Recommended for you

13 Signs You Grew Up in a Small Town As Told by The Office

The struggles of growing up in a small town.

May 24, 2016

13 Signs You Grew Up in a Small Town As Told by The Office

I grew up on Shelter Island, which is an island in between the two forks of Long Island (so an island off of an island). With a year-round population of about 3,000 people (it is mainly a summer and weekend tourist hot spot), Shelter Island is one of the smallest towns on Long Island. As someone who graduated high school with 20 people (10 boys and 10 girls), I know the struggles of growing up in a small town all too well.

Here are just a few things that I have learned from growing up in a small town:

1. Literally EVERYONE knows everyone's business.

If you tell your friend something, chances are that 10 people will know about it in the next five minutes.

2. Don't want to be seen today? Too bad, because you are going to run into everyone you know in the supermarket.

Oh, and they also want to know EVERYTHING that you've been up to.

3. Everyone remembers the kid who thew up in kindergarten.

4. Visiting your old high school teachers is totally normal and not weird.

5. Hope you like everyone because you'll be with them from kindergarten until you leave for college!

6. Want to get something to eat late at night? Too bad because everything closes at 7pm!

7. Yes, everyone still remembers that time you farted during class in middle school.

8. Not even attempting to use your fake ID at local bars because everyone knows how old you are.

Even when you're 21 it's still weird. Who wants to see their friends' parents at the bar?

9. Close-minded people who are mentally 50 years behind.

It's 2016, people!

10. Spending your off-days in the summer at the beach.

That is if you're from a beach community.

11. Quick trip to the mall? More like 30-45 minute drive to the nearest shopping center.

12. The new kid in class is suddenly the coolest thing to ever happen, and everyone wants to befriend them.

Sweet, a new human to interact with!

13. You can't flip off the people you hate at graduation because you will probably run into them again- tomorrow.

To all of my fellow small-town folks:

Although it can be tough at times, small communities have to stick together, and we will always have each other's back!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

6 Signs You're A Workaholic

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

Rowan University

241

kaboompics

After turning 16, our parents start to push us to get a job and take on some responsibility. We start to make our own money in order to fund the fun we intend on having throughout the year. But what happens when you've officially become so obsessed with making money that you can't even remember the last day you had off? You, my friend, have become a workaholic. Being a workaholic can be both good and bad. It shows dedication to your job and the desire to save money. It also shows that you don't have a great work-life balance. Here are the signs of becoming a workaholic.

Keep Reading...Show less

workaholic

Student Life

Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

Keuka College

1744

Google Images

Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.

1. Eat

Keep Reading...Show less

college

Recommended for you

13 Signs You Grew Up in a Small Town As Told by The Office

The struggles of growing up in a small town.

1. Literally EVERYONE knows everyone's business.

2. Don't want to be seen today? Too bad, because you are going to run into everyone you know in the supermarket.

3. Everyone remembers the kid who thew up in kindergarten.

4. Visiting your old high school teachers is totally normal and not weird.

5. Hope you like everyone because you'll be with them from kindergarten until you leave for college!

6. Want to get something to eat late at night? Too bad because everything closes at 7pm!

7. Yes, everyone still remembers that time you farted during class in middle school.

8. Not even attempting to use your fake ID at local bars because everyone knows how old you are.

9. Close-minded people who are mentally 50 years behind.

10. Spending your off-days in the summer at the beach.

11. Quick trip to the mall? More like 30-45 minute drive to the nearest shopping center.

12. The new kid in class is suddenly the coolest thing to ever happen, and everyone wants to befriend them.

13. You can't flip off the people you hate at graduation because you will probably run into them again- tomorrow.

To all of my fellow small-town folks:

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.

2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.

3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.

4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.

5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.

6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!

7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.

8. Why am I not famous yet?

9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!

10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.

11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.

12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.

13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.

14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.

15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?

16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.

17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.

18. Maybe I should post myself singing.

19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.

20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.

Normal people wouldn't understand

1. Having time to nap between classes or at all.

2. Waking up 10 minutes before your class starts and making it there in time.

3. Making it to class in general

4. Only having to hit the snooze button three times.

5. When you didn't do the homework and the teacher decides not to collect it for that day.

6. Getting that "I'm sorry, but class is cancelled" email.

7. Finding a quiet seat in the library.

8. Actually enjoying a class and understanding all of the material.

9. Having a friend to eat lunch with.

10. Finishing an assignment before the due date.

11. When there is free food on campus.

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

1. You can't remember your last day off.

2. Whenever someone asks to hang out, you're working.

3. When you do see your friends, you're in a "treating mood."

4. You work so much you don't have time to spend the money you're making.

5. You're too tired to function when you aren't working.

6. Finally seeing your friends and having way too much to catch up on.

A summer well spent.

1. How to shower in less than 10 minutes.

2. Being comfortable sweating, like all the time.

3. The beauty of not wearing makeup.

4. Naps are essential for survival.

5. Even extreme extroverts need alone time.

6. How to remember names in a few short hours.

7. The freedom in sharing your faults.

8. Showering every day is not necessary.

9. Fake it til you make it.

10. Bugs are the enemy.

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

1. Eat

2. Be seen running across campus

3. Sleep

4. Skip Class

5. Blurt out

6. Wear dresses

7. Wear Crocs

8.Run on 4 hours of sleep

9. Use a Laptop

10. Crying

Subscribe to our
Newsletter