1. Learn To Love Peanuts, Or At Least Fake It
Peanuts are a huge deal all around
Virginia. From peanut soup, to peanut pie, to meat from hogs with a strict peanut diet, everyone around this state loves this legume.
If you’re moving to Virginia anytime soon, start developing a taste for peanuts if you haven’t already.
2. Don’t Confuse The Hokies And Wahoos
The Hokies belong to Virginia Tech and the Wahoos belong to the University of Virginia. They’re bitter rivals and they’ll take it personally if you get the two mixed up.
3. Better Hone Those Crab Cracking Skills
Virginians go crazy for crabs, thanks to the many years that this animal has been a key part of the Virginia cuisine. All Virginians are crab cracking pros, making it hard not to stare as they dissect these animals with scary accuracy.
4. There Are These Glorious Things Called Fried Pies
A favorite dessert in this region, fried pies are basically a dessert pastry that’s similar to a turnover, stuffed full of fruit.
The big difference, though, is that these pies are deep-fried which makes them even tastier.
5. Virginians Have Been Shucking Oysters Since Seven
If you think Virginians are good at cracking crabs, you should see them shuck an oyster. Another native protein that’s been a staple of the Virginian diet for years, you’ll want to get your hands on as many of these little guys as possible.
6. It Will Seem Like Everyone Is In The Military
With 27 different military bases scattered around the state of Virginia, the number of servicemen and servicewomen in this area is high, so you’ll see plenty of folks walking around in uniform.
7. Eating Rabbit Is Totally Normal Here
Unlike most Americans, many Virginians have no problem eating small animals like squirrels, opossums, and rabbits.
They’re most commonly found in dishes like Brunswick Stew, a thick tomato based meat and veggie soup. Despite what you might think, they’re delicious.
8. West Virginia Is Not Virginia
Just because these two states share a name and a border doesn’t mean they share anything else. They’re basically completely different worlds and most Virginians love to jokingly rip on their neighbor to the northwest for being filled with toothless hillbillies.
9. That Southern Accent Rings Clear
If you’re a fan of that silky, smooth Southern drawl, you’re in luck…Virginians love to flaunt it. Just hope that it rubs off on your own voice sooner than later.
10. Brace Yourself For That Humidity
While Virginia is home to some awesome weather most of the time, there’s a good amount of humidity that comes along with the heat.
Even just stepping outside to water the plants can have you dripping in sweat. Don’t sweat the pit stains though, Virginians are used to everyone having them by now.
11. Tea Here Comes Super Sweet And Ice Cold
The tea here comes in a tall glass, filled with ice, loaded with sugar, and topped with a fresh slice of lemon. If you want the hot variety, you might have to put some effort into hunting it down or just make it yourself.
12. History Is Everywhere
One of the coolest aspects of Virginian life is simply how long important things have been going on in the area. From wars to historic political events, Virginia has played a major role in shaping today’s America.
13. Virginia Is Basically A Second Napa Valley
Virginians have been perfecting the art of making wine since the early days of colonization in the 17th century and new technology that’s been developed within the last 20 years has made it much easier to grow grapes in this hot and humid part of America. Today, there are over 230 wineries in Virginia.
14. The Bushes And Gardens Aren’t The Main Attraction At Busch Gardens
One of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, Busch Gardens in
Williamsburg is home to over 50 rides, including seven roller coasters.
Sure, the plants are great, but it’s hard to really pay attention to the scenery when you’re flying around the Apollo’s Chariot track at over 70 miles per hour.
15. DC Is Super Close, But NOT In Virginia
While
Washington DC bumps up against Virginia, it’s in the District of Colombia, hence the “DC” at the end of the name.
For some reason, out-of-towners tend to have a hard time grasping this. Of course, the people in Virginia tend to treat it like its part of their state so that doesn’t help.
16. Be Careful, Smithfield Ham Is Extremely Addictive
Made from only the finest hogs, just the scent of a succulent cut of Smithfield Ham will have your mouth watering. It’s cured and salted before being aged for at least 6 months, and will be some of the best pork you’ve ever tasted.
17. The Beaches Here Are Totally Awesome
Virginia might not be well known for its coastline like
Florida or
California, but a beautiful beach is a beautiful beach regardless of where you’re at. One of the first things you should do after moving to the area is to find some sand to stick your toes in.
18. Beaches Aren’t All This State Has
Beaches aren’t the only cool natural attraction in Virginia, it’s also got the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for their distinctive bluish haze, these rolling peaks are part of the Appalachian mountain range, stretching for several hundred miles parallel to the East Coast.
19. You Might Need A Gun To Fit In
When it comes to Virginia stereotypes, the assumption that the state is filled with gun lovers is definitely true. Not only is Virginia home to tons of gun owners, it’s home to a ton of people that actually use their guns on a regular basis to bag food for the kitchen table.
If you’re driving through rural Virginia and hear a gunshot in the distance, don’t worry too much.
20. If Someone Invites You To Mount Trashmore, They’re Not Kidding
Despite its funny and fairly gross name, Mount Trashmore is a city park in Virginia Beach that spans over 165 acres of greenspace. It got the name from being built on top of an abandoned landfill. Don’t worry, the smells are long gone.
21. Commonwealth Pride Is A Big Deal
If you’re wondering what the “C” in VCU stands for, it’s “commonwealth.” Virginia is one of four commonwealths in America, among
Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, and
Kentucky.
These days, a commonwealth is basically the same as a state, it’s just one more thing that makes Virginia extra special.
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