The REAL Texas?

[radiolibre99]

I agree that Houston is the capital city of the Gulf as it's the most important but is Dallas really considered plains area city? I see it and especially ft worth as very Texan.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I agree that Houston is the capital city of the Gulf as it's the most important but is Dallas really considered plains area city? I see it and especially ft worth as very Texan.

Yes, it absolutely is.

Here is the fallacy. You're thinking because Dallas is a Plains city and Houston is a Gulf city they can't also be Texas too. The Plains extends beyond state borders and goes from around Waco all the way up into Canada. Dallas is the largest and most important city in that region the same way Houston is for the Gulf.

As far as seeing the real Texas, I would argue you won't see it in Dallas or Houston because they are too big and whenever you get into an urban environment thats diverse, it blurs any cultural distinctions for a region. To really gage what region a city belongs to, you must venture outside the city into the small towns surrounding it. Thats where you can see North Texas belongs to the Plains region. Ive spent tons and tons of time in the Plains states and if I drove you though a small town in Iowa vs. a small town in North Texas, they would be hard to separate except for the demographics (small towns in Texas tend to still have good numbers of Mexicans and African Americans).

Here is the article in case you're interested:

Dallas, Capital of the Great Plains | FrontBurner | D Magazine

And the map:

http://images.forbes.com/special-rep...ssets/gate.jpg

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by tfjdsyj

Texas is a state of mind. Wave at your neighbor, live and let live, and show an honest concern for your fellow man. There's many other things too, but it's a state of mind and a way of living.

I wouldn't call Texas live and let live outside the major cities and a few other spots. Texas loves to cram conservative/political Christianity down people's throats. You get a break from that in the big cities and some suburbs thanks to the diversity there.

[UTHORNS96]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

I wouldn't call Texas live and let live outside the major cities and a few other spots. Texas loves to cram conservative/political Christianity down people's throats. You get a break from that in the big cities and some suburbs thanks to the diversity there.

How do you know that Texas loves to cram that stuff down people's throats? From politicians looking for votes? I taught school in a little town of 6000 and the knew I was a democrat, nothing ever got shoved down my throat. Though I did hear statements I generally disagreed with, that's to be expected when a town swings so heavily one way. I never felt like anyone was trying to single me out though. That rarely happens in daily life. Only politics.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by UTHORNS96

How do you know that Texas loves to cram that stuff down people's throats? From politicians looking for votes? I taught school in a little town of 6000 and the knew I was a democrat, nothing ever got shoved down my throat. Though I did hear statements I generally disagreed with, that's to be expected when a town swings so heavily one way. I never felt like anyone was trying to single me out though. That rarely happens in daily life. Only politics.

Thats pretty much what I meant to say. But the politics says a lot...

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

I wouldn't call Texas live and let live outside the major cities and a few other spots. Texas loves to cram conservative/political Christianity down people's throats. You get a break from that in the big cities and some suburbs thanks to the diversity there.

I know right! I don't get where these folks live that they experience this absolute wonderful Texan/Southern hospitality? They have to be white talking about an all white small conservative Christian majority town. The live and let live vibe is definitely in the major cities.

[Bobloblawslawblog]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

As far as seeing the real Texas, I would argue you won't see it in Dallas or Houston because they are too big and whenever you get into an urban environment thats diverse, it blurs any cultural distinctions for a region.

Eh... yes and no. I agree that both cities have such a diverse blend of culture that's influenced by both out of state as well as out of country, that makes them feel and look very different from the rest of the state... but isn't that also something that at least in the modern era is also very representative of Texas? Houston and Dallas are indeed a very different strain of Texas than the rest of the state, and to a lesser extent so are San Antonio and Austin... but still very much Texan. Texas is a diverse state, and really it always has been. Six flags and all that (not the theme park either). It's a huge state that encompasses and bridges several regions, with huge variations in topography, weather, elevations, and above all... CULTURE. Diversity should be celebrated by all Texans, not just the stereotypical aspects of the cowboy in his ten-gallon hat and big cowboy boots rustling cattle on the lone prairie.

The big cities are just as integral to Texas' authenticity as any small town or small city.

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I don't know. I grew up in Houston and it always felt more like the south, ie Louisiana.

When I traveled to Austin up the hill country and even further up to Dallas I got the impression I was in the "real" Texas. Like the kinda texas I read about in Texas monthly.

That's exactly the experience I had. When I lived in Houston I thought it was Texas. Then I went to UT and encountered people from all over Texas and was exposed to Texas culture that is lacking in Houston. Like Texas country music, brisket, jackalopes, etc.

SE Texas probably has more ties to Louisiana and to Asia and the Middle East than to the rest of Texas