Coming from a little one-stoplight town, I learned many life lessons and have had many experiences that I wouldn't have if I would have lived anywhere else. The more time I have spent away from that little town, the more I have learned that there are some things that really only seem to happen in a small town. So here are 12 signs you grew up in small town Kansas:
1. Smiling at everyone
This might just seem like a nice thin to do but at some point, over the years you have become a habitual smiler because it is just what you do. Especially since you are used to knowing everyone and having everyone know you, it is a serious faux pas to not smile when people go by.
2. Stopping in the middle of the road
Sometimes you run into your neighbor, friend, long-time acquaintance, so you guys just casually stop in the middle of the road to chat. It might be at an intersection or on a hill, it doesn't really matter honestly.
3. The two-finger wave
If you are from small town Kansas you already know what I am talking about, but for those who don't know, it is when you are driving down the road and you lift two fingers off of the steering wheel to wave. Everyone does it and people get a little upset when it doesn't happen.
4. You put a lot of miles on your car
If you went to school in a small town, chances are you know every road in the county because that's what people do for fun in High School: you drive around.
5. There is a meeting place
Most likely it is a parking lot somewhere that everyone parks their cars to make plans, to hang out, or to leave your car there in case you don't want people to know where you're going...
6. You know how fast a rumor spreads
Seriously whether it is true or it is a lie, most likely everyone in the town knows about it. Get a speeding ticket? Your Mom probably knew before you got home. Go on a date on Friday? Your teachers probably knew on Monday. Without a doubt, the old guys at the coffee shop know about everything going on.
7. Bonfires mean something very different
Bonfire to non-small town kids: a moderate sized fire, commonly a small step up from a two-stick campfire
Bonfire to Small Town kids: a big stack of wood or pallets (probably stolen) lit on fire while everyone sits around it. No little campfires.
8. Your teachers probably taught Your parents
I am not saying your teachers are ancient but they probably taught your parents and have known you since birth and will never let you forget the embarrassing things you did as a child.
9. Everyone knows everyone
A friend of your best friend's ex-boyfriend's brother's second cousin twice removed runs into you at the grocery store. They know you, you know them. You can't outrun it. Everyone knows everyone and it follows you everywhere.
10. Tornado sirens
To Non-Small town: Kansas kids: Severe weather that could potentially suck you up and kill you is coming, take shelter immediately.
To Small town Kansas kids: go outside to find the tornado, if you can't see it go chase the clouds until you find it.
11. Harvest is a big deal
Everyone is out in the fields. The wheat is all anyone talks about and without a doubt right in the middle of harvest, it will probably rain. The farmers "farming senses" are heightened and they become freaky accurate meteorologists, but that is just a fun side-effect.
12. Sunsets and stars
There is nothing better than being able to walk out and watch the sun go down and the stars rise because everyone knows Kansas has the prettiest sunset and there isn't much better than being able to look up nd see the stars.
