New Zealanders visiting

[TrueDat]

No one can guarantee you that you won't run into some whisper of racism along the way but it's not something to fret over. As a black person who traveled to New Zealand some years ago, I had similar concerns but found most people to be friendly and welcoming. (Except for some guy in some nightclub that was giving me the evil eye but who knows what his problem was.)

But if I were coming from lush, green NZ, I'd be more concerned about the summer heat in the South and Southwest. I drove from Dallas to Los Angeles last summer and it never dipped below 100F the entire way -- and it was 110/112 in Phoenix and Tucson. So, pack your sunscreen!

Back to your original point, people around the world forget that Texas is not stuck in the 19th century and it's a big, diverse state that includes the country's fourth largest city (Houston), fourth largest metro (Dallas/Fort Worth), and one of the country's largest universities (UT Austin). So, welcome to Texas and have fun!

[young&restless]

You do not need to worry about Texans. They may seem tough and rigid in their cowboy hats and boots but in reality they are some of the nicest, friendliest, hospitable people of this country. Dont let their intimidating looks deceive you. You'll be in great hands while visiting the great state of Texas. By the way, I am not a Texan, so I am not being biased!

[Paddington]

I'm not from Texas or even a Texas fan, but honestly nobody is going to notice or care that you came into town or that you left.

It's not like there's a border patrol around Texas that looks out for biracial couples and lynches them when they cross the border into the state, which is what your post seems to imply.

[jread]

Originally Posted by aj_nz

im looking forward to texas the most, i posted in those states 2...are there really kiwis living in Texas??!!?? had no idea

Yes, there are many kiwis here... in fact, there are people from all over the world here.

Let me give you some perspective:

Population of New Zealand: 4,000,000

Population of Texas: 23,500,000


Population of Texas' largest 4 metro areas:

Dallas - 6,000,000
Houston - 5,000,000
San Antonio - 2,000,000
Austin - 1,500,000


As you can see, we have two urban areas that have more people than the entire country of NZ. This isn't the backwoods... Texas is mostly an urban, cosmopolitan state full of educated people from various locations. I absolutely hate that stereotypes still exist that say otherwise. Saying that Texas is full of racist rednecks is like saying that New Zealand is full of a bunch of "sheep shaggers".

[person]

Most folks are good and really friendly, but you get your idiots anywhere, just like in NZ I expect.

Last year, my friend white, with his wife asian, and their one baby, drove from San Diego to Houston, on the way from Austin to Houston they stop by a fish diner kind of place. According to him, two guys (he called them rednecks), came in and sat diagonally behind them. When the waitress came over, one of them told the waitress rather loudly that they would like the 'flied lice' she's having, pointing at his table. Keep in mind its a diner, and she was eating a freaking sandwich. My friend didn't do **** except gave them a look. Of course, no one else gave a **** either. The wife had to made him go cause she was scared as hell.

And nowadays with all the PCness, its hard to know who is a racist anyway. I have distant relatives whose looks fit the redneck stereotype to a T, but they are like the friendlest folks around.



BTW, I really love NZ, it is really beautiful. Chase a bunch of sheeps last time I was there.

[SHEA REEVES]

Originally Posted by aj_nz

hi my friend and i are going to b travelling by road from Phoenix to Florida and will be touring part of the state. We are plutonic, non married blond caucasion male 21 and african-new zealander female 21, i am just concerned about how that would be received in TX, in fact we are quite worried due to stories and tv etc weve heard/watched. Just like some honest opinions on local attitudes to bi-racial opposite sex new zealand friends please and if we'd have a hard time or be welcomed, thanks. Andre and Jazmine

Dude come on it is 2007 Texas is just as hip as any other part of the country. What stories? What part of Texas are you guys going to be
traveling through? Not that it matters but hey... not to be rude or anything
like I said it is 2007 not 1945. Depends on what your defination of being
welcomed is. Good luck and be safe!