Logos

In my last two posts I explained about the driving situation here in Houston and the magnificent trees in our slice of paradise with too many Cypresses. Now I need to explore what makes a person Texan. And how will I know when I am one?

I’ve been living in Texas full- time since May, all the change-of-addresses have been processed, I am registered to vote in Harris County, have a Texas driver’s license, Texas plates on my car, and an E-ZPass sticker on the windshield.  But I still feel like an outsider. So I came up with my own list of  “You might be a Texan if….”  

• You own a western hat and you will wear your pointy-toed cowboy boots with anything. No exception.
• You have a Texas flag displayed on your property, vehicle, or place of business.  (A Texas shaped template painted with the Lone Star image will also suffice.)
• You know the origin of the slogan ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’
• You drive a pick-up truck, Ford, Chevy or Ram – preferably with oversized wheels – as your primary means of transportation.
• You never leave home without your firearm, be it a rifle, a hand gun or both.
• Speed limits are suggestions.
• Red lights are optional. If you have already stopped too long. Go. If you do not wish to stop. Don’t. And yellow lights mean nothing to you. They might as well be green.
• When in doubt while driving, do a Uey.
• Taco Trucks are your Mc Donalds.
• You address any adult you encounter, as Sir or Ma’am (2 syllables), be they strangers, friends, family or even enemies.
• Y’all is accepted as proper English when you are talking to more than one person.
• You know what FM 2920 or FM 1960 refer to. (Hint, they are not radio stations)
• You are fiercely loyal to your high school football team.
• When asked about your identity you always answer “Texan” before any other identifier, ex: American, Electrician, Catholic, Vegan, etc..
• You have the Texas Swagger.  No explanation necessary.

Examples of being a Texan, True Stories:

• A person I know was in a social setting where he was the newbie and also the only one with darker skin.  When one well-meaning individual asked him “Where are you from?” he replied: “Texas.”  Not satisfied the questioner reframed the question. “No. I mean, originally, where are you from?” obviously expecting to hear Mexico or El Salvadore or some other country south of the border.  He replied: “TEXAS!”  He then added. “I was born in Texas.”  MIC DROP. 

• After we moved to Texas I was asked by a friend from our former home town, “Aren’t there a lot of Mexicans in Texas?”  It took me a minute to form my reply, which was, “No. They are mostly Texans, born here. And for the record, Texas was Mexico, until we (the United States) stole it from them.”  As for her fishing-expedition, I did not bite. There was no conversation about un-documented migrants coming across the border, invading Texas.  Instead I told her how diverse the population is here, as represented by those living on our little cul-de-sac of 18 homes. There are four Black families, an older woman from Jamacia. Across the street lives an Asian lady. The rest are Hispanics and white families and then the senior couples, of which we are one. And I believe we are all Texans.

As for describing the Texas swagger, I’ll try. It’s a combination of state pride and attitude of “I have the right to do whatever I want on my property. PERIOD,” as evidenced by the plethora of privacy fences bordering every back-yard.  No doubt Texans have a lot to be proud of. Texas is BIG! Alaska is the only state larger.  Texas’s economy is surpassed only by California’s.  If you want to really get a sense of the Texas attitude, check out the 2016 movie based in S-W Texas, Hell or High Water, staring Jeff Brdiges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Gil Birmingham.  After you do, be sure to share your experience in the comment section of this blog. I’d love to hear from y’all. (see I’m almost there.)  

My conclusion. Texas is a state of mind and if I have a mind to, I can be a Texan too.

That’s all for now. Watch my Blog for my next Texas Newbie post. 

ADENDUM:  Nov 12, 2025: I am now a real Texan.  I had the AC running and the Furnace in the same 24 hour period. Fall in Texas.  Yeee  Haaa Y’all!