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I think Europeans stereotype Texas along the lines offered by older literature and mass culture, cowboys, saloons, wild west frontier, open spaces, rugged individuals, sheriffs, gun fights and long extinct Bonanza things of that nature. I have an impression that Texans try to forge identity claims that fit those ancient mass culture stereotypes. An average American life is very codified and restricted, people seek an imagination escape, and for Texans it is easier, since Hollywood did all the imagining for them.
As the chicken farmer said in Napoleon Dynamite: "Boy, I don't understand a word you just said."
There could be two reasons for that, and I bet it is the one you wouldnt like to hear. That tough talking farmer needs to comply on the multiple levels to have a market for his chickens. So tough talk to the kids is his way to hold on to an illusion.
There could be two reasons for that, and I bet it is the one you wouldnt like to hear. That tough talking farmer needs to comply on the multiple levels to have a market for his chickens. So tough talk to the kids is his way to hold on to an illusion.
Here, it's mostly known for cowboys and the Wild Wild West. I don't think it has a bad reputation. The US is seen as a very religious country overall, not just Texas.
Here, it's mostly known for cowboys and the Wild Wild West. I don't think it has a bad reputation. The US is seen as a very religious country overall, not just Texas.
Interesting.
The thing that always strikes me as funny is that people the world over, including other regions of the US, associate the Wild West concept with Texas. Actually the eastern half of Texas is much more heavily populated than the western, more desert-like half. The eastern half is often hilly, usually very green (even in the summertime), with lots of lakes, rivers, trees, pastures, fields, etc. It doesn't look at all like the "wild West" movies.
I can't blame people for thinking this - before I moved to Texas, I had a lot of misconceptions about the state too. East Texas is surprisingly green and we actually get more rainfall annually than much of Northern Europe!
We do have some cowboys - the real thing, too. But most Texans live in urban or suburban areas.
Location: Segovia, central Spain, 1230 m asl, Csb Mediterranean with strong continental influence, 40º43 N
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Originally Posted by meet4
People and society
People are super friendly at your face, however it's extremely superficial and fake. Some people prefer that, I personally enjoy more NY/Boston approach where if somebody is smiling, you know it's genuine.
Society is very socially conservative and religious. Yes, I know central Austin or Houston, but those are tiny pockets. Travel in any direction for 30 minutes and you will be surrounded by streets lined by churches and social opinions ranging from mildly disturbing for 21st century to straight christian Taliban. You know, Lamar Smith or Rick Perry didn't get re-elected by accident.
That's why I prefer NyC, Boston or coastal PNW rather than Texas.
It couldn't be good to live near the Mexican border as well, because overall crime rates remain staggeringly high there.
That's why I prefer NyC, Boston or coastal PNW rather than Texas.
It couldn't be good to live near the Mexican border as well, because overall crime rates remain staggeringly high there.
LOL I live in Texas and the Mexican border is about an eleven hour drive from here. We don't have any "border drama."
And to clarify - people in Texas are about as far from "fake friendly" as you can get. You would be hard pressed to find more genuine, up front people. Of course there are exceptions but I'm speaking generally. In fact, they can be quite blunt. They're helpful - unless they realize that you're not willing to help yourself. They expect people to carry their own weight. Men still open doors for women, and women still appreciate it.
A Mexican region invaded by Americans received as guests?
That's quite a sweeping statement, I see Texas as a state that tries to not be one really. Admittedly, the mexican government was anti slavery and the whole freedom of Texas may not have been an old west things. But I feel it is more complex than that.
(Reply to my reply in the other thread btw)
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