13 Lies About Texas Most People Fall For
The Lone Star State, Texas, gets its fair share of tall tales and stereotypes. These stories, gotten from pop-culture, and hearsay, create a distorted view about Texans, ignoring the state’s rich culture and diversity. The state is far more than what these generalizations and exaggerations suggest.
Texans are diverse with different backgrounds and they live in environments ranging from cities to rural farmlands. These differences make many of the cliches associated with them untrue. Here are common lies about Texas you might have heard.
Everything Is Bigger In Texas
Of course, Texans are proud of the state’s size; it’s the second largest in the U.S. however, not everything here is supersized. The portion sizes in restaurants are not that different than what you’d find in other states. People have turned ‘everything is bigger in Texas’ from a fun way to proudly showcase some state pride, to an actual measuring contest.
Texas Is Nothing But Desert
Parts of West Texas are desert, but the state is surprisingly lush. For example, East Texas is covered in dense pine forests and the Hill Country is rolling green, with wildflowers. The coastline along the Gulf of Mexico has sandy beaches and marshes. Forests cover a significant part of the state’s land area, hardly a barren wasteland!
Everyone Wears A Cowboy Hat
During the rodeo season or in small towns, you might spot cowboy hats, but you’re just as likely to see Texans wearing baseball caps or no hats at all. Cowboy hats are not something you wear every day, they are more of a symbol. Most Texans dress like anyone else in the country.
Texans Ride Horses Everywhere
Texas is a state known for its ranching history, but most people get around in cars. Houston’s traffic jams are infamous, and Texas has some of the busiest highways in the U.S. No one’s riding a horse to work, it’s probably for fun or a parade.
It’s Always Blazing Hot
Texas summers are hot, especially in Dallas or San Antonio. Texas is huge, though, and the weather is all over the place. Giant snowstorms are not uncommon in the Panhandle during the winters and coastal areas are usually milder and windy.
The Only Food Available Is Tex Mex
The population in Texas is as diverse as its culinary scene. From Vietnamese pho in Houston to authentic barbecue in Austin, you’ll variety. Vegan food is thriving in Dallas, and San Antonio has German inspired dishes because of its immigrant history. Texas has it all for foodies.
All Texans Are Conservative
Texas arguably has a reputation as the reddest of red states, but its politics are more complicated, in reality, than you may realize. Austin, Dallas and Houston are more urban and more liberal, while rural areas tend to be more traditional. A dynamic political mix has been created by the state’s rapid population growth and influx of new residents.
Texas is Culturally Homogenous
Texas can be viewed as a pot of different cultures since the Hispanic, African American, German, and Asian communities have contributed noticeably to life in the state. Some of the most ethnically diverse cities in the nation are cities like Houston.
Everyone Speaks With A Drawl
The Southern drawl is iconic, but it’s not universal in Texas. The accents vary widely depending on where you are in the state. You’re more likely to hear a neutral American accent in urban areas. Younger Texans have begun to take on some speech patterns attributed to pop culture, which has further diluted the ‘traditional’ sounds of Texas twang.
Texas Is All About Oil And Cattle
Oil and cattle were once the backbone of Texas’s economy, but the state has diversified. Texas is a leader in technology, renewable energy and healthcare today. Texas is a leader in wind energy production, and Austin is often referred to as “Silicon Hills” for its booming tech industry.
You’ll See Armadillos Everywhere
Texas is full of armadillos, but they’re not on every street corner. They are shy quirky creatures that like rural areas. And if you do see one, it’s most likely scurrying away, not posing for pictures. State parks might be where wildlife enthusiasts catch a glimpse, but urban sightings are rare.
Texans Are Obsessed With Football
The Dallas Cowboys practically are a religion for some football fans and high school football games draw huge crowds, but not everyone is interested in football. The San Antonio Spurs have one of the most loyal followings in the NBA.
Texans Are Unfriendly
Many Texans pride themselves on their hospitality and friendliness. They go out of their way to make others feel welcome. This stereotype about being standoffish is far from the truth.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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