What is Texas Culture?
We're trying to figure that out.
Never in my life have I heard “Sir” and “Ma’am” used more than in any conversation in Texas.
Deli counters as far as the eye can see filled with…beef jerky. Various types of jerkey. I asked the man at the deli counter at the famed Bucee’s truck stops and he said with a smile “Yeah, we like beef here in Texas…cattle grow well here.”
Every yard is adorned with one if not two barbeque pits. Texans might not brag about their barbeque but rather have such confidence of its greatness that they don’t even consider other states “barbeque” to be on the same playing field as theirs. “If you have to cover your meat with a sweet sloppy sauce, it can’t be good” in reference to North Carolina’s BBQ. “Doesn’t matter if its vinegar or tomato-based sauce either.“
The music scene here is very similar to what I predicted on our drive. Kids, put George Strait radio on Spotify. Sure enough, if you ask listeners aged 7 to 70 what are some of their favorite musicians in Texas and you’ll hear the same artist, George Strait. He even has his own wall at the popular Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.
Beyond food and music, Texans seem to like sports but football is king here, at all levels. Even when we were driving across west Texas where there is nothing but oil pumps, there were signs on water towers notifying passersby of their town’s state championship…in 1985. Kristin joined a high school track team for homeschoolers this week (homeschoolers are not allowed to participate on public school teams in Texas). I was talking to the coach and she said that their baseball team was starting that same night. They hoped to have 9 kids show up to field a team. 29 showed up. The kids learned Spring baseball could help their football skills so they came to play!
I assumed everyone here was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. That’s not really the case anymore. Someone recently told me that in the mid 90’s, he and his family started saving their money to one day go to a Super Bowl. By the 2010’s, they realized that was never going to happen. Lately, they put their sports time and money towards the Houston Astro’s (aka “the ‘stros”). Apparently, Texans like winners more than Cowboys.
Texas history is also unique. While the people here may not be as knowledgeable about our East coast “staples” of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, they can tell you all about Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin and also Steven “Stone Cold” Austin (of wrestling fame and from the town we currently live, Victoria). On the East, we have Gettysburg. In Texas, they “remember the Alamo” and the Goliad massacre that occurred before it.
La Bahia is a Presidio built in 1749 in Goliad. A Presidio is basically a fortified Catholic church. At this site, Col James Fannin and his 350 American soldiers were executed by Santa Anna’s orders in 1836. It is also the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza who led Mexico to defeat the French on a date we Americans even celebrate as Cinco De Mayo.
Nine different flags have flown over this site here in Goliad, Texas. This speaks volumes to the length of history and people of this town even today. In fact, anyone is still welcome to attend a Sunday Mass that continues to occur every week at the Presidio La Bahia.
Say what you will about Texas but they are united. There are certain stereotypes and qualities that transcend time and municipality within these state boundaries.
Like many of us in the East, Texas loves the outdoors. It is very common to talk to anyone in town and learn that hobbies including, fishing, shooting and archery are big here. One major difference is the land and the ability to access it. Because of Texas’ unique history, there is little public land available. In Pennsylvania, we love our access to thousands upon thousands of acres of state game lands. Most of the open land in Texas is privately owned and farmed with beef cattle, cotton, rice, pecans and other crops familiar to the East. If you want to hunt in Texas, you will need to know someone and get their permission to hunt their land. With the current problem they have with a surplus population of wild hogs, they likely will gladly let you on to their land to help reduce the herd and protect their crops.
Just last week, we attended an outreach event here in town that is put on by several local churches, schools and other organizations. The event was meant to educate the community about the various promoters and also expose kids to the outdoors. Families attending were able to spin cast fish, fly fish, shoot pellet guns, practice archery, ride a pony, lasso, traverse rope bridges and run through obstacle courses. The event was a huge success. It may exist in PA but I’ve never seen so many organizations unite to expose kids to the wonders of the outdoors.
What are some things you think about when you think of Texas? If you have suggestions of things we need to see and do, let us know!
You got to experience the Mother Ship: BUCEE'S! Awesome. That's a Texas-sized convenience store for ya. And have you asked the locals about H.E.B. or been to one yet? You'll get more than one story. The Butt family behind that store are doing a ton for Texans besides selling groceries. One of the sons of the founder started Laity Lodge our near Kerrville. Becky and I were honored to take a five night study leave there last year about this time. Beautiful area!
Love your insights as you get acquainted with my state. New arrivals see all with fresh eyes. Hope you find some great Tex Mex soon. Keep the narrative coming. Mary Ann