How bad are the attitudes and unfriendliness in TX? (Houston: move to, friendly)

[explorer2014]

It totally depends on the region of Texas. West Texas is the real Texas and extremely friendly. Central and East Texas are less so.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by explorer2014

It totally depends on the region of Texas. West Texas is the real Texas and extremely friendly. Central and East Texas are less so.

I just don't get where people reach this conclusion. I haven't had less friendly interactions with people from east or central TX vs west Texas. Texans have been friendly in every region I've visited - equally so in fact.

But then, it probably helps that I'm friendly too.

By the way, ALL of Texas is "the real Texas." But this belief of yours that only West Texas is "the real Texas" may explain why you apparently have fewer positive interactions with people from other regions of Texas.

[explorer2014]

By the "real" Texas, I mean the Texas that most conforms with the ideas that outsiders have about Texas. West Texas is wide open plains, cowboy boots, an open and welcoming culture and very friendly folks.

The regions of Texas differ dramatically. It is certainly not one homogenous state. Yes, there are friendly people everywhere but on average, different regions exhibit different characteristics. Central Texas is much more pretentious than other parts.

[casimpso]

East Texas "institution" Big Earl’s Bait House and Country Store is not exactly rolling out the welcome wagon. In fact, quite the opposite. The story has been reported nationwide. This is certainly unwanted, negative press for the proprietor, city and region.

Do these people realize that many of us make decisions every day on where we shop, what we buy when we shop, where to get gas, where to travel--where our $ are going--based on what we perceive as the ethics of those receiving that money? (Exxon Mobil doesn't get a dime of my money, based on Exxon Valdez and their workplace discrimination policies. NOT A DIME.)

I'm guessing that Big Earl's is probably very busy right now, serving a lot of first-timers.
Gay Couple Told Not To Return To East Texas Restaurant « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Now juxtapose that negative publicity with this positive news from Houston.
Houston Passed Its Equal Rights Ordinance Last Night | Texas Monthly

I related earlier in this thread my family's negative, uncomfortable lunchtime experience in Nacogdoches--and that was a long time ago. Looks like it's business as usual in East Texas, 15 years later.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by casimpso

East Texas "institution" Big Earl’s Bait House and Country Store is not exactly rolling out the welcome wagon. In fact, quite the opposite. The story has been reported nationwide. This is certainly unwanted, negative press for the proprietor, city and region.

Do these people realize that many of us make decisions every day on where we shop, what we buy when we shop, where to get gas, where to travel--where our $ are going--based on what we perceive as the ethics of those receiving that money? (Exxon Mobil doesn't get a dime of my money, based on Exxon Valdez and their workplace discrimination policies. NOT A DIME.)

I'm guessing that Big Earl's is probably very busy right now, serving a lot of first-timers.
Gay Couple Told Not To Return To East Texas Restaurant « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Now juxtapose that negative publicity with this positive news from Houston.
Houston Passed Its Equal Rights Ordinance Last Night | Texas Monthly

I related earlier in this thread my family's negative, uncomfortable lunchtime experience in Nacogdoches--and that was a long time ago. Looks like it's business as usual in East Texas, 15 years later.

LOL funny - I've lived in East Texas for over twenty years and until this minute I had never even HEARD OF the "East Texas institution" called Big Earl's Bait House and Country Store. So I really don't think they are setting the cultural tone or norms of East Texas in general.

[evilcrusher]

In my experiences, don't bring up religion, and avoid it if it is brought up. Same with politics. That's when people get rude here. Outside of that the people tend to be rather friendly and helpful.

[DanielWayne]

People are polarized by religion and politics anywhere. It's not unique to Texas.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Disclaimer: I live in a part of Texas that is mostly populated by people from out of state and out of country (namely India, China, and Korea).

I don't find it any more or less friendly here than I did in California. People are nice enough, I certainly wouldn't call them rude at all. But, at least here, it's not a go out of your way to be friendly kind of place.

The most friendly place I've lived is Chicago. I find Chicago more friendly than Dallas or Austin and as friendly as Houston.

One thing I will say about living here (to the outsider anyway) is that urban Texas is surprisingly tolerant of any lifestyle or any culture.

[jerbear30]

Houston is extremely friendly. I moved here from Buffalo, NY. I was a little off-put by the friendliness at first because I assumed people must have been forced to be that friendly. Then I got used to it and when I went back to Buffalo to visit I was surprised by how rude everyone there was. In a lot of ways I still prefer Buffalo but not for the friendliness. That goes to Houston.

[katygirl68]

Originally Posted by jerbear30

Houston is extremely friendly. I moved here from Buffalo, NY. I was a little off-put by the friendliness at first because I assumed people must have been forced to be that friendly. Then I got used to it and when I went back to Buffalo to visit I was surprised by how rude everyone there was. In a lot of ways I still prefer Buffalo but not for the friendliness. That goes to Houston.

That's surprising to me as I assumed Buffalo would be friendly. I'd always heard people were more rude in the Northeast, but the one and only time I got up that way I was shocked at how friendly people were. It wasn't Buffalo though. I suppose the one thing you'll get in Houston that you won't get in other large cities is the random stranger chatting you up in line. I think people think it's weird or fake friendly in other areas. At least that's the vibe I get sometimes.