texas stereotypes essay

What we learned from #TexanSince

By Elvia Limón Sept. 23, 2019

Hey Texas! I’m Elvia Limón, a North Texas native now residing in Austin, where I work at The Texas Tribune. As a lifelong Texan I know one thing for sure: Texans love Texas, and they’re not afraid to tell others. We take pride in being part of a large state with great food, a diverse culture, southern hospitality and the fact that we were once an independent country. It’s no doubt that Texans, both native and transplants, know their identity comes with a badge of honor.

We explored this collective identity along with hundreds of readers who shared their Texas origin stories through our #TexanSince project . Now we’re taking what we’ve learned from these powerful stories and kicking off an even bigger conversation about what it means to be Texan — including our first-ever community mural at this year’s Texas Tribune Festival .

If you’re in Austin, we hope you'll also consider joining us at Open Congress on Saturday, Sept. 28, for a discussion with artists Cruz and Olivia Ortiz on the #TexanSince mural and how art can cultivate community.

Meanwhile, here’s a recap of what we learned from the more than 480 readers who shared their #TexanSince stories with us so far.

How do Texans feel about our state? When asked what being Texan meant to them, readers talked about their sense of pride, their love for their community, our tasty food and our unique history.

• Seventy-one people said they loved Texas’ strong sense of community and how friendly Texans are.
• Texas has good food, and 69 of our respondents referenced this. Many listed queso, Texas barbeque and pecan pie as their top Texas favorites.
• Forty-one people said they identified with Texas’ colorful history, including the six flags that flew over this great state.
• Texas’ diverse terrain lets residents lie at the beach, hike in the woods or walk through its underground caverns. This is why 38 readers said they strongly identify with Texas nature.
• Thirty-four people said being a Texan is having a firm sense of place based on where you’ve lived, including the state’s Hill Country, North Texas, Southeast Texas — the list goes on.
• Texas has been home to some of the country’s greatest musicians — Selena, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin — and 23 people said that’s why they love Texas.

Choose a theme below to browse select #TexanSince stories.

On Texas Pride

Unsurprisingly, the most common theme among our #TexanSince stories was on our sense of Texas pride. For Alexandra Hill , her sense of pride came after moving away from Texas in 2005. Hill says she found herself brushing off stereotypical questions from outsiders, like whether she had to ride a horse to school. After returning to Texas, Hill says she realized that “being Texan means accepting and celebrating my Mexican culture and being a resident of this modern state.”

We’re not all cowboys: Texas may have a cowboy stereotype, cemented in fact and fiction, but what outsiders might not realize is that the state has some of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. In 2018, San Antonio grew more than any other city in the country when it pushed past the 1.5 million population mark. So like Hill, most Texans aren’t riding horses to school.

Growing population: The state’s population is also becoming increasingly Hispanic. A 2019 census estimate showed that the state’s Hispanic population growth continues to surpass the white population growth. Hispanics are expected to become the largest population group in Texas as soon as 2022. The Hispanic population climbed to nearly 11.4 million last year — an annual gain of 214,736 through July 2018 and an increase of 1.9 million since 2010.

Nothing compares to living in Texas: The state is bigger than any European nation. But while our state is vast, our sense of community is tight. Texas residents are known for being friendly and helpful, as many #TexanSince respondents noted. Jeff Pacheco of Houston said being a Texas transplant was not only an opportunity for a new career, but it was also a way to build new relationships.

The friendship state: Texas is known as the “friendship state.” But there’s more to our 89-year-old state motto than being a place with lots of friendly people. Legend has it that the name came from a Caddo Indian word. The Spanish who settled on the land at the time began pronouncing the word as “Tejas,” which eventually became “Texas,” which is translated in the Caddo language as “friends” or “allies.”

Birth of the mum: Short for “chrysanthemum,” the homecoming mum is a uniquely Texas tradition that consists of ribbons, pennants, teddy bears, glitter and other decor attached to a giant corsage. The mum takes the place of a typical corsage exchange, except it’s much, much bigger than a corsage. The homecoming mum began to appear in the 1930s , although the exact date is a mystery. High school students now flaunt their mums between classes and at homecoming games each fall.

On Texas Food

Texas is a foodie state, with cuisines that draw from many cultures. You can get anything here, from Tex-Mex to Czech kolaches to Texas barbecue and more. Our state’s good food is part of the reason why Emma Niewald of Irving loves living in Texas. She knows that living in the Lone Star State means being constantly surrounded by good meals.

