What We Don't See

West Virginia Day, June 20, is a holiday for some. In honor of that holiday, instead of writing about what West Virginia has going for it, I will comment about how someone who has spent most of her life in West Virginia might feel when she leaves, and what she notices is different about being away from home.
Outside of West Virginia, strangers don't smile at each other and say "hello."
Outside of West Virginia, there aren't that many mountains. Much of the land is flat, so the scenery is extremely limited in scope. I would compare it to the view of one's hand, turned flat so that all you see is your thumb, compared to holding your hand up sideways, so that you see all your fingers.
Outside of West Virginia, it is not so humid, snowy, green, or ablaze with red, orange and yellow (depending on the season) (see above sideways vs. flat hand comparison).
Outside of West Virginia, people can be generally rude, unfeeling, detached and in a hurry.
Outside of West Virginia, drivers cut quickly, abruptly, and dangerously in front of other cars in traffic.
Outside of West Virginia, people habitually shout and gesture at drivers who irritate them.
Outside of West Virginia, there are actually lots and lots of people of non-Caucasian nationalities and non-Caucasian ethnicities.
Outside of West Virginia, there are an uncanny number of luxury vehicles being driven around by people who can afford them.
Outside of West Virginia, especially in big cities, there are countless homeless people.
Outside of West Virginia, there are certain areas where it would seem unsafe and scary to stop and ask for directions.
Outside of West Virginia, especially in big cities, there is a huge gap between the haves and the have-nots.
Outside of West Virginia, cities and communities invest millions in arts, aesthetics, zoos, museums, and cultural attractions.
Outside of West Virginia, when you tell some people you are from West Virginia, they are surprised you don't sound or look or seem like you're from West Virginia. Whatever that means.
Outside of West Virginia, if you go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, odds are very good that you will run into someone you know who is from West Virginia.
Outside of West Virginia, there are a lot of really, really, really tall buildings, and few, if any, mountains or hills.
Outside of West Virginia, outside many of the small, small towns, when in a restaurant, it doesn't feel as much as if you're in a 1950s time warp. You don't see so many diners that offer fried chicken, french fries from freezer to deep fryer, country-fried "steak," bacon, sausage, sunny-side up eggs and bad coffee.
Outside of West Virginia, cigarette smoking in public is an oddity.