When you hear someone say they're from Virginia Beach, it's done loud and proud. And if you ever claim you're from Virginia Beach and you actually aren't, you will get called out in a heartbeat. This hometown is unique with its part country, part city, and 100% beach town vibes.

Us locals are an odd mix of redneck beach bums that skate, surf, fish, hunt, go strawberry picking, get dressed up to spend the evening at a fancy function at one of the fancy hotels, AND attend a sold-out World Tour concert - all in one day - while also turning our noses up at the surrounding cities that just aren't Virginia Beach

Here are 38 signs that you were born and/or raised in VB:

1. If you call it “The Boulevard”

2. If you know what Seashore State Park is, and you know where all the good spots are for rope swings

3. If someone calls you a grit

4. If you know what a grit is

5. If you were born somewhere else

Virginia Beach has the biggest military base on the East Coast, bringing in military brats of all shapes and sizes. Either you, or someone you know, has some sort of connection to the military: my mama’s family is from the Philippines, and she moved to Virginia Beach when she was 10 after my Lolo was stationed here while he was in the Navy. My dad was in the Army and was born and raised in South Carolina.

6. If you don’t think it’s weird that the weather includes detailed information about pollen during “Pollen Season”, and you take it very seriously

7. When you know the entire city will shut down for even a chance of snow

8. If you’re white and love lumpia

9. If you’re Filipino

10. If you say “weak”

This word originates from VB. Don't believe me? Don't care.

11. If you’ve ever been to or had a Hurricane Party

You can find us at the beach during a hurricane, and preparations include generators, surfboards, beer, and not evacuating.

12. If you think it's weird that other people think it's weird to see seagulls in the winter

I remember one winter morning in high school when a friend and I were walking to PA, and seeing two people staring up at the sky. One of them asked in pure confusion, “Why are there still seagulls here?”

13. If you know what “PA” is in #12

14. When 90 degrees isn’t that hot to you

even though out-of-towners are complaining that it feels like they’re in the middle of the Amazon.

15. If you wear flip-flops year-round

16. If you hardcore judge someone for calling it a “boogie board”

17. If you hate tourist season

and avoid the Oceanfront because you know where the local spots are

18. When jet noise doesn’t stop your conversation

19. If playing on a mound of trash was a normal part of your childhood

and you pass this on to your own children.

20. When driving through tunnels that suddenly go underwater is perfectly acceptable and not at all frightening

AND NO REASON TO SLAM ON YOUR BREAKS AS YOU ENTER THE TUNNEL. You also aren't afraid of driving over super high bridges or drawbridges, because if you were, you'd never drive anywhere because of WATER

21. If you’ve played in flooded streets after it rains

and used a kayak or a surfboard to get around. And no, not a hurricane, or even during hurricane season. Just rain. Rain that has us all dreading the drive home from work because the drivers in VB CAN"T DRIVE IN THE RAIN. That's right, I said drivers in VB - there's a difference between them and us.

22. If you accept but still complain about VB’s bipolar weather

23. You still call it the Amphitheater

24. If you can’t understand why anyone would come vacation in Virginia Beach

You won’t experience a lot of southern hospitality here in the summer, and you will probably have locals shout at you to go home, especially in traffic. Yes, we are a beach town, but we don’t strive to be a tourist attraction.

25. If you ever went to Williamsburg for a class field trip

26. If you say “Y'all”

27. If you don’t think you have a southern accent

28. If you can spot a Navy squid from a mile away

29. If you go to ECSC, even though “Virginia Has No Waves”

30. If you remember Wild Water Rapids

31. If you remember what the area code used to be

That's right. It wasn't always the 757. Prior to 1996, we had a different area code.

32. If you know what is means when someone says they go to Gang Run

33. If you know what Neptune Festival is (and go)

34. If you know what sweet tea is supposed to taste like

35. If you know that Taste Unlimited is worth the long lines and prices

36. When you know you can stand on the corner of one 711 and see another

37. If you know that South Plaza is a trap, but still manage to get a speeding ticket at least once

38. If you understand these and pass them on