Being from a small town can be a blessing or a curse. I grew up in the small town of Harrisburg, Illinois which has a population of about 9,000. If you're from Harrisburg or if you're familiar with the area, you know that it is nothing short of a small country town. Growing up in Harrisburg, IL was something that shaped me into the person that I am today. Some people consider the Edwardsville area "Southern Illinois" but I am here to tell you that is not the case. Here are 26 signs that you are truly from the real "Southern Illinois."
1. You have a slight southern twang.
2. You think the word "ain't" is completely acceptable to use in a sentence.
3. The first day of deer season is basically a holiday, and absolutely no one comes to class. Including people who don't hunt.
4. If you're out in public, chances are you'll see AT LEAST 5 people wearing camouflage. Camo is like the new black in southern Illinois.
5. "Noodlin'" and "frog giggin'" are considered real, fun activities. If you don't know what those are, Urban Dictionary probably does. That also means you must not be from Southern Illinois.
6. You know at least one person who is a coal miner or who is related to a coal miner. Or extremely passionate about coal miners.
7. The only fun things to do are outside. Places like Garden of the God's (pictured above), Burden Falls or Bell Smith Springs are fun and popular places.
8. One of the most exciting things for me personally, is that you live near the biggest KFC in the United States. Located in my hometown, Harrisburg. If you don't think that's cool, then you're clearly not from southern Illinois. Don't believe me? Google it.
9. Everybody LITERALLY knows everybody. And everyone has everyone else on social media.
10. If you smell smoke, you won't be too alarmed. It's probably just a bonfire happening somewhere near you. If you want too, you can probably just show up and nobody would even care. Gotta love southern hospitality!
11. High school football games are the poppin' place to be on Friday nights.
12. There is typically country music playing in every restaurant or store you walk into and if you're from southern Illinois, you probably know all the words.
13. The closest thing we have to greek life in southern Illinois is FFA (Future Farmers of America.)
14. Keystone is the most popular choice of dirt cheap beer.
15. When a new store or restaurant opens in town, it's a HUGE deal.
16. When giving directions, we usually refer to peoples houses instead of street names. "Take a left by Sarah's moms house, then keep going straight."
17. Little family owned restaurants usually have the best food and definitely have the best sweet tea.
18. We don't usually get new students so when we do, it's a pretty big deal. By the end of their first day, everyone knows their name, address, phone number, etc.
19. Southern IL is 99.9% republican. But, thanks to Cook County, we're a democratic state.
20. You can't go into Walmart without seeing at least 4 people you know. And there's a pretty good chance their going to be in pajamas.
21. There are Cardinal's fans, EVERYWHERE.
22. A trip to St. Louis feels like a trip to NYC.
23. Everyone knows what Mossy Oak is. If you don't, then you're 100% not from Southern Illinois.
24. Going to Walmart at midnight to try and get kicked out is considered fun. WHY.
25. When someone moves away for college, everyone knows about it.
26. Hearing "yee yee!" screamed out of a truck window is completely, 100% normal. Just southern Illinois things.
If all of these things interest you, then Southern Illinois might be the right place for you. If all of these things scare you, then stay far, far away. Growing up in southern Illinois is definitely an experience, to say the least.
