Living in a small town; either ya love it, or hate it. Despite your feelings about it, here are some things you get used to when living in a tiny town...
1. Everyone knows everyone's car
Don't think you can get away with texting and driving, speeding, or doing anything you shouldn't be doing because 1) people will see your car and know it's you and 2) definitely call you out.
2. Running errands is a major process
Whether you're running to the grocery store for your mom, going to the bank, or grabbing a bite to eat from your favorite deli– prepare to see at least 5 parents, neighbors, or friends of your parents who will all say strikingly similar, repetitive, and annoying things...
"Oh honey you got so big! So grown up, you look great!"
"Mom told me you're doing so well at school!!"
"Soooooo, anyone special?"
3. You know all the gossip
The people in your town and all the stupid things they do never fail to keep you entertained.
4. People hear everything about you though....
The gossip thing is a 2 way street...
5. The deli knows your order
A bacon, egg, and cheese with a coffee at any deli is a normal order; but at your deli they don't even have to ask if you want "salt, pepper, ketchup" or how you like your coffee– it's just a given.
6. Don't think you can get away with ANYTHING
By the time you enter a beer distributor, liquor store, or beverage place, 7 people will have already saw you, 2 of which (at some point) will discreetly bring it up to your parents.
"How's Caroline doing? It's funny, she's only a sophomore right? I could have sworn I saw her at the liquor store the other day!!!"
7. Your high school legacy lives on
Whether its for the better or the worse, if you went to a small high school, you can almost guarantee the grades under you know very well who you are. Whether your name is brought up by a high school teacher who has your younger sibling in class, "Oh great, another one..." or someone mentions something incredibly stupid you did in high school, your high school self never really dies.
8. Dating is... well, weird.
Your best friend is most likely dating your ex's brother, who happens to be your neighbor, who's best friend happens to be dating your cousin...
9. Nothing really changes
Coming home is comforting because you know what to expect; same little town, same people... When a new store opens its either a complete game changer and people are so excited, or the "won't even last a week" comments begin.
10. Hearing phrases like, "The people here never leave."
A small town; where our parents most likely went to high school and partied together, a place where they then settled down and raised their families. A town where you grew up playing wiffleball and manhunt in the streets, and now everyone knows your name and what college you go to, a place where the people complain about wanting to "leave" and "get out of " yet always come back to. Growing up in a small town can be interesting, and all that comes with it can be overwhelming at times, but your small town, and everyone in it, is home.
