You’re Not Really From Virginia Unless You’ve Complained About These 12 Things

Ah, Virginia—the Old Dominion, where history stares you in the face at every turn, sweet tea is a foundational right, and no one can agree if we’re the South, the Mid-Atlantic, or just politely confused. We’ve got beaches, mountains, battlefields, and more regional pride than our 400-year-old resume knows what to do with. If you haven’t complained about these quintessential Virginia quirks—probably while stuck in I-95 traffic behind someone with Maryland plates—are you really from here?

I-95 Traffic That Feels Like a Lifetime Sentence

A 2-hour drive from Richmond to D.C.? Try five hours and a full emotional spiral.

Being Called a “Northern” State by Southerners and a “Southern” State by Northerners

We drink sweet tea and argue about Civil War statues. Pick a lane, y’all.

Everyone Thinking It’s All Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello

Sure, we’ve got powdered wigs and history—but we also have craft breweries and people named Cody with man buns.

The Weather That Can’t Commit to a Season

Snowstorm on Monday, 75 degrees by Wednesday. It’s like Virginia’s got trust issues.

Tourists Who Try to Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway Like It’s a Racetrack

It’s scenic, not Fast & Furious: Appalachian Drift.

The Coastal vs. Mountain vs. NOVA Divide

We’re basically three different states wearing the same name tag.

The Sweltering Summer Humidity That Melts Your Soul

Walk outside in July and you’re instantly wearing a sweat blanket.

NOVA Acting Like It’s a Whole Different Country

Technically Virginia, emotionally D.C., spiritually annoyed with the rest of the state.

Out-of-Staters Mispronouncing “Norfolk”

It’s Nor-fik. Not “Nor-folk,” not “Nor-foke.” Just… don’t try too hard or it gets weird.

College Rivalries That Make Thanksgiving Awkward

UVA vs. Virginia Tech: it’s not just a game, it’s an identity crisis.

The Historic Plaques on Every Square Inch of Land

“On this spot in 1732, someone important maybe sneezed.” Cool. Can I park here?

The Unspoken Rule That Everyone’s Either Military, Related to Someone in the Military, or Lives Near a Base

PCS season is basically a state holiday.

Sure, we Virginians love to complain—about the traffic, the tourists, and the fact that we’re somehow both Southern and not—but underneath all that sass is a deep, tobacco-scented, battle-tested love for our complicated, scenic, and stubbornly proud state. Complaining here isn’t just venting—it’s tradition, y’all.

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