Growing up in a small town shapes you in a completely different way than growing up in the city does.

Sometimes, when you meet somebody, you can just tell they grew up in a small town.

Here are 10 reasons why:

1. You Are More Likely To Stay Out Of Trouble

Everyone, and I mean everyone, knows you. If you get yourself into trouble, you will be the talk of the town. The fact that your name could circulate the entire town within the matter of two hours should stop you from getting into too much trouble... and if it doesn't, it looks like you're learning the hard way.

2. You Truly Understand The Word “Community"

When something terrible happens, or even something great, everyone from around town gets together to mourn or celebrate. You won’t truly ever know what a community is, unless you’ve lived in a small town and were privileged the opportunity to really be part of one.

3. You Are Welcoming

Your whole life, you’ve grown up around the same people. When somebody new comes to town, walks into class, or plays against you in a sport, there is no hesitation to welcome them to your community and make them feel at home. You are blessed with the welcoming aspect somebody in the city is unable to have, because they cross new people every hour of every day, and don’t have time to constantly welcome others.

4. You Take Control Of Your Own Life

Living in a small town has always given you more freedom. There aren’t as many people to worry about running into, impressing, or causing trouble with just as there aren’t as many parking violations, disruptive neighbors, or strict city rules.

5. You Understand The Meaning Of A True Friendship

You are around the same people from preschool until high school. You understand you’re most likely going to be around them for fourteen plus years of your life, and that there’s almost nothing worth ending a possible life-long friendship over. You realize that you probably shouldn’t date Freddie after finding out he likes you, since your best-friend has had a crush on him for over a year now and that’s something that would obviously cause issues.

6. You Understand You Can’t Always Have Everything Your Way

“Oh, you wanted Taco Bell? Sorry.. I brought you McDonald’s because that’s all we have up town and I didn’t want to drive 20 minutes to get you a taco that would’ve been mushy by the time I got back.”...It’s self-explanatory.

7. You Are Better At Saving Money

You know that gas isn’t cheap, especially when it takes you 40 minutes just to drive to your one hour long class on Wednesdays. You also don’t have the option to spend as much as if you were to live in the city… I mean, what would you spend all your money on in a small town? 43 gas station donuts, and some pool floats from the dollar store? Okay, maybe I can relate to spending a little extra.

8. You Don’t Judge As Much

Living in a small town gives you the chance to get to know somebody a lot faster, seeing you’ll end up conversing with them at some point or another… might as well form an impression after getting to know them ahead of time, since it’ll have to happen sooner or later.

9. You Are More Appreciative Of High End Restaurants, And Restaurants In General

As briefly covered in #6, you have almost no food options. You’ll learn to be thankful for Red Lobster when you’re craving crab legs but don’t want to drive 40 minutes just go get some. Eventually, you’ll probably find yourself sitting in a restaurant thinking about how nice it would be to have something like this much closer to home, but realize if that were the case, you wouldn’t be as appreciative... and you may also be about 37 pounds heavier.

10. You’re Not Uptight About Long Car Rides

You’re used to having to drive a decent amount of time to go shopping, get some food, attend your classes, see a movie, and so on... that when your family decides to take a vacation by car instead of a plane, you don’t even second guess it. You couldn’t care less about the car ride anyway, you’re more focused on the beach instead of the manure reeking corn fields.

Growing up in a small town has its benefits, as well as Its inconveniences. All in all though, If you compared somebody who grew up in a small town versus somebody who grew up in they city, you’ll see the differences.

Don’t get me wrong. Some of my greatest friends come from the city... but I tend to see better qualities over-all with those from a small town.

...but maybe I'm a little biased.