02.13.2024

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Richmond’s personality test

What does geopsychology say about a city’s personality?

Drone shot over the James River facing the Manchester-Richmond Bridge

Richmond’s temperate weather may contribute to its higher emotional stability. | Photo via olekinderhook

Does where we live have any bearing on our personalities? A growing field of psychological research called Geopsychology says “yes.”

According to geopsychology, Richmonders are likely more agreeable than their friends across the nation in, say, Sacramento, CA. And while you may have heard about that good ol’ southern charm, now there may be a form of scientific proof to back it up.

So what is geopsychology, exactly — and what does it say about a city’s personality? Let’s take a look.

What is it?

ResearchGate defines geopsychology as “the relationship between the complex matrix of static and time-varying geophysical and geochemical variables within a locality and human behavior.”

In other words, there’s a correlation between one’s geophysical space and one’s mind. In particular, research on the “Big Five” traits — conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extroversion — has led researchers to create a set of personality maps for the US.

These maps aren’t a Buzzfeed quiz that tells you exactly who you are — the field of geopsychology stresses that other factors play a role in personality and individual differences exist — but they can provide a broader look at a particular area’s common personality traits and how they compare to different parts of the nation.

Conscientiousness

Those in the South overwhelmingly display characteristics of discipline and diligence, but the map shows small spots with a high concentration of conscientious people all over the US.

Folks living in cities like Madison, WI or Columbus, OH may tend to be more flexible — but less systematic — than their southern neighbors.

Here in Richmond, we’re more flexible — and perhaps a bit more careless — than those north of us. Who knows, maybe that flexibility’s why we have so many local yoga studios.

Extroversion

Folks living in southern and midwestern cities tend to be more extroverted than their West Coast counterparts — though pockets of Texas, like San Antonio, also trend more sociable.

Richmond sits in a thin corridor of introversion, as opposed to our counterparts just east and west. As a more introverted city, we sometimes prefer quieter, solo activities. We’ve got your back there: Check out our guides to hiking trails, local authors, and parks.

Asked

Does your personality align with Richmond’s geopsychology?

Find out

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 13

N/A Pop-Up | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 12 p.m. | Révéler, 3108 W. Cary St., Richmond | Free entry | Enjoy non-alcoholic craft cocktails by Point 5, karaoke, and live music by TEN4ONE.

Wednesday, Feb. 14

From the Archives: Valentine’s Day During Wartime | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Join Virginia War Memorial Archivist Sylvia Marshall as she reflects on stories of love, life, and combat found in the archives.
UR Men’s Basketball vs. Massachusetts | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7 p.m. | Robins Center, 365 College Rd., Richmond | $10-$32 | The Spiders face UMass at home.
“Valentine’s Day” | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | Love stories abound in this ensemble film set around the titular holiday.

Thursday, Feb. 15

RVA Community Makers Unveiling | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-7 p.m. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | VMFA’s annual public art project will celebrate Black History Month with a textile installation to honor Black leaders in Richmond.
“BKLYN the Musical” | Thursday, Feb. 15-Saturday, Feb. 17 | Times vary | Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Route 1, Chesterfield | $49 | Get tickets to see this musical which follows a troupe of homeless street performers and a young girl searching for her father.

Friday, Feb. 16

ICA Spring Premiere 2024 | Friday, Feb. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | RSVP to see three new exhibitions and experience a performance by Raymond Pinto, tunes from DJ Raneshounds, and refreshments.
“Dracula” | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m. | Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | $25-$140 | Prepare to be swept up in a gothic romance with Richmond Ballet.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

A new restaurant has opened in the Jackson Ward location that used to house Saison. The Hive Bar & Grill, a new venture from the owners of Ms. Bee’s Juice Bar, has set up shop at 23 W. Marshall St. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Health

The Bon Secours Training Center located at the former Commanders training center is moving to a new building at the Sauer Center. The new location will occupy two floors of the Broad Street development. (Richmond BizSense)

Jobs

Chesterfield County has just announced a slew of new available jobs. See the full list to find out if one of them is a good fit for you.

Civic

City offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19 for Presidents Day. This includes libraries and community centers.

Kids

Families First, a program for kids in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights, helps kids support parents during early childhood. Read more about the program, which also makes house calls and does early tutoring. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Plan Ahead

The Branch Museum’s Mad Hatter Garden Party and Design Auction will return on April 19. Visitors can compete in a hat competition and bid in silent and live auctions.

Eat

Looking for some local eats? Richmond Magazine just put out a series of interviews with several family-owned favorites.

Holiday

A reminder that tomorrow, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. Sending flowers? Shop bouquets from a local shop, or get one of 1-800-Flowers’ Valentine’s Day bouquets delivered to that special someone.*

Outdoors

Get outside even in the winter

Outdoor activities for a Richmond winter

A view of the Richmond skyline, including a water tower and a smokestack, as seen from Libby Hill park in Church Hill

Compared to much of the US, Richmond has winters that still allow for some sunbathing. | RICtoday

Looking to get out and enjoy some of Richmond’s (relatively) nice weather over the next few weeks? We’ve got some suggestions.

Early mornings

If you’re prepared to bundle up and brave the cold before work, then you’ve got plenty of options. Grab a cup of Lamplighter coffee and take a stroll through Byrd Park, or take a Riverbend latte on a downhill (and then, eventually, uphill) stroll to Great Shiplock Park.

Those are just our suggestions. Explore other coffee and park combinations.

Lunch breaks

For anyone who specifically wants sunshine, a mid-day outing is likely your best bet. Quick lunch break-length options include a ride or walk around Bryan Park, Hollywood Cemetery, or Forest Hill Park.

If you’d rather spend your lunch break on, well, lunch, then swing by a restaurant with heated outdoor seating.

Get more winter activity options at the button below.

Read our full guide

The Buy

The Buy 2.13.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This margarita mixers bundle, since National Margarita Day is coming up on Thursday, February 22 and we’re trying to be as prepared as possible, thank you very much. Get four margarita flavors to play with including “Simple Margarita” and “Blood Orange Margarita.”

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I attended my first concert at the Hofheimer Building on Friday night. Those were some of the comfiest couches I’ve ever found at a rock show.

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