The other day I was at the grocery store. In Lubbock, we have this really cool chain that the baggers are required to escort you to your car and load your groceries. They are also not supposed to take tips. Being the mother of a very active toddler, this is a huge factor in choosing where I do my shopping. It's so nice to have the extra hand! Anyways, I had finished my shopping so my bagger boy was walking me out. I pointed to my Ford F150 truck and say, "This is me!". This 17ish year old looking young man looks at me in amazement and says, "You drive a truck?!?" My first thought was, "I am still in Texas, right?" but I say, "Yep!" He says "Cool!" a moment of hesitation and then,
"But is it your truck or your husband's truck?"
"It's my truck! I am a Texan..."
"Oh Texan!? So you are a redneck?"
Is this guy serious? "No, I'm not a redneck. I'm from Houston."
"Oh! Does your husband have a truck too?"
"No, my husband has a motorcycle."
"No way! Like a Harley?"
"No, a Kawasaki."
I have by now grabbed the rest of the bags myself and thrown them in my TRUCK. But don't misunderstand. I'm not angry or even really annoyed. I'm too much in shock. I can't believe this conversation is happening. In a parking lot. In Texas. With a guy wearing a Texas Tech hat. He must not be from Texas.....
"Do you drive that too?"
"Uh, nope. I just drive my truck."
"That's awesome!"
He is just standing there with the empty shopping cart looking at me in amazement.
"Thanks so much for your help!"
"Oh, yea no problem!"
He walks away shaking his head.
"But is it your truck or your husband's truck?"
"It's my truck! I am a Texan..."
"Oh Texan!? So you are a redneck?"
Is this guy serious? "No, I'm not a redneck. I'm from Houston."
"Oh! Does your husband have a truck too?"
"No, my husband has a motorcycle."
"No way! Like a Harley?"
"No, a Kawasaki."
I have by now grabbed the rest of the bags myself and thrown them in my TRUCK. But don't misunderstand. I'm not angry or even really annoyed. I'm too much in shock. I can't believe this conversation is happening. In a parking lot. In Texas. With a guy wearing a Texas Tech hat. He must not be from Texas.....
"Do you drive that too?"
"Uh, nope. I just drive my truck."
"That's awesome!"
He is just standing there with the empty shopping cart looking at me in amazement.
"Thanks so much for your help!"
"Oh, yea no problem!"
He walks away shaking his head.
This is the weirdest conversation I have had with someone about being Texan. I realize that not everybody is familiar with Texas culture. Some of the steroetypes are true and some are exaggerations of truths and some are just false.
Since this is one of my first blog posts and I am wanting you to get to know me, I will explain some of these stereotypes and let you know which are true or false for me personally.
Number 1: Texans only listen to and love country music.
False. I like some country music and only recently in my life have come to the confidence level of being ok with admitting so. I grew up listening to the Christian music station and oldies. In my early teen years I fell in love with 80's music. Late teen and early adulthood my love of music grew and I loved all music. I have at least one song from every genre in my ipod. Even a couple country songs. ;)
Number 2: Texans all own horses and ride them everywhere.
False. I have ridden horses. Funny part, I've actually ridden more horses outside of Texas than I have in Texas! I have never owned a horse and probably won't ever. I like them, just don't have the need for one. I rode a bike when I was young and drive a truck now...
Number 3: Texans all drive trucks.
True. Most Texans, especially here in west Texas do own trucks. More populated cities (like Houston) have many other types of cars that people drive. Especially more efficient cars if they commute. But yea, trucks are a pretty big deal here in Texas. I have had my truck for 8 years and love it! And by the way, my husband does drive the truck too. Funny Bagger Guy didn't ask me that....
Number 4: Texans all have and love guns.
True. I have guns and I love guns. My father was a firearms instructor in the Air Force and he passed that passion on to his children. My brother and I learned to shoot as soon as we were strong enough and could learn the correct way to use such tools. I appreciate the freedom I have in this country to have and use my guns. I think that gun safety needs to be promoted much more than it is. I do not believe guns kill people. I believe people kill people. Unfortunately that has been a trend within our species for a while and I don't think controlling guns will stop it but further endanger me by taking away a tool I can use to protect my family and myself. But on a lighter note, As a Texan, I am saddened to have to admit that the NRA was founded by a yankee.
