Leaving a state like Texas is definitely not an easy task. We as Texans seem to think that we are our own country, and in turn, we are superior over all other forty-nine states. We believe that putting the Texas Flag on just about everything, is the greatest symbol of loyalty the state has ever known… Seriously, it’s on our shirts, backpacks, bumper stickers, hot air balloons, ect... We also inhibit this thing called “Southern Hospitality” where everyone is greeted with a friendly “hello”, and a three hour conversation about how the supermarket was out of granny smith apples, so you had to make the pie with pink ladies instead... So just imagine a Texan walking down the streets of New York, Chicago, or Boston. Can you imagine the culture shock? Here’s a list of eleven things a native Texan might say if they traveled up to the east coast.
1. Why is it so cold?
In Texas it’s just socially accepted to wear shorts and flip flops throughout the entire year because it’s 95 degrees 24/7. When we travel to the east coast in fall we literally have to change outfits when we get off of the plane, from tanks tops and shorts to snow boots, and heavy coats. I know I was definitely not ready for it to be this cold, in October!!
2. What do you mean you don’t have sweet tea?
I was completely unaware that sweet tea was only a thing down in the south until I moved to New York. When you order sweet tea in a restaurant, don’t be surprised when the waiter looks at you like you are an incompetent fool. Apparently only us southerners like to soak literally everything in sugar.
3. I’m confused, I thought Dairy Queen was only a Texas thing?
Isn’t the theme song “DQ, that’s what I like about TEXAS!” I’ve seen Dairy Queens in almost every state I’ve been to, and it confuses me every time! So many questions….
4. Well that was rude.
There’s a reason they call it “Southern” hospitality. Don’t expect someone to hold the door for you, or to just randomly walk up to you and ask you how your day was. And don’t even think about smiling at someone when you pass by them on the street. You will immediately get the “get away from me you creeper” look.
5. Can we just… Not talk about politics.
This one doesn’t need much explaining. Texas is mostly Republican, the east coast is predominantly Democratic. The two parties are both so strong headed in their belief systems that neither party is going to get the other party to agree on anything, so it’s just better to keep politics out of a conversation.
6. Winter clothing is ugly.
Ok, is it just me, or is shopping for winter clothing one of the hardest things that Texans have to do. We walk into a shop, and our eyes are immediately drawn to the tank tops and away from the sweaters. We hate the way that sweaters look because we’ve never had to wear them! The closest thing to winter clothing that we wear is a tank top with a cardigan over it and leggings with cute riding boots.
7. What do ya’ll mean ya’ll don’t use the word ya’ll?
It seems the east coasters just haven’t caught up to the developmental language we are creating down in the south. “Ya’l”l is just so much easier to say and flows so much better in a sentence opposed to you all. Are we just lazy with our speaking? No… definitely not because Texans are hard workers who could never be lazy… Right?
8. That is not BBQ.
Texas is known for a lot of things, but really good BBQ is definitely at the top of the list. Texas BBQ consists of pulled pork, smoked ham and turkey, sausage links, all smothered in BBQ sauce, and thrown together on a homemade roll. The other day my college promoted a huge get together BBQ for Homecoming. I was so excited to get finally get a taste of home after being away for a month. Little did I know that New York BBQ is literally hot dogs, hamburgers, and a bag of chips…. What a disappointment.
9. Excuse me… How much did that cost??
This is the biggest culture shock of them all. LITERALLY EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE!! I can’t even go to Starbucks without leaving with ten dollars less in my pockets. The other day I went to a diner and basically have to sell my soul away to afford two pieces of french toast.
10 Where’s the closest Whataburger?
Ah yes. Finally the question everyone was waiting for. Whataburger is a HUGE chain restaurant in Texas, and a few of the surrounding states. It’s orange and white stripes signify every Texan’s right to a good ol’ Whataburger meal. An Aggie, and a Longhorn could share a honey-butter chicken biscuit, and they would forget why they ever feuded in the first place. Unfortunately, Texas’s most important monument doesn’t not stretch to the eastern side of the country. In fact If you ask a New Yorker directions to Whataburger, they will laugh you all the way to the nearest Shake Shack.
11. It’s been fun, but let’s go back to Texas.
Most people from Texas, love to vacation to different places and see new things because let’s be honest… There’s only so many things to do in Texas. But when it all comes down to it, we love and are very proud of our home state. Some chose to stay, some chose to get as far away as they can from the state that invented heat strokes, but when push comes to shove, we are all Texans at heart, and the Lone Star State will forever be our true home.
