West Virginians constantly have to deal with a lot of different stereotypes. Most of the time, when lists similar to this one appear, the signs will all be things like " you go mudding," "y'all is proper language," and then there's always a relative joke in there somewhere. But, these kind of lists really never applied to me. In fact, I don't think they really ever applied to most West Virginians. So, here are some actual signs you're from West Virginia.
1. People are surprised you don't have an accent.
When you meet someone and tell them you're from WV, they're shocked and ask why you don't have an accent or say something like "Oh, you sound normal, though."
2. You don't have to drive more than 20 minutes to see an amazing view.
In a state completely engulfed in mountains it isn't hard to find a beautiful view. Most people can just look out their windows and see rolling hills in the distance.
3. Deer hang out in your backyard as much as you do.
At least a couple times a week an entire family of deer just hang out in the backyard. If you have a garden that isn't fenced it, they probably stop by and eat your plants. Otherwise, they just eat whatever they can find.
4. You're always confused when you go to another state and no one knows what a pepperoni roll is.
You know they're pretty much exclusive to WV, but they're so common in schools, gas stations, and grocery stores that you just forget the rest of country doesn't know what they are. You're also still baffled as to how they aren't spreading to the rest of the country.
5. You describe how far away something is in time rather than distance.
This may not be exclusive to WV, but almost everyone here will tell you a location is a 20 minutes away or two hours away, rather than 10 miles or 130 miles. If someone told me a place is 30 miles away I'd just look at them and ask them how far that is; I need a time measurement.
6. You've had to explain that West Virginia is not the same as Virginia.
"Oh! How close are you to Richmond?" Pretty far, actually. About a state away.
7. You get emotional when Country Roads starts playing.
Maybe you don't, but at least one person you're with does. But, you probably get emotional, too.
8. You can name multiple celebrities from WV.
Brad Paisley, Jennifer Garner... they're important and you want to make sure people know where they came from. Right here.
9. You call a shopping cart a buggy.
I didn't even realize this was weird for the first 16 years of my life. We went to the store and we got a buggy. I was aware it was also called a cart, I just thought everyone called it by both names.
10. When someone says Charleston you don't think of South Carolina.
Charleston, South Carolina never comes to mind before your state capital.
11. You take a lot of pride in your state.
You love WV, you'll always defend it, and you probably have an abundance of clothes that have your state's name on them.