Number 5: Texans love Football
True. Especially High School Football! There is nothing that compares to the excitement, the adrenaline rushing through your body, the pride that comes from watching your son (or brother, in my case) running for a touchdown or intercepting a pass!
A side note, College football has many rivalries, even within the state we share. We are Aggies in this household because that's the school my husband attended. The geography of the state doesn't necessarily account for which side of which rivalry you are on. Also, we have more than one NFL team. Houstonians tend to cheer for their own team, not the Cowboys. Another rivalry there....
Number 1: Texans only listen to and love country music.
False. I like some country music and only recently in my life have come to the confidence level of being ok with admitting so. I grew up listening to the Christian music station and oldies. In my early teen years I fell in love with 80's music. Late teen and early adulthood my love of music grew and I loved all music. I have at least one song from every genre in my ipod. Even a couple country songs. ;)
Number 2: Texans all own horses and ride them everywhere.
False. I have ridden horses. Funny part, I've actually ridden more horses outside of Texas than I have in Texas! I have never owned a horse and probably won't ever. I like them, just don't have the need for one. I rode a bike when I was young and drive a truck now...
Number 3: Texans all drive trucks.
True. Most Texans, especially here in west Texas do own trucks. More populated cities (like Houston) have many other types of cars that people drive. Especially more efficient cars if they commute. But yea, trucks are a pretty big deal here in Texas. I have had my truck for 8 years and love it! And by the way, my husband does drive the truck too. Funny Bagger Guy didn't ask me that....
Number 4: Texans all have and love guns.
True. I have guns and I love guns. My father was a firearms instructor in the Air Force and he passed that passion on to his children. My brother and I learned to shoot as soon as we were strong enough and could learn the correct way to use such tools. I appreciate the freedom I have in this country to have and use my guns. I think that gun safety needs to be promoted much more than it is. I do not believe guns kill people. I believe people kill people. Unfortunately that has been a trend within our species for a while and I don't think controlling guns will stop it but further endanger me by taking away a tool I can use to protect my family and myself. But on a lighter note, As a Texan, I am saddened to have to admit that the NRA was founded by a yankee.
Number 5: Texans love Football
True. Especially High School Football! There is nothing that compares to the excitement, the adrenaline rushing through your body, the pride that comes from watching your son (or brother, in my case) running for a touchdown or intercepting a pass!
A side note, College football has many rivalries, even within the state we share. We are Aggies in this household because that's the school my husband attended. The geography of the state doesn't necessarily account for which side of which rivalry you are on. Also, we have more than one NFL team. Houstonians tend to cheer for their own team, not the Cowboys. Another rivalry there....
Number 6: Texans love alcohol
True and False. I love a good drink of Gin and Juice. But I've never been to one of the drive thru, beer-selling barns that yes, do exhist here. I also don't like being drunk and am paranoid about drinking while pregnant so I have a rule that I only drink when I'm 100% sure that I'm not pregnant. Which is once a month. And it makes not only me happy, but those around me happy too ;)
Number 7: Texans love Chuck Norris and everyone knows someone that knows someone who knows Chuck Norris.
True. I grew up watching Texas Walker Ranger.
I totally know someone who went on a date with him too!
True and False. I love a good drink of Gin and Juice. But I've never been to one of the drive thru, beer-selling barns that yes, do exhist here. I also don't like being drunk and am paranoid about drinking while pregnant so I have a rule that I only drink when I'm 100% sure that I'm not pregnant. Which is once a month. And it makes not only me happy, but those around me happy too ;)
Number 7: Texans love Chuck Norris and everyone knows someone that knows someone who knows Chuck Norris.
True. I grew up watching Texas Walker Ranger.
I totally know someone who went on a date with him too!
Number 8: Texans like tea, iced and sweet
True. This Texan loves her a tall icey glass of sweet tea. But, I also like it unsweet and hot. Any combination of these is acceptable. I'm actually quite proud that my toddler son likes tea sweet or unsweet too. And yes, in Texas it is referred to as either Sweet Tea, or Unsweet Tea. It's understood to be Iced. See Number 18 for more on that.
