Six Ways to Tell Someone’s Not from Around Here
No offense. We all started somewhere.
Nobody’s going to call you out.
But in a place like Kootenai and the surrounding North Idaho area, people can usually tell pretty quick who’s new and who’s been around a while.
You React to the Weather Like It’s News
First snowfall, you notice it. By the third one, locals have already moved on.
Unless it’s unusual, nobody’s making a big deal about it.
You Think Every Drive Should Be Quick
If you’re still measuring distance in minutes instead of miles, that’s a sign.
Driving is just part of life here.
You Wait for Someone Else to Handle It
If something breaks and your first instinct is to wait, you probably haven’t been here long.
Out here, most people try first.
You Don’t Wave Back
A quick wave on a back road matters more than you’d think.
It’s not rude if you miss it. Just means you’re not used to it yet.
You Expect Everything to Be Available
Sometimes it’s not in stock. Sometimes it’s a few days out.
And that’s just how it goes.
You Haven’t Been Introduced to A Guy Yet
If you don’t yet have a guy for fixing things, you’re still new.
Eventually, everyone does.
Over time, you start to notice the shift.
You react less. You plan more. You start waving without thinking.
And one day, you’re not new anymore.
