1. Explaining where you're actually from is very hard

No, I am not from Westchester County, or Dutchess County for that matter. Many times it is easier to just say that you're an hour south of Poughkeepsie and an hour north of New York City, because let's be real, no one knows where Putnam County is.

2. There are no malls

In order to actually go to a real mall, and not a shopping center, you not only have to leave the town, but the county and sometimes the state of New York.

3. High school sports

Friday nights are pretty boring in a place that has only has delis and pizza places so the thing to do on the weekends is go to whatever sporting event there is. Sometimes this even means going and cheering for the neighboring town.

4. Having pride for your high school

Even though you may arrive at the local sporting events, there is a strong pride for your own high school and you are always, in competition with the other schools. This is even prominent in the college kids that constantly come back for every homecoming game and senior night and still wear their high school's attire.

5. Carnivals and parades

You know it is summer when the fireman parades come around which means the place to be is the carnivals after those parades. You will probably go to that carnival almost every day it is open for that whole week, considering there is nothing else to do.

5. Hiking

Hiking is one of the biggest pass times and you're honestly not sure whether it is because people want the recognition of being "outdoorsy" or if its because everyone has a strong urge to walk around in the woods.

6. You're probably famous without knowing it

You may not go to school with these people, have never gone to school with these peopleand have not met these people before, but they know who you are and what you did that one time with those people at that one place.

7. Everyone is related

Everyone is related to everyone. No, this does not mean we are all marrying our cousins but you will most likely find out that your best friend is related to that guy that works at the ice cream shop that you think is super cute.

8. High school parties aren't just for your classmates

There comes a time in your high school career when you realize your high school parties also involve kids from the town over, two towns over and the local Catholic school.

9. Every school has a stereotype

"Oh you went to [insert school here]? That's the rich/hick/Catholic/party school, right? Is everyone that goes there rich/hick/Catholic/a partier?"

10. This will always be your home

No matter how many times you say you can't wait to get out of here before you graduate high school and no matter how many times you leave, this county,full of small towns, will always have a special place in your heart and will always welcome you home.