There are quite a few things that will impress you while you are in Texas. Texans in general, are known for their friendly attitude, amazing hospitality and easy-going nature. Having said that, they are going to be good to you as long as you are good to them so don’t mess with the Texans. Yes, there are certain things that can piss off a Texan and if you want to stay away from awkward conversations, here are 5 things you should avoid saying while you are in Texas.
1. ‘Do you have a gun with you?’
You must have seen quite a few movies where most of the locals in Texas carry a gun with them. This is partly true but don’t make the mistake of generalizing this fact. Yes, its true that Texans are allowed to carry handguns (with proper permit) but this doesn’t mean that everyone you meet is hiding a gun. Also avoid asking this question because it is quite lame and it’s none of your business.
2. ‘It is quite hot outside.’
Summers can get kind of unbearable but if you are visiting this country, you should have known this beforehand. You just have to get used to the weather and find ways to cool down just like the Texans do. Don’t complain about the weather. Instead, make the most of your trip. There are quite a few things that you can do in this country to cool off and beat the heat. You can take a dip at Barton Springs Pool in Austin or sip on a locally crafted beer in the Texas Hill Country.
3. ‘Do you ride a horse to work/school?’
Guys, these are just some things we have seen in the movies and is not true in real life. So know your facts well before you end up embarrassing yourself. Not everybody knows how to ride a horse. There are quite a few Texans who have a ranch outside the city but that doesn’t mean they ride a horse to work/school. Those who own ranches and have horses do own vehicles too. In fact, in cities like San Antonio and Austin, there are quite a few areas in the downtown that you cannot venture into without a car. So cars are quite normal in Texas, okay?
4. ‘Why aren’t you wearing your cowboy hat and boots?’
It goes without saying that not all Texans compete at the rodeo every weekend and own land. For those who don’t know what a rodeo is, it is a contest in which cowboys show their skill at riding broncos, roping calves, wrestling steers etc. Most Texans might own a pair of boots and a cowboy hat but that might just be a fashion choice that’s all.
5. ‘Why does everything come to a halt after it snows?’
You should know that even a brief amount snowfall can turn into dangerous ice in Texas. This in turn, makes the roads slick and slows the traffic to a standstill. This is quite a natural phenomena that you should be okay with. So don’t compare Texas weather with the winters up north and complain about the lack of proper infrastructure that Texas lacks in dealing with harsh weather. Just be okay with it and move on.
Okay, I think I have said enough now. Bye.
