So, Texas.
- Thread starter Dangit2019
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Theres a texan in my German class, he wears a cowboy hat and boots every day and theres a little nerdy kid whos texan in my programming class... im in canada so all i got to go on are texans are nerds or cowboys, the rest is just good television
*Shudders*Dangit2019 said:
Why would ANYBODY from here drink that? Especially when we have much better alternatives like St Arnolds, Rahr and Son, (My personal favorite) Shiner. etc.
Anyways, it always strikes a nerve with me when someone says things like "I'd expect (insert horrible act of discrimination and/or stupidity) from Texas..." I really hate it because it seems like we're just okay to pick on and stereotype, which I see as incredibly ignorant.
Hell, here in Houston we elected an openly gay mayor, one of the first ones to be elected in a major U.S city. Also, Anybody pointing to Rick Perry as a reason to constantly bash Texas, obviously knows absolutely jack shit about Texas. Governors in Texas really have very little actual power, most of the Executive power is with the Lieutenant Governor. Yes, I know how stupid that is.
Anyway, I should stop because I'm actually getting REALLY pissed off from reading the comments from that other thread.
Can I ask if you've ever worked as a cashier? I realize it seems like a weird question, but I promise I am going somewhere with this.Dangit2019 said:
See, I'm one of your neighbors to the north, from Oklahoma, and we've got pretty much the exact same reputation. For the longest time I felt the same way you do. I grew up in a college town, and knew lots of intelligent people. I just kind of felt like everyone was wrong about Oklahoma, or at least Stillwater (the town of my residence).
And then something happened. I took up employment as a cashier at a large grocery store (whose name I hesitate to mention because they'll hunt me down and fire me, but it's probably your first guess). I had culture shock in the town I had lived in my entire life. 75% of the people I deal with in my job are so mind numbingly stupid it's not even funny. I'm talking people so trashy that when they leave my register I sneak a bit of the hand sanitizer I keep near by because I touched something that they touched. Sometimes just because they were inhabiting the same air I was. When they look at you, there's this dull look in their eyes that says "I like watching cars go fast." There is no spark of real curiosity about or interest in the world. They just want a beer and a girl who's still got at least half her teeth left despite the meth addiction. They don't understand that there's something weird going on... that they should pay attention....
... I think I'm ranting here.
The point is it's not like they magically showed up the day I took up employment. These people were always there, the thing was that I never had to interact with them, and thusly did not notice them. So my question here is, is it possible that the stereotypically horrible people actually are there, but you've just never had to run in the same circles as them and as a result do not notice them?
I'm currently at college in Texas, right outside of Ft. Worth and it's actually really moderate here. I see more hatemongering and racism in Los Angeles than I do around here. I've actually been here for a little over a month and a half now and the first time I saw a person over 300 pounds was today. Frankly, I'd have thought that people on the escapist would like Rick Perry considering how he's basically giving away education to illegal immigrants.
EDIT:
Kroger? And those stereotypical people exist everywhere. I saw the same things working at a Ralphs in Glendale, only the air was full of Axe instead of stink.
EDIT:
2 things.Kpt._Rob said:
Kroger? And those stereotypical people exist everywhere. I saw the same things working at a Ralphs in Glendale, only the air was full of Axe instead of stink.
Fine, I said something stupid. It's late, I worked hard today and I'm not in a particularly good mood, so I'm going to refrain from posting. Goodnight Folks, sleep well!Mortai Gravesend said:
I dislike Texan stereotypes as much as any other Texan, but some things I will begrudgingly admit to having some truth to them.
- There are a LOT of trucks in Texas. Granted, there's a lot of trucks in America in general, but Texas beats it out. This is the one thing I truly resent about other Texans is how many of them own trucks but have absolutely NOTHING to haul, or at least nothing more than what can fit in a standard car trunk. Hell, my own sister (who wasn't born in Texas like me) got a truck as her very first car, and all I said when I saw it was "Why?" She said "Because I'm a Texan, duh!" And I just shook my head and walked away.
- There are a lot of hunters in Texas. Plenty of deer and hogs to hunt, and plenty of open space to go hunting in. Hunters own guns as well, so yea, a lot of Texans are gun owners and/or hunters (most of my Texas-based family, along with my Dad who considers himself a "naturalized Texan" do a lot of hunting trips). But it doesn't say anything about them as people, and hunting is popular in many areas of the country.
- There IS a Texas accent, but it actually isn't as common as other local accents are in other parts of the country. My grandmother and some other family members and some friends have one, but myself and my immediate family don't.
- Square dancing is far more popular in Texas than it is in other places. People wear cowboy hats and boots to them. So yea.
- Texas not only has barbecue, but it's the best barbecue you'll ever find in the entire country. North Carolina? Fuck that slop. Prove me wrong, bitches!
However, all the negative stereotypes about racism, bigotry, and intolerance are patently untrue. There are SOME people like that, but then, there are people like that EVERYWHERE, not just Texas. They also get elected to public office EVERYWHERE, and not just in Texas.
