What do you guys think of Texas and the people who live here?

[Marik2]

I'm seriously curious about what the Escapist thinks about me and my homeland. I know that this may sound like this is aimed strictly at members of the USA, but I also want to hear some of our European and Australian Escapists thoughts on Texas.

From what you know or hear about Texas, what do you think Texas and Texans are like? DO you think it's the usual stereotype of do you have your on opinion?

Im from San Antonio, TX and everyone is pretty nice around these parts.

 

[Koroviev]

My automatic response is "diametrically opposed to California and other liberal states," but I suppose the reality is that it really isn't too different from other states. I'm fairly confident that my perspective is rather skewed.

 

[iDoom46]

As a New Yorker, I used to look down upon/think lowly of the South in general and I had a particular unfounded hate for Texas, being the epicenter/bastion of right-wing conservativeness in the country and all. I also blamed Texas for perpetuating the stereotype that all Americans are fat slobs.

However, I have since grown up. I now realize that hating somebody based on political differences is the stupidest thing you can possibly do, because we're all decent people and Texans are about as decent as they come.

Plus you've got tons of cool people that live in Texas! Psyguy (from GG-Guys), everyone from FUNimation, and the whole Rooster Teeth crew all live in Texas. With all that awesome going on, its really hard to hate.

anc[is]I try really hard to remember people all suck equally, but you know that one episode of Family Guy where they move there and they're all professional queer beaters and just generally retarded? That's what comes to mind

I was actually offended by that episode for perpetuating those negative stereotypes, especially since Family Guy has worked so hard to destroy negative left-wing/liberal stereotypes. I kept expecting Brian to learn a lesson about hating on the Texans, but in never came.
I was disappoint.

 

[Slick Samurai]

Ummm my 2nd oldest brother and his family live in El Paso. So... good? I dunno pretty much the only thing I think of when I think of texas is my brother, ball blistering heat, pantera, and...

really dude?

I'm from Texan suburbia, and from what I've seen from the show, the non-outlandish aspects seem to be an accurate representation. In all told truths, not much different from other suburbias, tight knit and welcoming. Sometimes you can find undertones of racism or xenophobia, but only if you look for it.

In all told truths I have had my fair share of bad and good from Texas, I've met people I've like and disliked. The BBQ is great and most folks are friendly.

 

[Eggsnham]

I think Texas' situation is almost like a miniature version how world seems to view America:

Most of us think you're idiots because of the few loud idiots and the many stereotypes, but the reality is that you're most likely normal, sensible folks trying to life their lives.

Oh, and to clear it up, I'm an American. Just to ward off any confusion.

 

[imnot]

In all honesty this

Spoiler

 

[PrimoThePro]

Ugh, state specific threads?

That's like me asking what people think of Nottinghamshire.

People were very nice there when I visited, except one man when I asked him directions, "Fook aff, ya yank prick."
OT: I know nothing of Texas, except it's hot there, and you have real cowboys.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Ugh, state specific threads?

That's like me asking what people think of Nottinghamshire.

You live in Nottingham? if yes *high five* I am there too, where about?

OT: not much apart from I think Chuck Norris lives there which is alright I guess

 

[Spawny0908]

I've lived in Texas for 9 years now. In the town I live in it's all racists and inbreeders. All the girls are rich snobs trying to act like their rich snob parents. The accents are annoying, and if you like animals, prepare to mocked. Also you might want to never leave your house if you were anything dark colored, are not obese, or have anything more than a slight Northern twinge to your accent. Get me out of here, please.


Dallas is OK, Houston and Austin too. But in general the small towns suck.


Also, if you're an atheist or in any way a free-thinker or artist. Prepare to be killed to death with shotguns.

Damn....I'll stay in Pittsburgh thanks. The winters are cold but I love my home.

 

[mduncan50]

A Texan will give you the shirt off his back, and shoot you for not taking it.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

I haven't been to Texas and I haven't really got a concrete view of them, per se. However, when you take into account both Bush Jr. and Sr. are from there...it doesn't make trying to imagine positive things any easier.

<spoiler=However, there is hope for Texans...as this guy claims at 0:19 he is originally from Texas>

 

[William Dickbringer]

Ummm my 2nd oldest brother and his family live in El Paso. So... good? I dunno pretty much the only thing I think of when I think of texas is my brother, ball blistering heat, pantera, and...

Ahhh ninja'd yeah I immediately thought "I sell propane and propane accessories"
sorry texas people I really have little experience than what tv protrays and that's not good but I hear it's a nice place

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Ugh, state specific threads?

That's like me asking what people think of Nottinghamshire.

You live in Nottingham? if yes *high five* I am there too, where about?

OT: not much apart from I think Chuck Norris lives there which is alright I guess

I live up around Mappereley, only a short bus ride to get into the town center.

 

[Hectix777]

As a New Yorker, I used to look down upon/think lowly of the South in general and I had a particular unfounded hate for Texas, being the epicenter/bastion of right-wing conservativeness in the country and all. I also blamed Texas for perpetuating the stereotype that all Americans are fat slobs.

