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 đ
1.YOU NEVER CALL IT âNELSON MANDELA BAYâ
The only people who call it “Nelson Mandela Bay” arenât from Port Elizabeth or are forced to call it that because they work for the municipalityâs 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, itâs a prominent word in your vocabulary. You really donât 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, itâs not worth it. Itâs simply a waste of your life. Leaving for work an hour and a half before you have to be there â thatâs just crazy â 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 doesnât happen in PE. Therefore, you chase the snowâŚall 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 letâs be honest, when there is cricket at St Georges in Port Elizabeth, ainât 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 âblind-spotâ when you drove for the first time in Johannesburg. âWhere the hell did that car come from?â If youâre in your own car, then your registration gets you excused. You can literally see the people in the cars next to you word-out âShame, theyâre from EC.â But if youâre in a rentalâŚ.letâs just say youâll learn quickly.
8. R20 FOR A CAPPUCCINO IS YOUR LIMIT
Thereâs not much more to say about this. Paying more than R20….it just doesnât happen. Why would you want to do something so silly when you can get a flat-white at Charlies for R12âŚ.take that Cape Town!
9. DRESSING UP MEANS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO YOU
You donât see any problem wearing your flip flops out to restaurant, or club. This whole âyou have to be in squared-toed-shoes to get inâ 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 THATâS 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 âNMMUâ 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 âNMMUâ and have to constantly show them how itâs done. Cue the chantâŚ
12. KENTON AND ST FRANCIS QUALIFY AS REPUTABLE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Itâs like being on holiday with everybody that you know! Itâs freaking awesome! Is it December yet?
13. YOU HAVE NO SHAME IN ASKING PEOPLE TO SHOW YOU THEIR PE-NESS
Youâre a proud PE local and The Brothers gave you words to live by. When youâre in PE, you donât feel judged or dirty when you ask people to show you their âpe-ness .â People know what youâre talking about, and that makes you feel at home.
love this!! but its cappuccino… don’t put us to shame for not being able to spell đ
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Thanks đ updated!
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And use a pic of St Georges …. NOT the Wanderers! Also no left hand drive roads in PE (see Road Trip). Otherwise quite factual.
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You are really on it! Thanks!
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“It’s…”
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I LOVE this article. Both my boyfriend and I are from PE, it is awesome to see how amazing our City has made us. It is unique. It is PE-nes. And I have a huge PE-ness. Ha ha ha. But alas, we made the move to Cape Town. PE has churned us out so well. That my Boss/ awesometasic friend, who originates from London, can’t stand the locals, and has managed to only make Pe-ness people her friends. Even her boyfriend is from Eastern Cape. Lol. So thanx for the awesome article. Xxx
But you did mention The Brothers, if you are mentioning the band, the hang your head in shame. The Brothers is a Reggea/ Juluka wannabe. Not all the guys. But the lead two. The amazing PE groups you should look at in the reggea vibe are Skank and the Roots and Ever High Dread. Ok EHD is on hiatus. But the made crowds pump Waaaaaaay harder than The Brothers on many occassions. Skank and the Roots I watched once and was BLOWN AWAY!!!!
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Thanks for the feedback đ
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Awesome Point 2,3 and 11!
I now live in Cpt, so chill (sungxama in Xhosa) is a word I find myself using all the time, all these people are in a rush for some reason, great article!
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I remember years ago I visited my cousin in Jhb. One Saturday morning she asked me to accompany her to the shops to buy bread. On our way, she said to me, “Dawn you’ve got to walk faster, this is Joburg, you’ve got to look like you’re going somewhere”. So I cut my holiday short cause I could never understand the need to look hectic all the time
Proudly PE. đ
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No mention of general confusion in other cities when using the word “boue” and “bou”. Too much of disappoint
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Dam iam from p.e study in cape town worked in Johannesburg. But the is no place. Like p.e god dzam…chill bro!!.. like wtf …now am currcurrently in p.e and iam never leaving again me love p.e the is city like p.e ever……..pe-ness for like
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Hahaha….. oh i can relate to ALL of these signs. “Chill” is a word I use often hahahaha. I refuse to pay more than R20 for a cuppa….. R18 is my absolute maximum. Cover charge for what? Hahahahaha!!! ……and I looooove road tripsđđđ
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Reblogged this on noordin400's Blog.
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Nice to know that after 7 years in JHB and now 18 years in Perth, Australia there is still a lot of PE-ness in this old girl đ Great post, loved it and found myself smiling and nodding all the way through. Thank you.
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I found Port Elizabeth in New Jersey!
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I’m from Australia and have been living in PE on and off for years. Every single word I read was spot on except for the last one where I get to show some dude my dangelies……Mind you, there was that one time at Aqua.
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Loved this post đ So accurate! Once you have lived in Port Elizabeth, moving away makes you appreciate all the small things about our city. Thanks for the sharing your pe-ness haha đ
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I am a proud people boy. Born and bred.
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Very true. I was BORN in JHB yet moved here from Windhoek which is also an awesome friendly city. PE – I walk to work daily he he. It is a zoom zoom city as said everything close. Love the garden route road trip. Happiness been a pe-ness.
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David it is not the wanderers it is the duck pond end at st georges in PE just to clear that up!
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Loving your articles of late! I am a born and bred Port Elithabethan patriot! With regards to the earlier comment of the left hand drive.. My cuz and I often do lil roadies so I can mail you a pic or two if you want?
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Yip I am a Golden Oldie born and bred in P.E.lived away for one Year but found my way back .
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Love it Patrick”& Terry
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All you said in the articalreally sums up PE.It’s a cool chill place to be ,and do your own thing.Like that .
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Fell in love with PE when my daughter was offered a place in NMMU for a 4-year program. Clean city, fresh air, friendly folk and easy pace. Been visit you regularly ever since.
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I’m not showing anyone my “PE-ness”.. haha
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LoTs of mountain biking trails,awesome.Everyone thinks they must drive in the fast lane.We only make reservations to shows etc at the last minute.
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Well done – loved this piece! As an NMMU staff member and a loyal Madibaz rugby supporter, I just wonder what the “really dirty” song is that the NMMU chant is based on? To my knowledge, it’s based on a song called the Creeps by a band called Freaks. Just wondered!
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