I’d like to put to rest the myth that everybody in a small town knows everybody else. It’s a nice idea, suggesting coziness and harmony, maybe why small-towners go along with it. We have to know it’s not realistic. Maybe we just like to fool big-city people.
If you grow up in a small town, you think you know everybody because you know everybody who matters to you. It’s true that most places you go, you’ll see several people you know, and a few who know your parents. As a kid, you probably behave a little better, knowing there’s someone around who knows you. Or your parents.
Big-city people visiting a small town might think everybody knows everybody else when their hosts are frequently greeted by name in public places. I think the frequency of personal greetings is greater in small towns because there are fewer places to congregate.
I grew up in a town of 7,000. Knowing people was easier then. We walked to school. Most men walked to work, and women walked a few blocks to a corner grocery every day. Grownups were more social, with heavy participation in churches, lodges, social and public service groups. In summer, we sat on the porch steps and spoke to those walking by. People didn’t travel far to work or shop. The same kids were in my class every year. But everybody didn’t know everybody—not even close.
There probably were a few long-time residents, those who’d dealt with the public for many years, who knew almost everybody. Mrs. Steen, operator of the license bureau in my town, comes to mind. You may remember some like her.
Today I live near a small town of 3,000, and can testify that everybody does not know everybody else. Kids are bussed to school and their parents drive half an hour or more to work. Evenings, most close themselves in their homes and socialize via Internet. The old social, religious, and civic groups have dwindled, though there are more organized activities for kids, like recreational sports. On nice days, people walk through town for exercise.
Small town people may care more about knowing everybody because it’s almost possible. But unless it’s a town of fewer than, say, a thousand residents, knowing everyone requires major effort. Today it’s harder, I think, because we’re so mobile, and residents come and go. But in small towns it’s still polite to speak when you pass someone on the street, still important to get to know your neighbors, and though the retail shops of most small towns are gone, there are still restaurants where on buffet night you know by name or sight more than half the diners. It feels like you know everybody.
What a great commentary! And it is so true. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Carol – Thanks for your thanks!
Where I grew up it was always common to greet neighbours and strangers in the street. Nowadays it is less so, which is a shame. Your post brought back some childhood memories. Thanks Carol
David, imagine this: an old gentleman tipping his hat to a young woman as they passed on the street. This happened to me (several) years ago. Small towns often let us feel we’ve stepped back in time.
Now, you’ve done it, Carol! You’ve blown our small town cover!
Mine wasn’t a small town; it was tiny. 312 residents. We did know everyone else, at least by sight, and most people were related in one way or another, although as recent transplants, my family wasn’t. Even so, when I go back there they always remember me, greet me warmly, and welcome me back to the fold!
The closest town of 7000 or more is the county seat, a college town that doubles in population when school is in session. That seemed like the big city to us, when we got bussed there for high school! But even there, one always greets people one passes on the sidewalk, even strangers. It would be rude not to — so I still feel rude passing people by in the city, without acknowledgement. But I do, because they look at me like I’m nuts if I say hi.
I suppose to outsiders — those Big City Folk who think I’m nuts — it WOULD seem as if we all knew each other… Like we know the secret small town handshake.
And you’ve gone and blown it! 😉
…and we think it’s laughable when a city of 65,000 is described as a ‘small town.’
Ah, I see the problem here. My family is from a small town in Louisiana-466 people as of 2012. Everyone knows everyone. Nice peice though. 😉
Right – the problem is the relative meaning of ‘small!’