So we recently hosted some our most favorite people from Massachusetts. Now while I was born in Texas I was raised in Massachusetts for middle, high school and college but came back to Texas right after. I’m an interesting mix you could say almost like half of both-The North and The South.
I remember when I first moved to Massachusetts. I was probably the first and only person most of them had meet from Texas-much less out of town. They were a tight knit but welcoming crew. Needless to say I was inundated with Texas questions then and even now from time to time when a newcomer comes on down. Of course I live in the Houston area so it’s not like I’m out in the country.
That being said there are some common things every out of towner asks and should know.
- Cowboy Hats-NO everyone does not wear them or boots or jeans ironed, starched and tight-these are called Wranglers by the way. We will don our hats for Rodeo once a year and yes there are some people who wear them daily but NO you’re not going to see them everywhere.
- Cactus and Tumbleweed-You’re not going to see them. It’s not a dessert-in fact we have just about every climate covered here in Texas. So you’re not going to see cactus and tumbleweed everywhere. You will see beautiful sunsets that can be seen for miles and long long wait wide wide highways.
- Our Flag-We fly our flag equally-same height as the American flag and we fly it everywhere-both of them big and proud. Take in the site of those billowing flags everywhere you go. We even say our Texas Pledge in school right after our Pledge of Allegiance. We are the ONLY state allowed to do this.
- Pride-It’s not being rude it’s being proud. Texans are proud of their state and we are sad that you’re not as proud of yours. Texas our Texas-so many amazing things have happened here and well we are proud. We teach our children Texas History starting in Kindergarten and know all about our state flower, and bird, and insect as well as our heroes-Houston and Austin to name a few.
- Southern Hospitality-It’s real not fake. I guess it’s just how we are raised. You wave when someone lets you in, you say yes ma’am and yes sir without a thought, you open doors. It doesn’t mean we’re all best friends but it does mean we have manners.
I do also have to say while you’re here eat your heart out. I mean it-eat the food. We can chicken fry a steak and make a biscuit and don’t even get me started about queso. Oh and yes we have Dr. Pepper everywhere!!!!
