There’s something special about small town folks.  They wave hello when passing each other, both in their cars and on the street.  They are loyal to each other and to their sports teams.  They tend to stay in touch with childhood friends for their entire lives.  But that’s not all!  Here are some more things that make people from small town Missouri the very best people you will ever meet.

  1. They learn from a young age to watch their step or everyone in town would know their business…and tell their parents.

“Teens sharing a song” by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget - Flickr: Teens sharing a song. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons - When everybody in town knows everyone else, it’s hard to do anything without everyone knowing. So, you’d better be good!

  1. Whenever some sort of crisis or tragedy happens, neighbors bring you hot meals for weeks.

“Makaronilaatikko” by Suvi Korhonen - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Commons - It’s just what you do. I hope you like casseroles!

  1. They know where to find the best sunrises…

Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson, DVM With a clear view of the horizon, it’s easier to see the beauty of dawn.

  1. …sunsets

Flickr/ Kevin Schraer The setting sun and all its colors are often more visible with nature as its backdrop.

  1. …and clear, starry nights.

Flickr/ Taylor Bennett The clarity of the stars are amazing without the city lights getting in the way.

  1. They don’t take trips to the mall or other shopping destinations for granted.

Flickr/ scutter It might be quite a drive to the nearest mall, so trips there become all the more special.

  1. They know where are all the beautiful nature spots and hidden gems are.

Flickr/ Allen Gathmanj Not to mention, everyone has a favorite.

  1. They always remember where they came from…because they know how important that is.

Flickr/ J. Stephen Conn Even when they move away to a bigger city, they bring their small town roots with them.

  1. They understand and appreciate the fact that Missouri agriculture feeds the world.

Pixabay/ tpsdave Small town schools and businesses are full of farm families, and many young small town residents work in the fields for their first job.

  1. They will help you out when you’re in need.

“Catholic Charities Chicago, Photo 1 - Flickr - USDAgov” by U.S. Department of Agriculture - Catholic Charities Chicago, Photo 1. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons - Getting your car out of a snow bank, cutting your grass, providing food for struggling families…it’s just what you do.

  1. They are more well-rounded than most.

“Youth-soccer-indiana” by No machine-readable author provided. Tysto assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims).. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - Because there are less people, growing up everyone has the opportunity to try everything. You don’t have to “try out” you just “sign up.”

  1. They know how to maneuver the country roads.

Flickr/ Shellie Brannum Directions also come with landmarks like “red barn,” “Murphy’s Farm,” and “giant oak tree,” rather than street names.

  1. They actually get to know their neighbors.

Flickr/ Denise Cheng Large cities can be impersonal, but small town people all know each other, and actually spend time together.

  1. They’re proud of their hometown. And they care about the community.

Flickr/ J. Stephen Conn It’s not uncommon for residents to work together to improve the overall beauty and appeal of the town as a collective effort.

Do you agree with these observations?  What are some other things that make small town Missourians special?  Share in the comments below.

“Teens sharing a song” by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget - Flickr: Teens sharing a song. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons -

When everybody in town knows everyone else, it’s hard to do anything without everyone knowing. So, you’d better be good!

“Makaronilaatikko” by Suvi Korhonen - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Commons -

It’s just what you do. I hope you like casseroles!

Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson, DVM

With a clear view of the horizon, it’s easier to see the beauty of dawn.

Flickr/ Kevin Schraer

The setting sun and all its colors are often more visible with nature as its backdrop.

Flickr/ Taylor Bennett

The clarity of the stars are amazing without the city lights getting in the way.

Flickr/ scutter

It might be quite a drive to the nearest mall, so trips there become all the more special.

Flickr/ Allen Gathmanj

Not to mention, everyone has a favorite.

Flickr/ J. Stephen Conn

Even when they move away to a bigger city, they bring their small town roots with them.

Pixabay/ tpsdave

Small town schools and businesses are full of farm families, and many young small town residents work in the fields for their first job.

“Catholic Charities Chicago, Photo 1 - Flickr - USDAgov” by U.S. Department of Agriculture - Catholic Charities Chicago, Photo 1. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons -

Getting your car out of a snow bank, cutting your grass, providing food for struggling families…it’s just what you do.

“Youth-soccer-indiana” by No machine-readable author provided. Tysto assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims).. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons -

Because there are less people, growing up everyone has the opportunity to try everything. You don’t have to “try out” you just “sign up.”

Flickr/ Shellie Brannum

Directions also come with landmarks like “red barn,” “Murphy’s Farm,” and “giant oak tree,” rather than street names.

Flickr/ Denise Cheng

Large cities can be impersonal, but small town people all know each other, and actually spend time together.

It’s not uncommon for residents to work together to improve the overall beauty and appeal of the town as a collective effort.

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