Oh, and one more thing:
NEVER.
EVER.
EVER.
Put beans in chili! If I'm eating your chili and I find so much as half a legume in there, a foul curse on your pathetic souls to be damned to the most severe levels of hell for all time! NO BEANS IN CHILI!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
- There are a LOT of trucks in Texas. Granted, there's a lot of trucks in America in general, but Texas beats it out. This is the one thing I truly resent about other Texans is how many of them own trucks but have absolutely NOTHING to haul, or at least nothing more than what can fit in a standard car trunk. Hell, my own sister (who wasn't born in Texas like me) got a truck as her very first car, and all I said when I saw it was "Why?" She said "Because I'm a Texan, duh!" And I just shook my head and walked away.
- There are a lot of hunters in Texas. Plenty of deer and hogs to hunt, and plenty of open space to go hunting in. Hunters own guns as well, so yea, a lot of Texans are gun owners and/or hunters (most of my Texas-based family, along with my Dad who considers himself a "naturalized Texan" do a lot of hunting trips). But it doesn't say anything about them as people, and hunting is popular in many areas of the country.
- There IS a Texas accent, but it actually isn't as common as other local accents are in other parts of the country. My grandmother and some other family members and some friends have one, but myself and my immediate family don't.
- Square dancing is far more popular in Texas than it is in other places. People wear cowboy hats and boots to them. So yea.
- Texas not only has barbecue, but it's the best barbecue you'll ever find in the entire country. North Carolina? Fuck that slop. Prove me wrong, bitches!
However, all the negative stereotypes about racism, bigotry, and intolerance are patently untrue. There are SOME people like that, but then, there are people like that EVERYWHERE, not just Texas. They also get elected to public office EVERYWHERE, and not just in Texas.
Oh, and one more thing:
NEVER.
EVER.
EVER.
Put beans in chili! If I'm eating your chili and I find so much as half a legume in there, a foul curse on your pathetic souls to be damned to the most severe levels of hell for all time! NO BEANS IN CHILI!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
Eh by Canadian standards we are, there are a far share of right wing nuts around here. Doesn't help that we've sent the Conservatives to office for 40 years in a row now, and the closest party to ousting them has been the fucking Wild Rose party. Had they won I would of packed my bags and walked to another Province if I had to.lacktheknack said:
You can blame Trudeau for that. If it makes you feel better, I wouldn't describe the current Progressive Conservative party as "conservative".Andrewtheeviscerator said:
Just like you said, the stereotypes are the ones that get the attention. And sadly, they'll shape people's opinions.
Damn it, now I'm going to have to start a thread on how not all of us from Mississippi are like the ones portrayed by the media or news.NinjaDeathSlap said:
I've lived in Texas for quite some time and I'll say that the stereotypes are only sometimes accurate. I grew up in the panhandle of the state and suffice it to say that when you think of Texas, that's probably the sort of place you imagine. It's generally comprised of small towns (Save for Amarillo and Lubbock, each of which is home to about 200,000 people) and is largely concerned with agriculture or fossil fuel. It is home to towns like Hereford where there are far more cattle than people and one does not need to look far to find a person who owns horses, or wears boots and a cowboy hat or owns an F-150. This is also the most staunchly conservative region of the state and is generally home to those who are likely to say the sort of things you roll your eyes about.
The western part of the state is largely concerned with the exploitation of various fossil fuels and many of the towns present are built on oil (Midland and Odessa for example). Because of self interest, many of the various anti-environmentalist claims attributed to the state are born here. This region is generally conservative in part because the labor jobs are skilled and largely populated by English speakers thus barring most immigrants from working them.
Eastern Texas (known as north Texas even though the panhandle extends several hundred miles further north) is home to one of the largest cities in the world - the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex (home to more than 8 million). Beyond the obvious ties to technology (Texas Instruments is based here, 3D Realms once called the place home and Id Software is based in one of the suburbs), the region is also home to vast natural gas reserves. This region is still generally conservative but is tempered by a massive immigrant population (both foreign and simply out of state). It is still possible to find people who own horses (because they are extortionately wealthy) or who wear cowboy boots or drive a truck as a fashion statement but it is no longer common.
Hill country is where things start to defy expectations. This region is home to an eclectic mix of people though German, Mexican and "Texan" are dominant. This region is home to San Antonio (site of the Alamo and home to 1.5 million people) Austin (The capital of the state, my current home and site of the University of Texas - also notable music destination thanks to the annual ACL festival and dozens of venues), and dozens of small wineries (some of them are very good). This region generally leans liberal with Austin strangely being the furthest left (on average). It is also home to a notable tech industry. Bioware maintained a large office in Austin until recent layoffs and Twisted Pixel (among other indie developers) calls Austin home. Dell computers is headquartered in Round Rock - a suburb to the north of Austin.
The coastal region (including Houston) is one that I sadly know little about having only visited once for a Renissance Fair. Strangely, Houston is host to one of the largest festivals of it's kind.