However, I have since grown up. I now realize that hating somebody based on political differences is the stupidest thing you can possibly do, because we're all decent people and Texans are about as decent as they come.

Plus you've got tons of cool people that live in Texas! Psyguy (from GG-Guys), everyone from FUNimation, and the whole Rooster Teeth crew all live in Texas. With all that awesome going on, its really hard to hate.

anc[is]I try really hard to remember people all suck equally, but you know that one episode of Family Guy where they move there and they're all professional queer beaters and just generally retarded? That's what comes to mind

I was actually offended by that episode for perpetuating those negative stereotypes, especially since Family Guy has worked so hard to destroy negative left-wing/liberal stereotypes. I kept expecting Brian to learn a lesson about hating on the Texans, but in never came.
I was disappoint.

Dude, it's Family Guy. Not only that, it's FOX. Since when does Family Guy care about the feeling of others. Seth MacFarlane's shows have pretty much trashed every single religion and culture except for white's and Satanists and Muslims. If you ask me, everything Seth has done is a Freudian slip into who he really is, a racist republican whose entire family came from his cousin and does a little unholy jizz on the side. True, we don't have an extremely potent homosexual community or an extremely present handicapped community, but it's not really a place for those people. People can get pretty religious out, true, but I'm religious and I sympathize with the handicapped and homosexual. It's not that we hate them, it's just that they don't have a dominating presence here(hehehehe, gay domination).

 

[The Rockerfly]

I live up around Mappereley, only a short bus ride to get into the town center.

I live in Lenton, near derby road about 25 minutes from the city so it's alright and buses here are brilliant. Only been here for a few months so I will be honest I have no idea where you are in relation to me

 

[Hectix777]

A Texan will give you the shirt off his back, and shoot you for not taking it.

Yeah that sounds about right. You know what, here, keys to my Lambo. Take it or I'll mow ya down. But yeah, it's a good way to put it. That said, theres no problem with being OVERLY generous or helpful, right? Though, people do get offended if you don't accept our help or gifts. Makes us believe we can't do this task or your to good for our gifts. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of sociolgoy, but it's a pretty good one.

Let me put it like this: new neighbor moved in next door in your apartment; you decide to welcome her because she is hot and it's a good sign of a proper welcome. You spend 2 and a half hours making a perfectly baked, glazed, and awesome tasting cake, it's perfect, should be in a magazine. You go next door to give it to her, you find out that she has a boyfriend but he is some several hundred miles away, you still have a chance but if she mentions him it might last longer. You think," i can't woo her she's spoken for," but that just crosses off one reason you come. You still have the cake you spent nearly 3 hours baking, you offer it to her and she says," No thank you, I don't like sweets." You basically feel like you just spent 3 hours on a perfect, when you hate baking, in order to both attempt to woo her and also make her feel welcome. Are you going to politely walk away, insist that she tries it until the sun sets, or get pissed that she thinks your cooking tastes like crap? I'd get pissed.

 

[lumenadducere]

I try in general to keep an open mind about places and not rely on stereotypes. My only first-hand experience of Texas was a few hours at the Dallas airport, so any opinion I have should undoubtedly be taken with a large handful of salt. That being said, I wasn't too pleased. Right-wing radio at the shops, TSA agents being jerks, and people who seemed to feel it was appropriate to make assumptions about me based on nothing at all. And a whole lot of love for a state without any real reason as far as I could see.

I have a group of friends I used to be roommates with who went there for a week to go to a wedding and they said the same thing, but they said the rural areas were worse. That and a lot of the recent political news coming out of there hasn't been to my liking, either. So no, not a whole lot of love for the lone star state coming from my end. But as with all things, YMMV.

 

[lumenadducere]

Let me put it like this: new neighbor moved in next door in your apartment; you decide to welcome her because she is hot and it's a good sign of a proper welcome. You spend 2 and a half hours making a perfectly baked, glazed, and awesome tasting cake, it's perfect, should be in a magazine. You go next door to give it to her, you find out that she has a boyfriend but he is some several hundred miles away, you still have a chance but if she mentions him it might last longer. You think," i can't woo her she's spoken for," but that just crosses off one reason you come. You still have the cake you spent nearly 3 hours baking, you offer it to her and she says," No thank you, I don't like sweets." You basically feel like you just spent 3 hours on a perfect, when you hate baking, in order to both attempt to woo her and also make her feel welcome. Are you going to politely walk away, insist that she tries it until the sun sets, or get pissed that she thinks your cooking tastes like crap? I'd get pissed.

That makes no sense to me, though. She's not insulting your cooking (or baking, in this case) she's just refusing on the grounds of not liking the type of food that's being presented. It's not personal - although in this case she would be a complete snob for refusing. I'd understand getting upset/mad for having wasted that time and for her not being appreciative of you doing so, because a flat-out refusal is inconsiderate on her part. But getting upset because it's as an insult to your ability? That's silly because that implication was never made in any way, shape, or form. It has everything to do with the cake and nothing to do with you.