definitely more orange than they’re supposed to be.
8. Everyone In Staten Island Is BFFs With The World’s Most Terrifying Clown
So there used to be a mystery clown roaming the streets of Staten Island, popping out at random and no one knew why. Enough to make you hide under your bed and never come out again, right?
Well it didn’t faze Staten Islanders in the least. Locals hoped to be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the SI Clown and get a picture with him. Turned out the clown was just a publicity stunt for a production company, but he still roams the streets acting like the photobomber of your nightmares.
But seriously, a scary clown? These people are from Staten Island. They’ve seen way worse. They just shrug, pose for the picture and say, “Dis guy!”
9. Staten Islanders Make Going To The Mall A Weekend Affair
“I’m gowenna’mall” for the untrained Staten Island ear means the person you’re speaking to is going to the Staten Island Mall—which is only ever called “The Mall.” They probably went last weekend, and will go next weekend too.
Whether they’re out for a new chain, a snapback, some hair gel, a pair of 6-inch heels before heading off to the Jersey Shore, or to get their eyebrows threaded (I’m looking at the men), “The Mall” is the only retail destination in the Island.
10. People In Staten Island Think The Wu-Tang Sign Is Their Own Bat Signal
The members of the Wu-Tang Clan all got their start in the Island, and have never forgotten their roots. In 2011 Wu-Tang got a chance to play together again in their hometown and gave an emotional interview to Rolling Stone magazine boasting their Shaolin pride.
And when you show Shaolin some pride, they show you mad amounts of love right back.
The famous Wu-Tang symbol can be found everywhere around the city, from pizzas in the shape of the W, to graffiti, tattoos, shirts, and even snapbacks. Wu-Tang pride is everywhere.