Number 9: Texans are proud of their state and it's a status thing to have our pictures taken with the blubonnets (the State flower!).
True. The bigger the field the better. Bonus points if it has Indian Paintbrush flowers too.
True. This Texan loves her a tall icey glass of sweet tea. But, I also like it unsweet and hot. Any combination of these is acceptable. I'm actually quite proud that my toddler son likes tea sweet or unsweet too. And yes, in Texas it is referred to as either Sweet Tea, or Unsweet Tea. It's understood to be Iced. See Number 18 for more on that.
Number 9: Texans are proud of their state and it's a status thing to have our pictures taken with the blubonnets (the State flower!).
True. The bigger the field the better. Bonus points if it has Indian Paintbrush flowers too.
Number 10: Texans eat Pecan Pie
True. My childhood home had three pecan trees. We had to pick them up by the bucketful and crack them as a punishment. But the pecan pie we had every year made up for it! If you've never had it, it's this incredibly sweet concoction of caramelized sugary syrup with Pecan halves floating on top. And its pronounced in different ways. Some people say "pee-can", and others "puh-cahn". I say "Pi-cahn"
Number 11: Texans have traditions that only we do, but we are shocked to find out that only we do them.
True. It was only recently that I found out that nobody else does Homecoming mums and garters. Google it if you don't know. I personally know three mom's who make these every year. They are even bigger than I remember growing up. Which leads us to:
Number 12: Everything really is bigger in Texas
True. Our cattle, hair, and bootys are the biggest. Also our love for food. Hence the booty...
Number 13: Texans love BBQ
True. If you aren't in Texas, it's not BBQ. If you are not in Texas and you eat "bbq" that has a Texas title, it's especially not BBQ. Second to BBQ we love Tex Mex. This is so very different from Mexican food. And it's amazing. I learned how to make tortillas from scratch when I was 12. Texans also love steak. I should change this title to Texans love food...
Number 14: Texans line dance at bars that only play country music.
False. It is true that this happens, but not everyone does it. I've been in a few bars and I've seen people line dance, but I've never done it. This white girl has no rhythm. I only dance in the privacy of my home and truck. I realize my truck might not be private, but you can't tell how bad I dance ;)
Number 15: Texans believe "Don't mess with Texas" is the 11th commandment.
True. Don't mess with Texas. Or people in Texas. Or places or things.... We always have each other's back. Especially the men for the woman. We are proud to still have chivalrous men and boys being raised with those values. I've lived out a few different scenarios were a complete stranger stood up for me or protected me. And yes, they were wearing cowboy hats.
True. My childhood home had three pecan trees. We had to pick them up by the bucketful and crack them as a punishment. But the pecan pie we had every year made up for it! If you've never had it, it's this incredibly sweet concoction of caramelized sugary syrup with Pecan halves floating on top. And its pronounced in different ways. Some people say "pee-can", and others "puh-cahn". I say "Pi-cahn"
Number 11: Texans have traditions that only we do, but we are shocked to find out that only we do them.
True. It was only recently that I found out that nobody else does Homecoming mums and garters. Google it if you don't know. I personally know three mom's who make these every year. They are even bigger than I remember growing up. Which leads us to:
Number 12: Everything really is bigger in Texas
True. Our cattle, hair, and bootys are the biggest. Also our love for food. Hence the booty...
Number 13: Texans love BBQ
True. If you aren't in Texas, it's not BBQ. If you are not in Texas and you eat "bbq" that has a Texas title, it's especially not BBQ. Second to BBQ we love Tex Mex. This is so very different from Mexican food. And it's amazing. I learned how to make tortillas from scratch when I was 12. Texans also love steak. I should change this title to Texans love food...
Number 14: Texans line dance at bars that only play country music.
False. It is true that this happens, but not everyone does it. I've been in a few bars and I've seen people line dance, but I've never done it. This white girl has no rhythm. I only dance in the privacy of my home and truck. I realize my truck might not be private, but you can't tell how bad I dance ;)
Number 15: Texans believe "Don't mess with Texas" is the 11th commandment.
True. Don't mess with Texas. Or people in Texas. Or places or things.... We always have each other's back. Especially the men for the woman. We are proud to still have chivalrous men and boys being raised with those values. I've lived out a few different scenarios were a complete stranger stood up for me or protected me. And yes, they were wearing cowboy hats.
