Am I going to have culture shock in TX?

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by SpaghettiMonster

We are moving from Ann Arbor, MI. College town

My husband is a Michigan transplant. His take:
More pick up trucks. Lots more.
Cowboy boots. People that have never rode a horse wear them. With suits. With dresses. To church. To parties. To work. Not that everyone wears them, but there are a lot of people that do.
As BigDGeek noted, the pavement is different. Not as much blacktop either that absorbs heat and facilitates melting of ice. And, lots of traffic buttons along the lane striping. (My FIL was fascinated by these)

Hubby is a Wolverine. There is an active alumni group that gathers for game watching parties.
Dallas isn't known as a college town, but we do have Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Dallas, with nearby Texas Christian University, University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, University of Texas in Arlington, as well as many more small colleges.

Good Luck on your move.

[Beaching]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Me too. I was born and raised here, but I know how to drive on ice and in snow. They're not the same thing by a long shot!

When I'm out driving in winter weather, I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about the other drivers. I see a lot of idiotic things going on, often with cars sporting out of state plates.

Plus, a lot of people from up North don't seem to realize that we A.) have a different kind of pavement on our roads here...that is more prone to getting VERY slick...B.) we don't put winter or all-weather tires on our cars in winter, and C.) roads here are usually not treated with sand, salt, etc....or if they ARE treated, they're not treated properly.

If you're able, it really is more sane to just stay home. It doesn't mean we're a bunch of blithering idiots. It means we don't really have the infrastructure here to efficiently deal with the handful of days per year that we have ice or snow on the roads.

Right.

They will see, it is not the same at all. And a 4-wheel drive does not mean crap when it's ice.
Just the other night a friend that moved here several years ago from Minnisota said the exact same. Their first time with our ice they could not believe everything shut down. Then they got out and attempted to drive somewhere. He said he was sliding, she told her family back home that thought it was crazy everything was closed that, "it's not the same. It really is bad. You can not drive on this."

I have great driving skills. Really do. The ice we get is not like the snow that happens in the Midwest. I've driven in winter weather all over the country. Like you said, it's not me, it's other drivers. They think it's no big deal and Ya know, they are "used to this" being from wherever else. Then you see them spinning and sliding all over the road. I keep on creeping by and don't lose control.
Last year in yhst one bad one that hit late afternoon. I got stuck at the office late due to a meeting. I was not in a car I would have preferred to be in for ice. Sports car with high performance, low profile tires. I made it home fine by taking my time. My backend started to slide once. I had one arse in his 4-wheel drive truck get mad at me and honking. Whatever dude. If I spin out and crash your going to be stuck behind me waiting on a wrecker. At least I'm moving. When he went around me I saw the Illinois tags. He went flying down the road then did a 360. I passed him Then the black ice. The idiots that stop or slam on the brakes when they hit ice, ugh! No, you slow down before you get to the bridge but keep moving while you have traction.

Oh well. I say let them figure it out when they are spinning out or in a ditch and realize that those "Midwest driving skills" do not do a bit of good on Texas ice.

[deenie1]

I thought I saw that one in W. Plano! I'll be sure to go there on a warm day

Originally Posted by DitsyD

There is one Rita's in West Plano and one in Allen.
www.ritaswestplano.com
Welcome to the Twin Creeks Rita's in Allen, TX 75013!

[4Movingeast]

Originally Posted by Beaching

Right.

They will see, it is not the same at all. And a 4-wheel drive does not mean crap when it's ice.
Just the other night a friend that moved here several years ago from Minnisota said the exact same. Their first time with our ice they could not believe everything shut down. Then they got out and attempted to drive somewhere. He said he was sliding, she told her family back home that thought it was crazy everything was closed that, "it's not the same. It really is bad. You can not drive on this."

I have great driving skills. Really do. The ice we get is not like the snow that happens in the Midwest. I've driven in winter weather all over the country. Like you said, it's not me, it's other drivers. They think it's no big deal and Ya know, they are "used to this" being from wherever else. Then you see them spinning and sliding all over the road. I keep on creeping by and don't lose control.
Last year in yhst one bad one that hit late afternoon. I got stuck at the office late due to a meeting. I was not in a car I would have preferred to be in for ice. Sports car with high performance, low profile tires. I made it home fine by taking my time. My backend started to slide once. I had one arse in his 4-wheel drive truck get mad at me and honking. Whatever dude. If I spin out and crash your going to be stuck behind me waiting on a wrecker. At least I'm moving. When he went around me I saw the Illinois tags. He went flying down the road then did a 360. I passed him Then the black ice. The idiots that stop or slam on the brakes when they hit ice, ugh! No, you slow down before you get to the bridge but keep moving while you have traction.

Oh well. I say let them figure it out when they are spinning out or in a ditch and realize that those "Midwest driving skills" do not do a bit of good on Texas ice.

Just wanted to thank you for saying this! I think most of us who have spent time in both places understand.