Many non-U.Va. students believe if a person chooses to attend the University, he or she either must already be stuck-up or will become stuck-up within the first few weeks here.
This summer, I traveled all over the U.S. with friends, but it was on my family vacation to Clearwater Beach, Fl. where I learned a valuable lesson about this stereotype that I wish everyone else -- especially those at that other university down Route 81 -- could learn.
The flights south to Clearwater were great, the week we spent relaxing on the beach was great, and the first flight back north from Tampa to Atlanta was great.
Then the problems began. When we arrived at the gate in Atlanta, we discovered our flight back to Richmond had been delayed to 9:30 p.m. The Atlanta area had been under some pretty heavy thunderstorms earlier, and they had hosed up air traffic flying in from other airports.
But still, the delay was only 30 minutes -- definitely livable.
The next thing I knew, our departure time read 11:45 p.m. That time was so ridiculous I didn't even pay attention because I thought it was a mistake.
Then the obviously irritated woman behind the Delta desk explained over the loudspeakers that our plane had been circling over the Atlanta airport waiting for its turn to land when it started running out of gas and had to land in Augusta, Ga. to refuel.
So we waited. And waited.
My dad used to travel a lot on business when I was younger, and his company would always book him on Delta. He built up quite a few frequent flyer miles and is a Silver Medallion member.
I don't really know what that means, except that Delta thinks we're way special.
My dad tried to pull a few strings to get all four of us upgraded to first class because a lot of people had cancelled. He was able to get two tickets, which he kept for himself and my mom, but, as the night dragged on and my boyfriend and I did our best to look pitiful, my dad crumbled and let us have the first class seats.
Finally the plane landed, and as the still-irritated woman announced first class passengers could board in just a few moments, my boyfriend and I joined the older businessman and rich couples in line.
We were out of place. As I stood there with a ripped Adidas duffel bag, we listened while two older men discussed their luggage.
One man had an expensive-looking suitcase set with him, and the other man had the same set except his was equipped with a clear plastic cover.
The first man showed an interest in the cover, and the second man jumped at the chance to show off.
"Oh, I got these covers while I was vacationing in Europe," he said. "My wife and I were staying in some five-star hotel and we found them in the gift shop. They're the only covers that will fit this luggage."
Then the second man proceeded to tell the first man all about his wonderful vacation in Europe, obviously dying to demonstrate to everyone within 10 feet of him his tremendous wealth.
When people talk about us Wahoos being stuck up, they act like Charlottesville is the only stronghold of snobbery in the country. But -- I mean, come on -- it's everywhere.
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