Everyone knows there is a certain stigma to growing up in a small town. Everybody knows everybody else and all that jazz. I happen to have grown up in Dahlonega, Ga., a small town if there ever was one. I learned a lot growing up here and continue to learn as I am living here as an adult.
1. If anyone ever asks for directions you can assume that they are tourists.
I don't know how many times I was stopped from cutting our front yard and asked where Historic Downtown Dahlonega was. In my head I thought, you found it, now can I finish cutting it? I once sent a man to Walmart when he asked where the town meeting hall was. I am not proud of this moment, however, it did happen. The good news was the he couldn't find his way back to challenge my directions. Walmart will come up later in the article.
2. Brush your teeth and look presentable before going anywhere.
In Dahlonega, it is not safe to assume that you will not see anyone you know when going shopping or any other various activity. In fact you should assume the opposite. You will see everyone you know and they will know that you have not showered after cutting grass or just waking up. You will somehow be sucked into an in depth conversation where you can not avoid eye contact and hard Hs in a word.
3. Don't do anything you don't want your parents to find out about.
I learned this one in elementary school. My mother is a teacher and she always seemed to know that I had gotten in trouble even before I did. I would get texts from my Dad in high school asking me how the food was at Wendy's because someone would call or say that they had seen me. This also works when you are 22 years old and someone Snapchats you drunkenly clinging to a telephone pole 6 feet up.
4. If your parents are good people, you are good people.
I have been pulled over only three or four times in Dahlonega. It has never failed that the officer pulling me over has asked about my father or mother and given me a warning. I don't ask for this, these things just happen. It would drive me crazy if this happened to other people. Also, your Dad knows that you got pulled over too. Whoops.
5. When people ask what there is to do, you reply with Walmart.
Apparently Walmart is like Chuck E. Cheese for rednecks. I don't see the draw of parking an oversized mud covered truck with a rebel flag stuck to it in the middle of the Walmart parking lot, but the guys that barely made it out of high school seem to enjoy it. Ill let them have their fun while I get caught in a conversation that will not end for 30 more minutes with my grandmothers hairdresser.
6. There are helping hands everywhere.
The sense of community in a small town is much greater than anywhere else I have ever been. Whether it be the threat of being gossiped about later, or just plain old kindheartedness, people in a small town are much faster to help when someone is in need.
7. No matter where you go, you will always miss your little town.
I can't say that I am extremely well traveled. Heck, the only time I have been out of the country was when I went to Canada and everyone knows Canada doesn't count. But I can say that every time I have been away, I always want to come back to my little home town.
