Note: These opinions are mine and mine alone formed from my experiences. This is purely written to have a little fun and I am not trying to speak for all Long Island girls, and it’s important that we all learn to laugh at ourselves sometimes!
Whenever you meet someone at Fairfield, one of the first questions asked is “Where are you from?” When I answer “Long Island,” I generally get one of three responses: 1. “Cool, me too. Where on Long Island?” – at which point I have to give a description of the surrounding area of my town because no one has heard of it; 2. “Cool” then they continue with the conversation; or 3. “Oh…”
It’s the “oh” answer that I dread, because I know that in a simple “oh” this person has already formed a picture in their mind of who I am… your stereotypical Long Island Princess.
First of all, a little background on me. Yes, I have a “Long Island” accent and I’m proud of it. My parents were born in Queens and I’ve lived on L.I. all my life, so what can I say? But as funny as my accent may sound sometimes, although it’s dulled a little when I’m away from home, I REFUSE to ever call the Island “Strong Island,” and I plead with everyone to do the same. I’ve lived in the same house in Albertson (between Manhasset and New Hyde Park, about ten minutes from the Queens border), and hung out with my friends in Williston Park for my entire life. Now with that covered, it’s time to dispel a few myths about your favorite Fairfield girls, the L.I. Princesses:
1. We are complete label-whores. If I have to label myself, I’d rather be called a “label-fan,” and only in certain situations. Would I pay $300 for a pair of pointy-toed boots that I will probably only wear for one winter? No way. But would I pay $200 for a quality leather bag that I’ll have for at least three years? You bet.
My philosophy, spend the big bucks on jeans, bags (my label of choice: Coach) and classic jewelry. I can’t tell you how many bags I’ve bought at Macy’s that have fallen apart on me in a few months and cheap silver rings that have turned my fingers green. I’ve learned that it’s worth it to splurge a little on things from Coach and Tiffany that will last you for years (honestly, I have jewelry that I got for my Sweet 16, and it’s still going strong).
Don’t spend on ultra-trendy items (go H’M all the way), extra bags that you use to go out (when you know the spillage factor is significant) and t-shirts. The Salvation Army is a godsend for vintage tees; at $.99 how can you go wrong?
2. We all drive Audi’s, BMW’s and the like. Honestly, no offense to those who do, I wish I were as fortunate. While my high school did have their significant population of girls who would go to Starbucks on breaks in their brand spankin’ new convertible BMW, my girls and I would go to Dunkin Donuts in Kara’s Jeep “Woody”, Katie’s ’90’s T-bird, or my old Buick (R.I.P. Buick…). My philosophy: as long as it runs and has a stereo, that’s all I need.
3. We have no qualms about spending Mommy and Daddy’s money. Let’s face it, Fairfield isn’t cheap, and neither is simply trying to live on Long Island. I could plead Mommy and Daddy for money to pay for Spring Break or those new Franco Sarto boots I’ve been eyeing lately, but why? I’ve basically been a drain on their bank account for the past 20 years, so it feels good to give them a break. I haven’t been working 50 hour work weeks during the summers for nothing!
4. We all vacation in the Hamptons. Do you have any idea how expensive the Hamptons are?! Jones Beach for me all the way, enough said.
5. Long Island is one ultra-rich community. Long Island is a pretty big place. From my house I can drive 10 minutes in one direction and be near LL Cool J’s house, 15 minutes in the other direction and be in a lower-class “ghetto.” I live in what used to be the town general store about a century ago, and most of my friends live in “Happiness Homes,” which were part of a pre-planned community built after the Depression (sort of like Levittown).
6. Finally, regardless of religion or ethnicity, we are all “JAPs” or preps. Yup, there are plenty of Abercrombie and Juicy-clad kids walking around Long Island, but honestly give me a pair of sweatpants over tight jeans and high boots any day. Back in high school, first period started at 7:30 a.m., so it was all about comfort, not fashion.
Although I’ve only touched on a few topics, I hope that I’ve helped to change your beliefs about us Long Island girls. Sure, you’ll definitely come across a few who fit the Princess mode perfectly and give the rest of us a bad name, but I swear they are few and far between. So I ask, the next time you meet someone from Long Island, get to know them beyond their location. You wouldn’t like it if we thought, “Ew, he’s from BOSTON?!” would you?
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