13 SIGNS YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED IN PORT ELIZABETH

Port Elizabeth locals have a certain way about them, we like to call it our PE-ness. Yes, you heard correctly! And if you can relate to more than 5 of these signs, you definitely have some PE-ness in you 😉

1.YOU NEVER CALL IT ‘NELSON MANDELA BAY’

The only people who call it “Nelson Mandela Bay” aren’t from Port Elizabeth or are forced to call it that because they work for the municipality’s tourism department. Nelson Mandela Bay just doesn’t roll off the tongue of a PE local. It would be like calling your mom by her first name. Cringe!

2. YOU ARE CONSTANTLY TELLING PEOPLE FROM OTHER CITIES TO CHILL!

Whether you actually say it to them or think it, it’s a prominent word in your vocabulary. You really don’t understand what is wrong with having to wait 5 minutes for your coffee. Or why that big-city-guy from who-knows-where is complaining about lack of service. And when you visit Cape Town, you have no idea why the drivers are hooting at you – you are clearly driving the speed limit! Chill!

3. YOU GET DEPRESSED LIVING IN A PLACE THAT TAKES YOU LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES TO GET ANYWHERE.

If it takes more than 15 minutes to get to, it’s not worth it. It’s simply a waste of your life. Leaving for work an hour and a half before you have to be there – that’s just crazy – not going to happen! You have no idea why people would want to live in a horrible place like that.

4. PAYING COVER CHARGE IS A FOREIGN CONCEPT.

The ONLY reason you will pay cover charge, is if there is a really good band playing or to get into a festival. Paying cover charge just to get in, for nothing? Nope!

5. SNOW MAKES YOU FREAK OUT AND ROAD TRIP TO HOGSBACK

Snow just doesn’t happen in PE. Therefore, you chase the snow…all the way to Hogsback to be exact. Jumping in your car to road trip 3 hours to see snow is what you do for fun in winter! You will make a snowman. You will take photos. And you will post it on Facebook.

6. BUNKING SCHOOL/WORK TO WATCH THE CRICKET IS A THING

If they could, we are sure the city would declare cricket days as public holidays. Because let’s be honest, when there is cricket at St Georges in Port Elizabeth, ain’t nobody going to school and the work-day pretty much ends at 2pm.

7. YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD THE WHOLE LANE-CHANGING GAME DOWN, UNTIL YOU DROVE IN JOHANNESBURG.

You only truly discovered that mystical ‘blind-spot’ when you drove for the first time in Johannesburg. “Where the hell did that car come from?” If you’re in your own car, then your registration gets you excused. You can literally see the people in the cars next to you word-out “Shame, they’re from EC.” But if you’re in a rental….let’s just say you’ll learn quickly.

8. R20 FOR A CAPPUCCINO IS YOUR LIMIT

There’s not much more to say about this. Paying more than R20….it just doesn’t happen. Why would you want to do something so silly when you can get a flat-white at Charlies for R12….take that Cape Town!

9. DRESSING UP MEANS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO YOU

You don’t see any problem wearing your flip flops out to restaurant, or club. This whole “you have to be in squared-toed-shoes to get in” thing just doesn’t fly with you and you will avoid it at all costs. On the other hand, dressing up in costume to a themed party, now THAT’S how you roll.

10. YOU KNOW THAT BUYING THE TICKET IS THE CHEAP PART

You have come to terms with the fact that if you want to watch any of your favourite artists/bands/theatre shows live, you are going to have to budget for flights, car hire, petrol, accommodation and eating out! Not to mention put in leave for work! On the bright side, every PE person loves a good ol’ road trip to Cape Town (for the shows, not the cappuccinos!)

11. YOU CAN SAY ‘NMMU’ WITHOUT GETTING TONGUE TIED

Not only can you say it, you can chant it to the melody of a real dirty song! You also find it incredibly amusing when you hear non-locals try to say ‘NMMU’ and have to constantly show them how it’s done. Cue the chant…

12. KENTON AND ST FRANCIS QUALIFY AS REPUTABLE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

It’s like being on holiday with everybody that you know! It’s freaking awesome! Is it December yet?

13. YOU HAVE NO SHAME IN ASKING PEOPLE TO SHOW YOU THEIR PE-NESS

You’re a proud PE local and The Brothers gave you words to live by. When you’re in PE, you don’t feel judged or dirty when you ask people to show you their ‘pe-ness .’ People know what you’re talking about, and that makes you feel at home.