Moving to the Midwest for college, I have noticed that it can be very different from where I am from. I have started to miss a few things about my old Kentucky home, and so here are a few things that happened when I moved away from Kentucky and in particular Louisville, Kentucky.
1. You notice that everyone has an accent.
I have three roommates who are from the Cleveland, Ohio area and the first thing I noticed about them was their strong accent. The way they say certain words can make you cringe as that sort of pronunciation is completely foreign to you. The harsh "o" sounds coming out almost like a short "a" sounds can be very alarming at first, but you will get used to it, eventually (hopefully).
2. You have very different words for common items.
Coke versus pop or soda, you all versus you guys, just to name a few examples of words that midwesterners and I have disagreed on. You notice these differences right away as you attempt communicating and have to realize you are referring to the same thing, just not with the same words. One of my roommates cannot even fathom that I refer to a group of people as "you all" and finds it very odd.
3. No one knows how to properly pronounce Louisville except you.
Everyone I know not from Louisville will attempt to pronounce it correctly, but will ultimately fail. No one can master the proper vowel sounds in the word unless they have lived there for most of their lives.
4. You consider Oaks and Derby a holiday.
Not getting school off for the Oaks? What an abomination! No one will understand your city's obsession with horses running around a track for three minutes. They also will have no idea what the Oaks is.
5. Your cities handle snow very differently.
What? The city doesn't shut down for three days because there were three inches of snow? I have to go to school in this? There is bread, milk, and eggs still on the shelves? You get the picture.
6. People consider Bourbon and Whiskey the same thing.
This one nearly breaks my heart as we Kentuckians are very very passionate about our bourbon. Explaining the difference between the two can be daunting, but it must be done to educate others.
7. Once they hear you are from Kentucky, they check your feet to see if you are wearing shoes.
This one is slightly hyperbolic as not everyone has this stereotype about Kentucky; however, I have definitely been asked once of I enjoyed fried chicken and was met with surprising glances from others as they noticed I was wearing shoes.
8. You disagree on if Kentucky is part of the south.
Louisville is in an odd position as it is in the northernmost part of Kentucky. In my opinion, Louisville is unique as it has the culture of the north, but with the hospitality and flair of the south. Most cannot understand this mix as they assumed I would have a heavy southern accent and wear cowboy boots, which is definitely not the case.
9. Louisville is the smallest, big city ever.
Oh? Your uncle went to high school with my second cousin? Your grandfather is my dentist? It seems like everyone can find a connection with everyone somehow in this city. It will be very weird to then move to a city where you do not have any unique connections with someone.
I am proud of my Kentucky heritage and its strong culture full of tradition and I would not trade it for anything because it is the place that raised me.