Texas invented some of your faves: The frozen margarita is a summer staple, and it’s also a Texas original. The frosty cocktail was invented in Dallas by Mariano Martinez. Martinez said he got the inspiration for the frozen margarita machine after making a pit stop at a 7-Eleven. He made history when he realized he could use the Slurpee technique to make his margaritas. Martinez’s frozen margarita machine is now at the Smithsonian Museum for the whole world to see. Other yummy Texas inventions include Dr Pepper, Whataburger, klobasnikys (also known as meat-filled “kolaches”), Frito pie, Blue Bell ice cream and German chocolate cake. Texas also claims to have invented the hamburger and the corn dog, but other states dispute these assertions.

Dallas is 2019’s foodie city (and I’m not just saying that because I’m a native): Bon Appetit named Dallas its 2019 Restaurant City of the Year , giving Texans another reason to brag about our state’s amazing food. Bon Appetit recognized Dallas for its community of highly ambitious chefs, hailing from different backgrounds, who are ditching large-scale restaurant group models for highly personal spaces.

On Texas History

It’s not rare to find a Texan bragging about our state’s history or the fact that we were once a sovereign nation. And Texas’ roots are incredibly diverse: Over nearly two centuries, the state was either entirely or partially controlled by France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States and the Confederate States. This is where we get the “six flags over Texas” slogan. For Lynn Hagan of Gause, independence is a big part of why she’s proud to be a Texan.

Our forefathers weren’t all Texan: Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and William B. Travis all fought for our state’s independence from Mexico. What some Texans may not know is that none of these men was born in Texas. Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, was born near Lexington, Virginia. Before moving to Texas, Houston served as Tennessee’s governor in 1827. He moved to the then-Mexican territory of Texas five years later and helped secure Texas’ independence. Like Houston, Austin was also born in Virginia. He first landed in Texas in 1821 after the Spanish allowed him to explore the land for a settlement, but that deal was broken after Mexico gained its independence from Spain soon after. He returned more than a decade later after being imprisoned by the Mexican government for allegedly trying to incite insurrection in Texas. He went on to become the Republic of Texas’ first secretary of state. Travis, known for fighting (and perishing) in the Battle of the Alamo, was born in South Carolina. Before he died, Travis left Texans with the famous battle cry “victory or death.”

Our Capitol is taller than the nation’s: Everything is bigger in Texas, including the Texas Capitol in Austin. Surveyors in 1999 found that Austin’s domed pink-granite building stands at 302.64 feet — 15 feet taller than the 288-foot-high U.S. Capitol. But just because we’re taller than the nation’s Capitol doesn’t mean we’re the tallest in the country. That honor goes to our neighbors in Louisiana, who have a 450-foot-tall Capitol in Baton Rouge.

On Texas Nature and Places

If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes. And if you don’t like the geography, drive an hour or two. Our state’s massive size gives it a diverse geography. Texans may be bound under the same state flag, but it doesn’t mean that we all live in the same environment. Outdoor enthusiasts can find a state park to their liking, whether they’re hiking through the Big Thicket in Southeast Texas, biking through the trails of Caprock Canyons State Park in the Texas Panhandle or riding the Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park near El Paso. Nathan Mattise from Austin said the state’s differing regions are what he loves most about our state.

Texas has one natural lake: Texans know lakes are the perfect way to cool down in the hot summer. And while many of these lakes look and feel like they’ve been around for centuries, most of them are actually man made. An exception to this is Caddo Lake, which encompass Texas and Louisiana . The lake was formed around 1800 when a logjam built up on the Red River. The jam, known as the Great Raft, created several lakes around the river, many of which have since disappeared. The lake has a diverse bird population, 86 species of fish and cypress swamps with trees up to 400 years old.

We are a bird paradise: Texas has the most species of birds of any state — more than 600. In a nutshell, the reason why all of these birds have homes here is our location, location, location. Texas’ south-central position in the country makes it a perfect place to spot birds migrating from the eastern and western parts of the U.S. We also claim several species of migratory birds found primarily in Mexico. Texas’ diverse geography also provides a wide variety of habitats for birds that may only be seen in certain parts of the state. However, your best bet for bird watching may be in Brazoria County in Southeast Texas, where more than 400 species have been documented.

Texas is home to some of the world’s most talented musicians. We gave the world Beyoncé (you’re welcome), Willie Nelson, Selena, Buddy Holly and Janis Joplin. