Why are Texans so defensive about their state? (Austin, San Diego: horse, title)

[Two4damoney]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Then why are people from those areas flocking to a "backwards" state?

Jobs, economy, low cost of living, decent quality of life, good place to start a family, religious values no matter what your faith is.

Yep, you nailed it. Good post.

[Trimac20]

I guessed it's mainly on CD, I've met a few who were annoying patriotic and got angry when I said anything about Texas, even if it was true. The people I met in Texas - well we didn't really discuss Texas much. I guess city data doesn't always reflect reality.

[polo89]

Originally Posted by Bass&Catfish2008

>>>>>
Yes, many Texans are prideful, but it has more to do with the Texas Gov't and the officials creating a sort of Ultra-Pride overload, rather than the everyday regular Texan citizen acting neurotic and going goo-goo ga-ga over being a Texan.
<<<<<

^^^

This. I think it is really more of a marketing campaign than anything else; and, you can't fault Texans (or the Texas govt.) for cashing in on this perception that has been created. Just think how much Texas makes on tourism alone from Yankees/Northerners who think Texas is a place where they'll see everyone in a cowboy hat, a six shooter, and a lasso to boot. Are there a few Texans that TRULY buy into the idea that they're better than someone from another state? Such idiots are few and far between and EVERY state has 'em.

The marketing campaign ("Everything's Bigger In Texas" and "Don't Mess with Texas") has definitely worked. Look how many Hollywood movies STILL portray Texas as a barren desert wasteland where everyone speaks with an exaggerated twang and looking for a fight.

It's not reality, however. On the negative flipside is the perception that Texans are backward. It's the same ol' garbage like the heinous assumption that Okies and Arkies married their cousin, blah, blah, blah.

Yep, it's the Texas Gov't marketing campaign that capitalizes on the image of the Texan being a prideful, ego-maniacal, braggart, with alot of bravado. Don't Mess With Texas is a KEY example(even though it was merely a anti-littering slogan rather then some huge pride-slogan). Most Texas residents live their lives, and see themselves with the same mirror everyone else see themselves with.

[polo89]

Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua

Other than Arkansas constantly poking Texas in the ribs and Oklahoma ringing Texas' doorbell and running, I don't see the reason for this slogan.

It's just a slogan, kinda like San Diego's title as "America's finest city". NYC: "City so nice, they named it twice". People look into Don't Mess With Texas and get so offended. I used to when I lived there, I used to hate that slogan and though that it made Texans overly prideful, but the more I hated it(and the more I hated Texas pride) the more I looked like the pretentious transplant.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

It seems Texans are the most defensive bunch of people when talking about their state.

That's the culture here in Texas.
Just to give you an idea... I live in Houston, 120 miles from Louisiana.
On TV when they show the weathermap, they only show the weather of Texas cities.... but don't show Louisiana cities that are closer than El Paso and Amarillo.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by Dopo

That's the culture here in Texas.
Just to give you an idea... I live in Houston, 120 miles from Louisiana.
On TV when they show the weathermap, they only show the weather of Texas cities.... but don't show Louisiana cities that are closer than El Paso and Amarillo.

Just so that I understand, you're looking for the Louisiana local weather forecast in Houston? I can't recall ever getting any localized weather reports when in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or New Mexico for that fact despite being within a 100 mile radius of say Texarkana, El Paso or Dallas etc. I don't know, I think you're reaching on this one.

I've learned one thing in my years of traveling, every state, city, country, district has it's own pride. Texas is just unique I guess in that we're not shy about expressing our pride. We don't feel the need to go to the Delaware sub-forum and brag about how great our state is either. But you will find people from other states or countries continually making such threads about Texas in the Texas sub-forums.

Texas pride is just something you get or you don't.

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Keep in mind I'm talking about a vocal component, not all Texans.

Thanks for clarifying

[doctorjef]

How do they show where the weather is coming from if they only show the state map? I don't recall that being the case in all our years in Austin. Maybe it's a Houston thing

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

These threads are a gross exagerration and just dumb. It is no different than New Yorkers that say you can't get good pizza anywhere else. Or Californians that think they have great weather (they don't actually have weather). Blah blah blah blah.

A pizza war is different, that kind of stuff goes on here all the time. There is a reason this thread exists and it is because Texans have a pride that goes beyond anything anyone from any other state expresses. And anyone not from Texas is aware of this.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

We don't feel the need to go to the Delaware sub-forum and brag about how great our state is either. But you will find people from other states or countries continually making such threads about Texas in the Texas sub-forums.

This reminds me of one such actor who is such a boor about Texas/Texans. He is always trolling these pages slinging his bags full of horse manure.

I fully agree about those from other areas spending much time here in the Texas forums. It seems some have unnatural fixations.

Oh, I am quite Texas proud ... I have no specific reasoning other than maybe it is genetic. I am not rude about it to others though.