12 Things That Make People from Small Town Kentucky the Best People
By Jenn Shockley|Published November 20, 2015
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
If you are lucky enough to live in small town Kentucky, you know the people there are special. There is just something about growing up in a smaller community that does something to a person. It is such a different type of environment compared to living in a large city. (Not that there is anything wrong with growing up in a city.) Being a small town individual helps us see life through different eyes. Perhaps it is the lack of concrete we look at daily compared to more developed areas.
Here are 12 things that make small town people the best:
When you are born into a small town, grow up, and take your place in it, the people around you end up meaning a lot. You grow to recognize others in the community, and care when something happens.
Growing up, working and socializing together helps form bonds. Friendships tend to last a lifetime, as can some feuds, if you remember the Hatfields and McCoys. We basically end up having extended families for the most part.
All people can be helpful, but small towners tend to truly take care of their elderly and those in need. If a neighbor becomes too ill to cut their grass or gather their vegetables, others pitch in and help out. No one has to call around asking for assistance in most cases because someone in the community will notice.
If you grew up in a small town, you won’t question this. Word gets around in little communities a lot quicker than it does in a large city. If you lie, someone knows the truth and it will eventually come out. Thus, what is the point.
There might be professionals in the town, and there are always quite a few people considered as the Jack of all trades. They can do a little bit of everything from plumbing to carpentry, and tend to be a wonderful asset to the community.
Depending on the town, you might have grown up working hay fields, tobacco, dairy, garden or some type of farm. None of these jobs are easy work, so small town people tend to embrace jobs most big city people would flee from. No offense… but it is hard to envision a white collar corporate worker mucking a stall.
Most small town people have either worked on or visited a farm of some type. They have worn boots and a hat for something other than, "a look". They might have even ridden a horse or milked a cow, depending on the case.
Those that care about their reputation in a small town keep their nose clean, so to speak. One of the good and bad qualities of a small town is how quickly word spreads. Someone who gets caught stealing tends to automatically be labeled a thief, just as an example. Meanwhile, a person who helps everyone out, works and lives an honest life, will likely one day be considered a pillar of the community.
Being honorable is different from being honest, as in one works with actions or reputation, and honesty is simply speaking the truth. Usually if someone in a small town tells you they will do something, expect it to be done. Growing up in a small town means if you do anything dishonorable to someone, word will get out. No one wants to be considered a dishonorable person.
Growing up and living in a small town means you likely know, or know of most everyone else. This means the local plumber may be a neighbor, and the electrician may live on the other side of town, 8 blocks away… Either way, the local professionals tend to treat their neighbors/customers well, and see that the problems are fixed and the community thrives. In that regards, work is even volunteered when needed.
There are a lot of good things to say about country people, but the bottom line is they are just good people, in most cases. Big city people can be good too, but there is just a special type of genuine nature that just comes with growing up small town.
Our entire state is filled with good hearted individuals, which is part of what makes Kentucky what it is. People from small town Kentucky seem to be extra blessed with beautiful land and people. It seemed appropriate to use pictures depicting some of our serene little towns spread from border to border. These little communities are a strong part of the heartbeat of our beautiful Bluegrass State. What do you all think about small town Kentuckians?
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