Do Texans feel distinct from Americans from other states? (San Antonio: construction, to live)

[wpme]

It is not a matter of feeling distinct, it is about being distinctly different.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by pizzathehut

As a non-American I have always admired Texas for many different reasons. One of them being that Texas seems like the most autonomous state in the US. While most other states share commonality with the states that surround them, Texas, perhaps because it's large enough, seems like both it's own state and it's own region, and has it's own thing going on completely. It's not quite a southern state, it's not quite a western state, it's Texas. The Texas attitude, to me, also confirms this. Texans seem like a very self-sufficient people, they don't wait on others to tell them what to do. They do things their way. I admire this greatly. They also seem to have a love and passion for their state that people from other states don't have. Perhaps this was brought about by the revolution? I don't know this to be true but I would guess many Texans would define themselves as Texans first, Americans second. Would you agree?

I used to...then people from all over started flooding into my state and homogenized it into a mass of sprawling suburbia and concrete and diluted our culture.

[In_Correct]

Originally Posted by pizzathehut

As a non-American I have always admired Texas for many different reasons. One of them being that Texas seems like the most autonomous state in the US. While most other states share commonality with the states that surround them, Texas, perhaps because it's large enough, seems like both it's own state and it's own region, and has it's own thing going on completely. It's not quite a southern state, it's not quite a western state, it's Texas. The Texas attitude, to me, also confirms this. Texans seem like a very self-sufficient people, they don't wait on others to tell them what to do. They do things their way. I admire this greatly. They also seem to have a love and passion for their state that people from other states don't have. Perhaps this was brought about by the revolution? I don't know this to be true but I would guess many Texans would define themselves as Texans first, Americans second. Would you agree?

I agree on all of your observations. But "Texas: It's Like A Whole 'Nuther Country!" (or whatever they say), is just an advertising campaign to promote tourism. It is just like "Everything's Bigger in Texas!" is an advertising campaign to promote tourism.

Most Texans are proud Americans (U.S.A. citizens) and that comes first before loving Texas.

Also, I think other areas of U.S.A. seem to be like other nations instead of Texas. Alaska is huge and yet it does not resemble a separate nation?! There is Hawaii, Utah (Mormon capital of the world), Oklahoma (cave dwelling capital of the world), Louisiana (partying, drugs, halfway houses, more partying, and Parishes instead of Counties and below sea level. Much below sea level. ), Florida, California, New York (especially NYC) literally is like another nation. NYC probably isn't self-sufficient but that does not mean it couldn't survive on its own (and they certainly act like they can!) There are TWO Michigans so that other one is probably secretly nation. Because it is just plain unconstitutional to have "North Michigan" and "South Michigan". Colorado is freezing mountains, Arkansas is the Walmart capital of the world, Wisconsin looks like a giant chicken nugget, Nevada is filled gambling deserts, Arizona only has like 10 counties in the entire state. and the people in Washing ton State are very strange. So I think I have debunked the myth that Texas sticks out more than others regarding its resemblance to a separate nation.

In China there is Macau and Hong Kong (Fragrant Harbour... what does it smell like? fish? ). These are two administrative regions of China. If U.S.A. ever has something similar to a special administrative region, perhaps Texas could be one for U.S.A.

I do consider "Texas First" but most other Texans do not. They would move away if Texas became independent, no matter what. I will stay in Texas if U.S.A. gets overthrown by Mexico. But it is far more likely if Texas became independent, Mexico would overthrow just Texas instead. I would then move to U.S.A. or perhaps I would move to some other nation. (but not Mexico, not Canada [too cold] , and not any place in South America. ) Not Russia either. It has to be somewhere where it isn't cold!

I admire Texas. For all your reasons, plus the weather. I feel Texas is different compared to other states, and sometimes other Texans do, but not so much as you'd think.

[lonestar2007]

Originally Posted by wpme

It is not a matter of feeling distinct, it is about being distinctly different.

You got it!

[rwr]

Proud Texan, but not so proud American since the socialists have taken over and screwed over our once great country!

[metroxian]

Originally Posted by rwr

Proud Texan, but not so proud American since the socialists have taken over and screwed over our once great country!

It's going to get worse in a couple of election cycles...

Obama Admin. Won’t Let States Ask for Proof of Citizenship … On Voter Registration Form!

Texas will soon after become that separate region

[AuburnAL]

It's a bit disheartening seeing how many here put the Feds ahead of their state.

[Gunion Powder]

Originally Posted by AuburnAL

It's a bit disheartening seeing how many here put the Feds ahead of their state.

I find it disheartening that so many put their state and their nation ahead of the world. Especially since none of us were able to choose where we were born.

[AuburnAL]

Originally Posted by mega man

I find it disheartening that so many put their state and their nation ahead of the world. Especially since none of us were able to choose where we were born.

But you can choose where you live.

[eddie gein]

If you haven't noticed, one thing that makes Texans unique is how quick they are to bash other places. Just in this thread my state Oklahoma has been called a "Redneck school" and the "cave dwelling capitol of the world," (whatever these phrases mean). This is a pretty common trait seen in all the residents of the larger states in the USA but Texans are among the most notorious.

And Texans are really put off when a Californian, or a New Yorker or somebody from another big state tries to talk down Texas. That's when you really get to see the sparks fly. Especially when said Californian or New Yorker has moved to Texas and starts to criticize Texas. (They don't care how you did it up north!!!)

I think the move ins have diluted the Texas uniqueness to some degree (in the big cities) but I would say that it is mostly the natives who see this. An outsider who comes to Texas could still sense that Texas is different than other places. The most notable thing being the ubiquitous state flag and 90% of the time it is flown at the same height as the American Flag. This is one thing you don't see any where else.

Another thing that you see in Texas that you don't see other places is that the Cowboy culture is somewhat more integrated into the social fabric of Texas than it is most places. For instance, in Texas, in some places it isn't totally uncommon to see a lawyer type in a suit and tie along with a cowboy hat and boots. Not like it used to be but it still happens. Even in "redneck" Oklahoma you don't see that.

And Texas has put it's mark on the food culture with their chili, barbeque beef, and Tex Mex and the real Mexican cuisine of south and southwest Texas.

These are just a few of the hallmarks of Texas besides the history that an outsider will be quick to notice.