From the outside, a small hometown can seem just that- small and simple. For example, I grew up in the small town of Toano, Virginia. Of course, no one has probably ever heard of this town, so I claim that I'm from Williamsburg, Virginia- the closest city and tourist attraction that's still over 25 minutes away/ But here are some things that only the people that grew up in small hometowns, like myself, would know:
1. You can move away from your hometown but you'll still remain in the loop of the happenings.
2. When there's a town tragedy or a horrible event, everyone in the entire community comes together to help those in need.
3. The small town gossip is a real thing! Everyone knows everyone's business.
4. Hometown high school football games are attended just as routinely serious as church on Sunday mornings.
5. Little ones grew up with the same children through their lives: same schools, same churches. same community gatherings, everything.
6. Parents are the best friends of your friend's parents as well as everyone else in the neighborhood. They always know if you did something wrong. You don't have to tell them. All of their friends are spies that report back to your parents at all times.
7. Parents and friends of the family are also teachers and police officers as well as other important jobs that hold authority in the small town. I am a teacher's daughter. i went to the same school that my mom taught at as well as went to school with other teacher's children. Many times would parents end up teaching their child in a class at one point of another.
8. Dates are never really private. You always run into other people that you know. About 2/3 minutes after you walk away from the person you ran into, they are automatically spreading the word that you are dating/ hooking up with that date. I told you- the gossip crap is real!!!
9. With that being said. you are never ever really truly alone. Someone is always around for eavesdropping. Your every move is being watched. Kinda weird right? Goes along with the conspiracies of the government but this is your neighbors, parents, and friends doing this. Still weird if you ask me!!!
10. Nosy neighbors aren't just limited to those people that live around you. That distance follows you everywhere. Like I said before- nothing is private.
11. Going to the store quickly for a few things ALWAYS turns into an hour long ordeal because you ran into people that you know and they started talking. And it's normally NOT just one person. NOOO!!! It's always more than that.
12. If you run into someone with the same last name as you, 9 times out of 10 there's a great possibility that you are related somehow in a previous generation and you just aren't aware of it. It's scary how twisted small town ancestries can be!
13. Most often, the last place you want to go out and drink is the local bar. You know that you're only going there to forget your troubles and the stressful week you just had. So is everyone else in that bar. But guess what! At this bar, you know everyone!!! You will either end up being caught up on all the gossip or you end up listening o someone else's horrible week. In the end, it's never enjoyable for you.
14. The Police Officers in small towns are normally friends of family or friends of friends. They won't pull you over unless they have a good reason to do so. And if they do pull you over but not for to good a reason (such as barely speeding) they will almost always let you off with a warning.
15. Everybody dies famous in a small town. Need I say more?
