1. Folks In Virginia Beach Are Masters At Keeping It Casual
In Virginia Beach, casual is the only way people know how to dress. The consistently nice weather and the laid-back attitude of Virginia Beach residents makes it the perfect environment for casual attire.
In Virginia Beach dressed up is a polo instead of a T-shirt, but most of the time it’s a T-shirt, shorts, and crocs or flip-flops. Life is sweet, so keep it simple.
2. VBers Know All The Best Spots For Hitting The Beach
You’d think that because their city name is “Virginia Beach” that they’re always hitting the waves...but that’s really not true.
The oceanfront is known for being
insanely touristy (like, so packed you can’t even move touristy) so VBers avoid it like the plague and instead head to secret beaches known only to locals (which they’d tell you about, but then they’d have to kill you...).
3. VBers Don’t Hate—They Skate
Many people may think that because VBers live right on the water, they’re all surfer dudes. But this also isn’t true: the true VB sport is skateboarding.
Pretty much everyone here knows how to ride. The best skate park is at Mt. Trashmore (yes, that’s a real place), but seeing as the skateboard is the prefered mode of transportation you can pretty much ride anywhere.
4. It’s Either “Vah” Beach or VB—If You Call It Anything Else, You’re Not From Around Here
Want to instantly tip your outsider status off to a VBer? Then just call Virginia Beach “V Beach”. And if you simply call it “Virginia Beach,” they’ll probably still assume you’re a tourist just looking to soak up all of their precious sun.
If you truly want to fit in in VB, you call it VB or VA Beach (pronounced “Vah” Beach).
5. Folks In VB Have All Braved The Outdoors During A Hurricane
Ehhh, hurricane, shmurricane… can it really be so bad when VBers been weathering these bad boys for decades?
While it’s true the hurricanes can get pretty bad in VB, VBers are not faint at heart. They’ll pretty much run out to Farm Fresh regardless of the weather (which, by the way, is almost always open during even the worst storms!).
That being said, it doesn’t mean their local news cast won’t get super, hilariously judgey about their decision to run out in the middle of a hurricane...especially when they run out in just their underwear (check out this funny but NSFW
local news cast if you don’t believe me!)
6. There Is Nothing Fishy About The Tacos At Gringo’s
Being so close to the water, VBers know a thing or two about their seafood. A local favorite is fish tacos and the best place to get them is Gringo’s. But other good seafood joints include Tautog’s and Steinhilber’s Restaurant (not too touristy, and delicious food!)
7. People In VB Can’t Fall Asleep Without The Soothing Sounds Of Jets Overhead
In VB, this is a bit of a running joke. Being so near the Naval Air Station, VBers have grown accustomed to the military planes that fly over the city. Another way to spot a tourist is to see who jumps out of their seat when that piercing jet noise goes overhead. A
true VBer doesn’t react!
8. VBers Love Profanity, Despite All Signs To The Contrary
Maybe it’s all the sailors that live here, but, regardless of the reason, VBers curse. A lot. Which makes the “no swearing” signs around the boardwalk all the more ironic. What can we say? VBers just aren’t afraid to tell you what’s what—in the most creative way possible!
9. Folks In VB Knows Busch Gardens Is Better Than Disney World
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA is how VBers spend their childhood summers…and both of these awesome amusement parks definitely turn into guilty pleasures as adults.
VBers just can’t shake the awesome memory of seeing Busch Gardens for the first time as a kid—it’s ingrained in the soul of all VBers and stays with them forever!
10. The Neptune Festival Is A Trident And True Summer Celebration
The Neptune Festival is a great way to understand the culture of VB. It’s a huge music, food, and cultural festival that attracts 500,000 people every year.
The featured attraction of The Neptune Festival is the Neptune's International Sandsculpting Competition drawing a field of master sand artists from around the world, it is also the largest competition of its kind in the country. In addition four stages of musical entertainment, an art and craft show featuring over 275 artist, fireworks, and more make this a beloved local favorite and one of the top 100 festivals in the United States. And since it happens in September, this is where the true VBers get to reclaim their beaches, their seafood, their restaurants, and their local culture!
VBye, bye tourists! Leave the festival for the true VBers to enjoy!
Feature Image Source: Flickr user m01229
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Virginia Beach in the comments below!