I suppose my point is simply that the state is certainly populated by people who meet the definition and those who might not explicitly meet it but are close enough for politicians and other talking heads to pander. But considering the state is home to more than 25 million people, it is safe to say that most are not what you imagine. Hell, the vast majority of the people in the state live in regions where extreme silliness gets the same eye-roll it does elsewhere.
The western part of the state is largely concerned with the exploitation of various fossil fuels and many of the towns present are built on oil (Midland and Odessa for example). Because of self interest, many of the various anti-environmentalist claims attributed to the state are born here. This region is generally conservative in part because the labor jobs are skilled and largely populated by English speakers thus barring most immigrants from working them.
Eastern Texas (known as north Texas even though the panhandle extends several hundred miles further north) is home to one of the largest cities in the world - the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex (home to more than 8 million). Beyond the obvious ties to technology (Texas Instruments is based here, 3D Realms once called the place home and Id Software is based in one of the suburbs), the region is also home to vast natural gas reserves. This region is still generally conservative but is tempered by a massive immigrant population (both foreign and simply out of state). It is still possible to find people who own horses (because they are extortionately wealthy) or who wear cowboy boots or drive a truck as a fashion statement but it is no longer common.
Hill country is where things start to defy expectations. This region is home to an eclectic mix of people though German, Mexican and "Texan" are dominant. This region is home to San Antonio (site of the Alamo and home to 1.5 million people) Austin (The capital of the state, my current home and site of the University of Texas - also notable music destination thanks to the annual ACL festival and dozens of venues), and dozens of small wineries (some of them are very good). This region generally leans liberal with Austin strangely being the furthest left (on average). It is also home to a notable tech industry. Bioware maintained a large office in Austin until recent layoffs and Twisted Pixel (among other indie developers) calls Austin home. Dell computers is headquartered in Round Rock - a suburb to the north of Austin.
The coastal region (including Houston) is one that I sadly know little about having only visited once for a Renissance Fair. Strangely, Houston is host to one of the largest festivals of it's kind.
I suppose my point is simply that the state is certainly populated by people who meet the definition and those who might not explicitly meet it but are close enough for politicians and other talking heads to pander. But considering the state is home to more than 25 million people, it is safe to say that most are not what you imagine. Hell, the vast majority of the people in the state live in regions where extreme silliness gets the same eye-roll it does elsewhere.
The truck is simply a status symbol in place of the SUV. That many have a practical purpose for the vehicle helps.Jack the Potato said:
I own a gun. Hell, I won several. A Sig Sauer SP2022 (used for amusement and IDPA matches), a Glock 30 (which I carry) a Sig Sauer Mosquito (My fiance wanted to accompany me to the range and this was the only gun we found in the initial search that met her ergonomic preference) and a Bursa Thunder (purchased because I love the Walther PPK but not the $600 price tag - this is my carry weapon if my garb will not allow the significantly larger Glock 30).Jack the Potato said:
I do not hunt in spite of great abundance of opportunity. I find the notion incredibly tedious. I do shoot relationally but that is a tertiary hobby to video games and books and I often justify it as I want to maintain proficiency since I choose to carry a weapon.
It's also very regional. The panhandle and west Texas often have strong accents. I grew up in the panhandle and yet most people think I'm from the midwest based on my accent. I do betray my upbringing with various phrases. I'll often accidentally use the word "y'all" for example.Jack the Potato said:
I've never known anyone my age who square dances (I'm 28). I've known people who's parents participated.Jack the Potato said:
I find I like different styles for different meats. Texas style brisket is the only correct version as far as I'm concerned but when it comes to pulled pork, I favor the Carolina style and when it comes to Ribs I favor Memphis.Jack the Potato said:
It is perfectly acceptable to add beans to chilli. It just isn't chilli anymore. My fiance disagrees and every time I make chilli I have to explain at length that chilli does not contain beans as the dish is known in full as "chilli con carne" or "chilli with meat". The title is more or less an inclusive list of ingredients (though cumin is a necessary spice as is salt. Onions are optional).Jack the Potato said:
I think those people will always be there for someone working retail no matter where you go...Kpt._Rob said:
Oh yeah, I've been there many times. They have the greatest turkey legs. Also, I saw them selling Ocarinas that were painted like the Ocarina of Time, which was pretty awesome.Eclectic Dreck said:
Less lies and more facts? Do you not know simple definitions?Mortai Gravesend said:
Minority: the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole; specifically : a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control
i.e. not as large of a group, or not as widespread.
When you dismissed his post, you were saying that, "No, they aren't a vocal minority, and here's why [saying they elected Rick Perry]
So yes, while certains Texans may have elected Rick Perry, this does not prove one thing or another, every state has had "those" leaders at one point or another
I've been to Texas once. Visited a friend who lived in a predominantly Asian neighborhood in Houston. Perhaps my experience was not typical, but the OP's illustration of the negative stereotype was not the impression about the Texans I met there.
But then again I'm a Kansan, and we don't like them Texas types round here.
But then again I'm a Kansan, and we don't like them Texas types round here.
