When growing up, you don’t really question your environment too much or what exactly is going on around you. Often, if you live in a small town you only realize all the quirks and charm once you leave.
While growing up you don’t really question that tractors, horses, four-wheelers, dirtbikes, or lawnmowers aren’t technically allowed on the main roads. If you grow up in a small town you understand quickly that everyone knows everyone so whatever you do it gets around whether you want it to or not.
But no matter where you grow up there are always things that are specific to that environment that you only understand if you’ve grown up there or lived there for years.
So if you are from a small town or just want to know what it is like, here are 12 things that show what it’s truly like to grow up there.
1. Variety of Things To Do
#GrowingUpInASmallTown gave your opportunities like this pic.twitter.com/aoKJyC0GlG
— The Real ColtyBear (@ColtyBear15) July 18, 2015
If you live in a small town you’ve definitely said before “there’s nothing to do around here“. Mostly because you’ve done it all or because you’ve grown up there and it all just seems the same. However, if you ever tried living anywhere else especially in a city you realize just how many different opportunities smalls towns offer. Specifically, taking the time to explore or simply just appreciate all the nature that exists around you.
2. Teachers Are Just Like Us
Go to a Toby Keith concert and my 5th grade History teacher sits behind me. #growingupinasmalltown pic.twitter.com/RMRN0Qmtqc
— Kendall Hayes (@kendall_jane97) August 1, 2015
Outside of school our teachers are just like us! It may be hard to accept especially when if the teacher is strict but they are normal human beings outside of work. Someone who you can even run into at a concert! Just like this girl ran into her 5th-grade History teacher at a Toby Keith concert.
3. Everyone Knows Everyone
The basic description of #GrowingUpInASmallTown pic.twitter.com/YF1sTgG3fD
— 𝐊 𝐀 𝐈 𝐓 (@kkaaaait) July 16, 2015
When living in a small town you quickly realize everyone knows everyone. This picture basically describes perfectly. If one person knows something then the whole town knows something.
4. Lawnmowers Qualify As Cars
When you grow up in a small town you understand that lawnmowers qualify as cars. So if you need to run to the convenience store or gas station really quick just park it like a normal car. So if you aren’t from a small town don’t be alarmed to see a lawnmower or tractor on the road or even parked at the local gas station to get some snacks.
5. County Fair
6. Pets Are Allowed At Picture Day
7. The Dreaded Where Are You From Question
#GrowingUpInASmallTown when you tell someone where you are from and they look at you like pic.twitter.com/o5WcDvhdFg
— trev (@t3ensley) July 17, 2015
If you are from a small town you know exactly what it’s like when you get asked the question about where are you from. Odds are if you aren’t from there you won’t know. Even more so they won’t know any place relatively close unless it’s at least an hour or more away. Close enough!
8. A Perfect Day
There are so many things about small towns that are just really really unique. Where many often travel all over the world to ride horseback on vacation for small-town kids they don’t have to look any further than their backyard. For those small-town kids, a perfect day can consist of taking those horses out with their best friend.
9. Parking Lots Full of Pickup Trucks
10. People Have Pet Racoons
you know you're in Powhatan when someone brings their pet raccoon to lunch #GrowingUpInASmallTown pic.twitter.com/q1uZcxKy2y
— a b b y (@abbigailmurray) July 17, 2015
Growing up in a small town people can have some pretty interesting pets. Take this for example where someone shared that in their small town someone brought in their pet raccoon to lunch! A rather strange but surprisingly cute sight.
11. Waiting On The Train To Pass
#growingupinasmalltown having to wait on a train..😑 pic.twitter.com/8V9ToBEeRZ
— Jenny From the Block (@_jennydenton) August 7, 2015
If there’s one thing you do not want to get stuck waiting on when you are in a rush is the train. You really never know how long it’ll take to pass depending on how many train cars are attached or what they are carrying. In small towns, if your route to work or wherever you need to has to cross over train tracks make sure you leave time to encounter a train.
12. Lawnmower On A Road Etiquette
#GrowingUpInASmallTown When you don't think twice about a man driving a lawnmower through the four way stop. pic.twitter.com/nCzLXR9px8
— Makensey Hogue (@kenseylauryn) July 17, 2015
In small towns there are many strange things that if you live there you don’t think twice about. Like seeing a man driving a lawnmower approach a four-way stop. Which you treat just like a regular car.