Many people have been moving to Texas over the past few years, and some traits may seem odd to non-native Texans.
KXAN Austin posted a poll on their Facebook account and asked their viewers about some things they have noticed about living in the Lone Star State.
One of the first things that non-natives notice is Texas pride. Texas flags hang all over the state and some of the responses acknowledge this.
“I mean, we were technically our own country at one point,” replied one viewer. “We get to fly our flag the same level as the US flag.”
Another aspect of Texas pride comes from the state pledge. Texas is one of just 16 states to have their own pledge and some viewers were surprised by this.
“It still weirds me out that kids say a pledge to the Texas flag,” a viewer said.
The next odd part of Texas that viewers discussed was driving. Texas already contains fast speed limits, such as the 85-mph limit on Texas State Highway 130, but some viewers said that these limits were more of a suggestion.
“Craziest thing I have observed; traffic signs are simply a suggestion,” one viewer said.
Although driving in Texas may be odd for some people, another part of Texas includes the most popular animals.
Texas does not have an official state mammal but there are popular animals in Texas culture. The Texas Longhorn, Nine-banded armadillo, and Mexican free-tailed bat are animals commonly associated with Texas. Some viewers thought it was odd they hadn’t seen any for a long time.
“I lived here for nearly 10 years before I saw a live armadillo,” said one viewer.
Others disagreed and said they loved the wildlife in Texas.
“It’s like living in a National Geographic movie…. All the different wildlife…,” said another viewer.
While some disagreed about wildlife in the state, many viewers agreed about the parking situation. Drivers may notice a large number of pickup trucks, but parking lots do not always account for the large trucks.
“I find it odd that so many ppl have huge trucks, yet so many parking lots have really narrow spots,” a viewer said. “Even my small SUV is too big for most parking spots!”
“My VW Golf doesn’t even fit in the compact car spots. I had to climb out my trunk one day just to get lunch,” agreed another viewer.
Finally, some viewers commented on some odd Texas traditions. One of these odd traditions discussed by a viewer involved tea.
“Sweet tea = tea with sugar. Tea = tea. Why ‘unsweet’???” asked one viewer.
This question was then clarified by another viewer.
“Because sweet is the default so you have to specify unsweet,” the viewer replied.
Another tradition discussed involved how Texans speak. One viewer said that the word “y’all” was very prevalent in Texas conversation and that it took some time to get used to this phrase.
Texas’ large mammal is the longhorn & small mammal is the armadillo. Non-native teacher here that had to learn all of this.
Welcome to Texas.
Native Texas here – I have live armadillos in my back yard all spring and summer as well as Cardinal families. Do not kill an armadillo…it’s bad luck. Not really, but they are great for the environment eating insects and keeping the pest population down although they may go after some plants. I live in the highly populated middle of two North Dallas suburbs.. And remember “y’all” is plural (you all.).
Just don’t touch one. They carry leprosy.
Same here. We have a whole herd of dillos out back of our home. The rascals sometimes dig dens under the house and I have to get my trap out. It is a humane trap which locks them in a cage. I then take them to a very large park next to a lake and release them.
Sen on a T-shirt – “I wish Americans loved America the way Texans love Texas”. Pretty much sums it up ……
This quote from the article is simply not true – “I mean, we were technically our own country at one point,” replied one viewer. “We get to fly our flag the same level as the US flag.” The US Flag Code is very clear on this misstatement.
The U.S. flag ALWAYS fly’s above all other flags
Well . . . kinda. While other flags may not fly higher (the wording is “with greater prominence”) than the national flag, all other states may fly at the same height as the usa flag.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/curious-texas/2018/01/10/why-can-texas-fly-its-flag-at-the-same-height-as-the-u-s-flag-curious-texas-investigates/
If you have more than one flag pole, the Texas flag can fly at the same level as US. If it’s on one pole, then the US flag always goes first and Texas flag beneath.
Actually the word “state” means Country as in Sovereign Nation. Each of the 50 states is in fact a constitutional country with VERY diverse laws. The United States Constitution joined together these countries in agreement to defend against invaders, negotiate international treaties and to promote and assure interstate commerce was held without taxation on equal terms.
In fact if one reads the Constitution and amendments based upon the dictionary of the time one finds that the limits on the federal government are SEVERE and violated DAILY.
Before the revolutionary war, the term was THESE UNITED STATES. During and after the Occupation of the South the term was changed by the victors to “The Untied States”. IT makes no difference as both actually mean the same, however the intent was to subvert the rights of states and have them controlled by the Fed.
Texas has invoked the “Invasion” clause of its Constitution. The United States is BOUND BY LAW to defend the borders of Texas because of that declaration. Texas also gained the RIGHT to full military use of its militia to eject those invaders using national guard without regard to the wishes of the FED. In other words lethal defense.
Legally speaking at some point Texas may decide to disengage itself through the processes of the United Nations and become a stand alone sovereign again.
All things considered, this might be a good thing.
“Craziest thing I have observed; traffic signs are simply a suggestion.” That’s not a Texan thing, that’s a newcomer thing. Texans know we are supposed to obey all the traffic signs. I hope the newcomers get ticketed the good old-fashioned Texas way, so we can all drive friendly.
First: Austin is weird, and always has been. They are so proud of it that in fact their slogan is “Keep Austin weird”, which they have absolutely no problems doing. Second: Anyone that moves here and finds Texas customs, mannerisms and life uncomfortable are invited to keep on moving on. Don’t Mess With MY Texas!
I wasn’t born in Texas – but I got here as fast as I could !! I was only 9 when I got here, so I had to bring my whole family with me. Been here now for over 60 years. My son and grandkids are native Texans. God Bless Texas !!
I’ve lived here all my life, 66 years, just saw my first live armadillo last year, y’all. I was in a friends back yard at the time sippin’ on some sweetea.
When I first came to Texas more than 30 years ago, I was amused by the many tongue-in-cheek jokes about rain. For example, “Sure do wish it would rain — for the li’l uns of course, I’ve seen rain.” or “Had some 3-year-old bull frogs drown in the stock tank when it rained t’other day. Never had learned how to swim.”
Bless their hearts.
If they could only clean up their trash! https://dallasexpress.com/city/dallas-among-dirtiest-cities-in-country/