Florida’s Beaches vs. West Virginia’s Mountains

I had to go to Florida to take care of some things this past January. As it is obvious, the culture of Florida and the culture of West Virginia aren’t the same. It’s always interesting to me to see the differences in places. For example, in the Dayton, Ohio area, where I was born and spent a few years of my life, they have a grocery store called Meijer (and it is LEGIT) and a restaurant chain called Frisch’s Big Boy (you never call it by the full name. It’s most always Frisch’s). In southern West Virginia, you’ve got the super-incredible Magic Mart. In Florida, it’s the same way.

So just how different is Florida from West Virginia?

First of all, there’s that whole humidity thing. Yeah, that’s annoying. In the seven years I lived in Florida, it was always miserable. There’s a reason why southern gals have big hair. They can’t help it. No amount of anti-frizz serum or super hold hairspray can control that humidity.

Next, you’ve got all that flat land and all the trees look THE SAME. I’m telling you, I’ve been spoiled living in West Virginia for the past eight years. Mountain driving is so much more engaging than driving in a straight line for fifty miles. I don’t have the statistics or anything, but I’m telling you, if there were a bunch of Stephanie Noel clones driving around in Florida, there would be a lot more fatal car wrecks due to falling asleep at the wheel.

However, Florida does have two of the greatest places on the planet: Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Zaxby’s. If you’re familiar with these places, you understand why that automatically earns Florida tons of cool points. If you aren’t familiar with them, you have never lived. Listen, email me. We’ll take a road trip. We’ll get you some chicken and a smoothie, and you won’t regret it. Plus, I like to think of myself as a great road trip buddy.

And speed limits. While driving in those aforementioned back areas, the speed will change and you will have no idea why. Literally, within a mile, the speed limit went from 45 mph to 55 mph, and then back up to 60 mph. That was the end of it. They really are speed demons down in Florida. (Their interstate speed limit is 65 mph, which is totally lame!).

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Have you ever heard of the grocery store Piggly Wiggly? Let me hear a “Woot woot!” if you know what I’m talking about. Piggly Wiggly is seriously the coolest place on earth. I don’t think it really has anything to do with the contents of the grocery store, like “Oh yeah, look at all that corn over there. The green giant on those corn cans looks so much more green and giant at Piggly Wiggly.” NO. The only reason Piggly Wiggly is cool is because it is called “PIGGLY WIGGLY.” PIGgly WIGgly. Piggly Wiggly. Yes. That’s cool, and you know it. They sell shirts for Pig Wig enthusiasts. I wanted one so bad, but sadly, I didn’t get one. Maybe next time! [I’ve been informed that Her Campus EIC Ashley Young owns TWO Piggly Wiggly shirts! What a gal.]

Up here in our parts of West Virginia, we’ve got places called Tobacco Outlet and Smoker Friendly. In Florida, they’re all creative with their (wait for it)…Mr. Cheap Butts. Admit it, you just laughed harder than you wanted at the name of their tobacco stores. My dad and I were rolling.

Most of us have probably been in a Dollar General store, but can you say you’ve been in a Dollar General Market? I was astonished. They went crazy on that Dollar General stuff. I haven’t gone in there…yet. By the way, the Market changed its color from the traditional yellow to green. That’s throwing off the vibe for me, but whatever floats their Market boat.

And we’re all familiar with “Deer Crossing” signs in West Virginia, or, heck, up in the north. Deer will be on the interstate, on your home street, in your yard. In Florida, they have “Bear Crossing” signs. BEAR CROSSING. I could turn that into a Jesus Juke and say “Cross Bearing,” but…nope, so I’ll say bear crossing. In my opinion, that’s a little more scary than deer.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse from my trip to Florida. Do you have any cool cultural differences to share with us from where you live or somewhere that you’ve visited? Tell us in the comments below!