6 Things Only Country Kids Will Understand

Moving to the city for university, like many of my fellow country kids have done, has made one thing very obvious… We are a unique bunch. There are certain things which no city kid will understand, the stereotyping and experiences we have had growing up are simply beyond them. BUT they are things which bring us together when away from home, taking on the “big bad city”. Of course, they might change from area to area, but these are some things me and my mates agreed only a true West Country, Somerset kid would understand.

1. The majority of cider not from Somerset tasting bloody awful

The most insulting thing we, as Somerset kids, can hear is… ‘oh, I love cider. I drink Strongbow all the time…’ Let me just stop you right there… THIS. This is not acceptable. Growing up in the countryside means you tend to be born and bred on cider (and Ale), and regardless of whether you like a good ol’ cider, we all agree STRONGBOW is a sin to the name.

2. Wondering what you did before you could go to the pub

Living in the middle of nowhere, with little to do… generally meant ‘the pub’ was our only way to socialise outside of school or college. Cheddar, my home village, had the ‘Cheddar 7’ which was always a laugh. But a quiet night at the pub became life for us.

‘what we going to do guys?’ ‘Pub?’ ‘pub.’

Now, ALL small town country kids must know what it’s like to have this exact conversation week after week…

For me and my cluster of mates it became a running joke. It was, and still is, so ridiculous. Is the countryside really peaceful? No, there’s just nothing to do! ‘Pub?’ literally became a way to ask to meet up, one word and a nod for our evenings to be sorted.

3. Cow s**t smelling like home

The thing about the countryside is… for use of no better words, it reeks of shit. Mind the language. For a true country kid, the pong that hits you when you roll down the windows, simply means the closer you are to getting home.

THAT smell, as a long time country kid, you embrace. Some would even go as far as to say this smell is so So SO much nicer and welcoming than the smells of pollution in cities.

The hilarious part is… you can tell who isn’t from the country. *hands over nose* They stand out like a sore thumb!

4. Cows and sheep being a genuine excuse for lateness

If you had to commute to school, like the majority of my friends, or if you lived on and around farms or fields… like pretty much every true country kid did. Sheep and Cows could literally become your worst nightmare.

God forbid you had an exam or important lesson… the devils themselves (aka. herd of cows) will unleash the pain and torture of being stuck behind them in an otherwise empty road…. Waiting. Slowly. Patiently. You think I’m joking? This only happens in movies? No. seriously, guys.

5. Apps like ‘Just-eat’ being a new revelation

One thing which most of us country kids love and embrace about living in the city… is the take-away deliveries. The delight on my face always seem to baffle my friends here, who have always been in cities. Growing up in the countryside, aka. middle of nowhere, tends to mean unless you’re lucky you will have to go out to get food.

So, coming to big cities like Birmingham and having so much choice at your fingertips is… heavenly.

Our parents are so concerned as to why we gain so much weight. *finger point at Just-Eat*

6. People asking ‘why you don’t sound like a farmer if you’re from Somerset then?’

The worst thing about being from the countryside… specifically Somerset, is the stereotype of having a strong west country “farmer” accent. I’ve lost count of the times people have asked me, “why don’t you sound farmer then if you from Somerset?”.

Apologies on behalf of all us country kids, but no, we don’t all have west country accents. And no, I can’t sing the Wurzels for you. And finally, yes, we are sure we aren’t putting on a fake accent so we don’t get called farmers.

But okay, Hot Fuzz was filmed around where I live. This doesn’t mean I want or need you to reference lines to me, not so subtly, giggling like this is so original.