After just a few days in Austin, I think I know what Texas is like. I’m probably wrong, but what the hell. Here’s my list of Texas generalizations:
- Texans are a boot wearing people, even when it’s warm there are guys wandering around with their jeans tucked into their boots. The gals seem more practical, going for the boots and miniskirt or boots and shorts look. Even that 60ish cross dresser I saw downtown, you know, the guy with the full facial hair, the cowboy hat, the tights, and the miniskirt, was wearing boots.
- Texans can not run out of time to chat with you about where you’re from, what you ought to see next, who they know that lives where you’re from, how the place you’re from is awfully nice, but while you’re here, you really ought to can I help you and if you need ANYTHING, really ANYTHING… there is nothing they need to do that’s more important that making sure you are a victim recipient of their overwhelming hospitality. And when they have gone out of their way to help you, they will apologize for not doing enough. Got somewhere to be? Too bad, because that Texan is not done talking with you yet and you would not want to be rude.
- Texas is dry, too dry, in fact, what with the drought, lord knows we needed the rain and it’s not enough. The air smells dry and woody, no, really, it smells like fresh cut wood. I guess it’s all the live oaks, but I couldn’t be sure.
- Texas birds are just as talkative as the human occupants of the Lone Star State and they seem just as social, standing up on a traffic light or tree over the bus stop or other slightly elevated view of the top of your head. I’m sure they’re asking about where you’re from and telling you what you ought not to miss and offering to have you round the nest or telling you that they get off work at 5 and if you need a ride ANYWHERE, you really should just call, they’d be happy to fly down and pick you up.
- Texas is meat-tastic. While it’s totally possible to eat good veggie chow in Austin, hippie town that it is, meat is what’s for dinner. Grilled and four legged, preferably. You want BBQ sauce on that? Of course you do! That turkey sandwich from the take out place in the DFW airport? Wow, surprisingly delicious.
- Texas is Texas shaped, as are many other things in Texas, like buildings and potato chips and belt buckles. If it’s not shaped like Texas, it probably has a picture of Texas on it, be it the news stand or socks or bbq sauce, of course.
- Texas is totally worth your time. I am sitting here in Seattle thinking about how freakin’ great a big old road trip to Texas would be. I would like to leave tomorrow.
Thanks for this! Texas doesn’t always get the best press but it is a fun place. South Texas is one of the places “I’m from” so I must agree with you, of course. Wish I could have been at SXSW for the travelblogging talk, but enjoyed all the twitter tweets!
I would absolutely KILL to fly up to Seattle and drive back down here to Texas with you on a massively awesome road trip!
Anything I can help with to plan it? Want a tour of west Texas? You really ought to see….oh, wait, I’m doing that thing we do.
Did I show you my boots?
🙂
I no longer have cowboy boots, although technically Texas is home.
They are going to take away my resident permit and drive me over to Oklahoma when I go back in a few weeks, aren’t they?
Only problem is, Austin is not like anyplace else in Texas. If Seattle were dropped into Texas, it would become Austin. But the rest of the state would be different.
You’d enjoy a road trip around the state. You can determine where the boundary between East Texas and West Texas is located by asking folks to pronounce the word “insurance.”
My ideal living situation would be 1/2 a year in Austin and 1/2 a year in Seattle.
Awww, I love the part about how helpful they are! That’s missing in so much of the world today, it’s refreshing to hear that hospitality like that still exists somewhere.
I wonder how representative Austin is for the rest of the state? My guess is, not much. It’s got the friendliness and hospitality down pat, but they don’t say “Keep Austin Weird” for nuthin’.
🙂
you forgot you should never mess with texas.
I am not a fan of texas outside austin….too conservative for me.
As someone from Dallas, I have to say that Austin is a bit unique, BUT the rest of Texas can be pretty great too. I’ve only been here a few years and I’m planning on staying.
If you need a place to sleep in Dallas on your road trip, I’ve got a great guest room. And we’re pretty slim on trees so not too many birds will wake you up!
And I don’t have boots, but I’m not “from” here. I do want some though. Thar’s some cute ‘uns at the Tractor Supply. 😉
I made my husband read this as he’s been to Texas and he totally loved it and has been trying to drag the whole family there ever since.
Lived there for a couple of years, never had anyone be as friendly as you describe. Not rude, just not all that hey-kin-ah-hep-yah? In fact, I once made a point to stop and help a woman in a parking lot who was struggling with a tire change, just so, when I was done, I could say “Well, ma’am, just consider that a bit of NORTHERN hospitality…” — only to have her say “Oh, are you from the North? So are we – we’re from Connecticut!”
Sigh.
Well take it from a native Texan, you got us figgered out! You let me know next time you’re planning on coming around and I’ll make sure we got a big ‘ol barbeque goin’. You need a ride?
I’m from Oregon, and about 15 years ago I spent about a year and a half in Austin. You’ve got to love any town that throws a big old party in Peace Park for Eeyore’s birthday every year! good times
I read these.
I took it all as sarcasm… because really, you can’t take it as anything else.
Texas blows.
Austin doesn’t count as Texas, though.
I’m from Dallas. I speak from experience.
well boy i sure do appreciate them kind words about this here great state.
ya know on the news and such lots a folks been speaking out negatively about my home, and it really puts me in a good mood to know that there are some hippie yankees out there that have come to appreciate how we do things down here.
while you are here you ought not miss a crawfish boil, and go to a free outdoor concert.
i guarantee you will never want to leave as long as you live.
i am in south east texas.
by the city
let me know when you are here i can show you around.
Ok, that boot thing is false. While, yes, boots are popular, they’re not worn by everyone. Secondly, go to Houston and you will experience humidity like nothing you’ve ever felt before. Anyway, I’ve lived all over the state, in Lubbock currently. I highly recommend never coming to Lubbock, nor ever venturing west of I-35. Dallas is snooty, Austin rocks, and Houston is my town. Anyway, enjoy our state and our unending hospitality!
Austin and San Antonio are about the only places worth seeing in Texas. Any further east and inbreeding starts to kick in. The prevailing color in Houston is brown. Stay around the hill country and throw in a trip to South Padre.
haha! You nailed much of it. Though I’d rather be shot than tuck my jeans into my boots. Otherwise… NAILED it. Texas born and bred here!! Though, like others, I warn of one thing: Texas is a big state.
Austin is night and day different from other areas of the state. (“Keep Austin Weird” is not just a slogan. haha) Take time to explore more of it if ever you make it back! Even Dallas and Fort Worth (direct neighbors to each other) and distinctly different from one another.
You may have to make several trips to get a taste of it all… but, most of your generalities are going to be found everywhere. And its nice to see a POSITIVE review for a change. Thanks!!!!!
Okay. But Austin is not Texas.
Texas is awesome, and if you live there~ you do have that “Texas pride” you can’t go any where and find that sort of kindness anymore, only sarcasam~ Austin IS Texas… They have the same Texas pride that everyone else in Texas does, there just more open-minded about things.