10 Things Only True Virginians Say and Know—Out-of-Staters Don’t Stand a Chance
Virginia is a place of rich history, fierce rivalries, and a few quirks that only true locals understand. Whether it’s knowing exactly how to navigate a roundabout or having strong opinions on gas station food, real Virginians wear their knowledge like a badge of honor.
But what happens when someone pretends to be from the Old Dominion?
If you want to spot an impostor, here are the surest ways to separate a real Virginian from a fake one.
They Know Their History (Or They Don’t)
A real Virginian can probably tell you more about history than your average tour guide.
They know Virginia is home to Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. They can rattle off names like Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee without hesitation.
A true Virginian also knows that the state has hosted more Civil War battles than any other, and they have a strong opinion about whether or not the term “War of Northern Aggression” should be used.
A fake Virginian, on the other hand, might struggle to name even one former U.S. president from the state (there are eight, by the way). They might think Williamsburg is just a cute tourist town with actors in funny hats, rather than a place central to the founding of the country.
And if they don’t know about Virginia’s role in the American Revolution and Civil War, they’re definitely not from around there.
They Say “The Commonwealth” Instead of “The State”
Real Virginians know that Virginia isn’t just any state—it’s a Commonwealth. While this doesn’t change much in terms of governance, it makes a difference in pride.
A true Virginian will make sure to correct someone who refers to it as “the state of Virginia.”
They’ll tell you that Virginia, along with Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, still holds onto the term Commonwealth as a nod to its colonial roots.
A non-Virginian?
They just call it a state, plain and simple. If they’re really not from there, they might even hesitate when they hear “Commonwealth” and assume it refers to some obscure legal rule rather than an important part of Virginia’s identity.
They Know What a Ham Biscuit Is (And Have a Favorite)
If you ask a real Virginian what food they love most, you’ll probably hear about a ham biscuit.
Made with salty, thin-sliced country ham tucked into a buttery, flaky biscuit, this snack is a staple at weddings, church gatherings, and holiday brunches.
Virginians take their ham seriously—Smithfield, after all, is the home of the famous Smithfield Ham.
A fake Virginian might assume that “ham biscuit” is just a breakfast sandwich from a fast-food joint. Worse, they might say something blasphemous like “Oh, it’s just like Canadian bacon!” (It’s not. At all.)
If they don’t know the joy of biting into a warm ham biscuit, they’re probably not from around there.
They Have Strong Feelings About the Rivalry Between UVA and Virginia Tech
A real Virginian, whether they attended either school or not, has an opinion about the UVA vs. Virginia Tech rivalry. Even if they don’t follow college football, they know that every year, the two schools face off in the Commonwealth Clash, and they will pick a side.
Whether they shout “Go Hoos!” or “Let’s Go, Hokies!”—they care. It’s not just about football; it’s about pride.
A fake Virginian? They probably don’t know what a Hokie is (it’s not a real animal, by the way), and they might think UVA stands for “University of Vermont.”
If they shrug and say they don’t really care who wins, they are definitely an outsider.
They Know How to Navigate a Roundabout (or Avoid Them Entirely)
Real Virginians are no strangers to roundabouts. Thanks to towns like Richmond and Charlottesville, where roundabouts are popping up more frequently, they know the right way to handle them.
A real Virginian doesn’t panic when approaching one—they merge smoothly and keep traffic moving.
A non-local, however, either stops completely (which is incorrect) or barrels through without yielding (also incorrect).
If someone in front of you hesitates at a roundabout like it’s a four-way stop, they’re likely not from Virginia.
Worse yet, they might be from a place where roundabouts are nonexistent, and their confusion will not only be painfully obvious, but also potentially dangerous to other drivers.
They Know NOVA Is Not the Same as the Rest of Virginia
A real Virginian knows that Northern Virginia (NOVA) is a world of its own. It’s faster-paced, more expensive, and more politically connected than the rest of the state.
A Virginian from Richmond, Roanoke, or Tidewater will probably joke that NOVA should just be part of D.C. instead. They understand that life in NOVA means traffic, high-rise apartments, and Metro rides to work.
Someone not from Virginia might think all of Virginia operates like NOVA. They assume everyone in the state deals with gridlock on I-66 or commutes to a government job.
But real Virginians know there’s a huge difference between life in Arlington and life in, say, Abingdon.
They Call It “The Beach,” Not “Virginia Beach”
A real Virginian, when talking about a trip to the ocean, just says, “I’m going to the beach.” They don’t feel the need to specify Virginia Beach because that’s the only beach that matters to them.
They might also mention Sandbridge or the Outer Banks, but Virginia Beach is simply “the beach.”
A new Virginian, however, will say “Virginia Beach” every single time. They might also not realize that Virginia Beach is the largest city in the state by population.
If they don’t know that, they might as well be from Idaho.
They Understand the Importance of the Wawa vs. Sheetz Debate
Real Virginians take gas station food seriously, and the Wawa vs. Sheetz debate is as passionate as any sports rivalry.
Wawa fans swear by their hoagies and coffee, while Sheetz lovers praise their made-to-order menu and milkshakes.
No matter which side they choose, a true Virginian has a strong opinion and will defend their favorite gas station to the end.
A non-Virginian? They might not even know what Wawa or Sheetz is. Or worse, they might say something wild like, “Aren’t they just gas stations?”
That kind of talk will get them uninvited from road trips with true Virginians.
They Know Skyline Drive Is Gorgeous, but Also Full of Tourists
Skyline Drive, the scenic road that winds through Shenandoah National Park, is breathtaking in the fall.
A real Virginian knows this, but they also know that visiting on a peak autumn weekend means sitting in a line of slow-moving cars filled with out-of-state leaf-peepers.
Locals will either go early in the morning or wait until the crowds die down to enjoy the view.
A non-Virginian might think Skyline Drive is a shortcut (it’s not—it’s a slow, scenic route) or be surprised when they see the line of cars at the entrance.
If they show up on an October weekend expecting a peaceful drive, they’re definitely not a local.
They Know Virginia Is for Lovers (And What That Really Means)
“Virginia is for Lovers” is one of the most iconic state slogans in the country.
A real Virginian knows it dates back to a 1969 tourism campaign and has nothing to do with romance—it’s about loving history, the outdoors, food, and everything else Virginia has to offer.
They’ve seen the slogan on signs, t-shirts, and bumper stickers their whole life.
A person new to Virginia might think it’s just about couples or assume it’s a recent marketing gimmick.
If they don’t understand that it’s a point of state pride, they haven’t been around long enough to be considered a true Virginian.
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