Number 16: Texans hate immigrants.
False. I don't hate immigrants but I do hate how messed up the system is. It is very difficult to become a citizen. I know this firsthand because my husband is an immigrant from Germany. We went through the whole process for him to become a citizen. It is much easier to be here illegally. It's cheaper and there are more resources available. I don't hate the people. I know how great our country can be and understand why people want to be here. The system needs to be fixed.
Number 17: Texans have racist grandparents.
Sadly, True. And my grandparents aren't even from Texas. This goes along with the previous one. There are resources given freely to illegal immigrants that are taken from hard working Texans. That can cause some hatred, but it s greatly misdirected. Again, the system needs to be fixed. Not all my grandparents are racist and my parents don't carry any of those traits thankfully so I wasn't raised with any of those beliefs. I didn't learn what racism was until I was about 9. I'll share that story at another time. I'm very grateful to my parents for having such loving open hearts and that they passed that on to us.
Number 18: Texans are addicted to air conditioning.
True. It's hot here. We like to complain about it. We have several saying about how hot it is.
It’s hot as the hinges of hell. It's hot as a two-dollar pistol. It's hot as a stolen tamale. It’s hotter than whoopee in woolens. It's hotter than a fur coat in Marfa. Hot as a billy goat in a pepper patch. So hot the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs. Hot as a summer revival. Hotter than a honeymoon hotel. Hotter than a burning stump.
Not that we say these.
Very often.
Number 19: Texans are tan.
False. I visited Minnesota when I was a teenager. My mom's family is there. I was told that I wasn't very tan for being a Texan. You know that whole addicted to air conditioning? Yea, that's inside. We stay inside when it's hot. And it's hot a lot. When we get tans, it's mostly faces and hands/arms and that's not attractive on a woman ;)
Number 20: Texans are full of themselves.
True. Especially when we are defined by the state we live in. We think Texas is awesome and we are awesome for living here and even more so if we are from here! My husband changed his name when he became a citizen. His middle name is legally now Tex. We are proud of our state and our culture. And we should be, because it is awesome!
False. I don't hate immigrants but I do hate how messed up the system is. It is very difficult to become a citizen. I know this firsthand because my husband is an immigrant from Germany. We went through the whole process for him to become a citizen. It is much easier to be here illegally. It's cheaper and there are more resources available. I don't hate the people. I know how great our country can be and understand why people want to be here. The system needs to be fixed.
Number 17: Texans have racist grandparents.
Sadly, True. And my grandparents aren't even from Texas. This goes along with the previous one. There are resources given freely to illegal immigrants that are taken from hard working Texans. That can cause some hatred, but it s greatly misdirected. Again, the system needs to be fixed. Not all my grandparents are racist and my parents don't carry any of those traits thankfully so I wasn't raised with any of those beliefs. I didn't learn what racism was until I was about 9. I'll share that story at another time. I'm very grateful to my parents for having such loving open hearts and that they passed that on to us.
Number 18: Texans are addicted to air conditioning.
True. It's hot here. We like to complain about it. We have several saying about how hot it is.
It’s hot as the hinges of hell. It's hot as a two-dollar pistol. It's hot as a stolen tamale. It’s hotter than whoopee in woolens. It's hotter than a fur coat in Marfa. Hot as a billy goat in a pepper patch. So hot the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs. Hot as a summer revival. Hotter than a honeymoon hotel. Hotter than a burning stump.
Not that we say these.
Very often.
Number 19: Texans are tan.
False. I visited Minnesota when I was a teenager. My mom's family is there. I was told that I wasn't very tan for being a Texan. You know that whole addicted to air conditioning? Yea, that's inside. We stay inside when it's hot. And it's hot a lot. When we get tans, it's mostly faces and hands/arms and that's not attractive on a woman ;)
Number 20: Texans are full of themselves.
True. Especially when we are defined by the state we live in. We think Texas is awesome and we are awesome for living here and even more so if we are from here! My husband changed his name when he became a citizen. His middle name is legally now Tex. We are proud of our state and our culture. And we should be, because it is awesome!