Strange experience (buy, school, college)

[tsimmu]

I went to college and graduate school of out state but since my car technically belonged to my dad, it had WV tags. Invariably, where ever I would go I would get "What part of WV are you from?" It got to the point where I could see it comin' whether I was pumping gas, getting out at a parking lot or once, even being approached by the guy behind me in line at a stop light (!!). I have since had tags from VA, TN, FL, MS and don't ever get that question. Why do you think that is?

[Chriscross309]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

I went to college and graduate school of out state but since my car technically belonged to my dad, it had WV tags. Invariably, where ever I would go I would get "What part of WV are you from?" It got to the point where I could see it comin' whether I was pumping gas, getting out at a parking lot or once, even being approached by the guy behind me in line at a stop light (!!). I have since had tags from VA, TN, FL, MS and don't ever get that question. Why do you think that is?

Everybody loves WV They just want to hear more about it!

[cry_havoc]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

I went to college and graduate school of out state but since my car technically belonged to my dad, it had WV tags. Invariably, where ever I would go I would get "What part of WV are you from?" It got to the point where I could see it comin' whether I was pumping gas, getting out at a parking lot or once, even being approached by the guy behind me in line at a stop light (!!). I have since had tags from VA, TN, FL, MS and don't ever get that question. Why do you think that is?

The people asking are probably from WV and being friendly.

In Texas I had some guy talk to me at a rest stop because he was from Kentucky so we were part of a similar area, and he liked martial arts and I had stickers on my car.

People from Appalachia are friendly. Half the people from outside of it think West Virginia is Western Virginia.

[wrj22]

I lived in WV for a year and it's very nice there. When I see one now I'm curious what part of the state the owner of the car is from.

Before moving there though, I had never even seen a WV license plate!

[tsimmu]

Yes, I understand the friendliness factor and yes, most of the inquiries came from folks with WV tags, but my question is why just WV? I mean, when I have Mississippi tags, people from Jackson don't ask where in MS I'm from, nor does the same happen in other states. I was especially confounded by the way several would actually, like "chase me down" to ask. They were SO excited. Got a kick out of that...A conundrum, I say!

[UKUKUK]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

Yes, I understand the friendliness factor and yes, most of the inquiries came from folks with WV tags, but my question is why just WV? I mean, when I have Mississippi tags, people from Jackson don't ask where in MS I'm from, nor does the same happen in other states. I was especially confounded by the way several would actually, like "chase me down" to ask. They were SO excited. Got a kick out of that...A conundrum, I say!

WV plates don't have counties and since most people who were asking were from West Virginia, they get curious.

Mississippi plates have counties, so when they see a Mississippi tag they can usually make a good estimation at least.

I noticed the same when I switched from Illinois to Kentucky tags. Hell, I find myself guilty when standing in line of asking what part of Illinois people who get carded in front of me are from. Once, I met a guy who grew up 2 blocks down the street from me!

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

Yes, I understand the friendliness factor and yes, most of the inquiries came from folks with WV tags, but my question is why just WV? I mean, when I have Mississippi tags, people from Jackson don't ask where in MS I'm from, nor does the same happen in other states. I was especially confounded by the way several would actually, like "chase me down" to ask. They were SO excited. Got a kick out of that...A conundrum, I say!

My theories...

West Virginians are clannish, in the "loyal Scot" sense. Everyone from West Virginia is part of the same clan (at least we think that way). So we chase down fellow WV license plates, in case we might know them, or know someone in common, or as UK^3 notes, grew up nearby.

For about half a century, West Virginia's population was stagnant or declining. I refuse to believe that Mountaineers reproduce at a significantly lower rate than the rest of the country. Instead, we've been exporting population to other states. In effect, we've been "seeding" those other states with people that have ties to West Virginia. BTW, in part I think that explains WVU's #21 brand ranking and reputation for traveling well. Combine that with the clannishness explained above, and you have the phenomena that started this thread.

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by snorpus

My theories...

West Virginians are clannish, in the "loyal Scot" sense. Everyone from West Virginia is part of the same clan (at least we think that way). So we chase down fellow WV license plates, in case we might know them, or know someone in common, or as UK^3 notes, grew up nearby.

For about half a century, West Virginia's population was stagnant or declining. I refuse to believe that Mountaineers reproduce at a significantly lower rate than the rest of the country. Instead, we've been exporting population to other states. In effect, we've been "seeding" those other states with people that have ties to West Virginia. BTW, in part I think that explains WVU's #21 brand ranking and reputation for traveling well. Combine that with the clannishness explained above, and you have the phenomena that started this thread.

I've yet to see another WV plate out here in AZ..haha Jake has even switched his plates to AZ but I still have my WV plates. I just bought a new car in May in WV and paid taxes there, I'm not about to pay them again... at a much higher rate mind you... here in AZ. I can get away with it too since I'm a full time out of state paying post grad student at ASU.

However, I get excited in general when I see PA, MD, VA or even OH tags..haha I'm like hey.... we're neighbors..haha

Lots of Minnesota, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico plates here, and of course the people from California who got their drivers licenses in cereal boxes...ugh

[CookieSkoon]

Personally I love WV.

I always ask when I see a WV plate. Same with PA and NY. My three favorite states. <3

[tallydude02]

Originally Posted by UKUKUK

WV plates don't have counties and since most people who were asking were from West Virginia, they get curious.

Mississippi plates have counties, so when they see a Mississippi tag they can usually make a good estimation at least.

I noticed the same when I switched from Illinois to Kentucky tags. Hell, I find myself guilty when standing in line of asking what part of Illinois people who get carded in front of me are from. Once, I met a guy who grew up 2 blocks down the street from me!

It would be cool with WV plates had the counties on them. PA is the same way.

When I lived in WV, I kept the dealer tag holder and the front dealer tag on the car. Most people live in the same general area where they buy their cars. I was that was my way of letting people know where I lived in the state.

When I bought my new car in PA, I did the same thing. I notice a lot of WV and PA cars have the dealer tag holder still in place...more so than in other places.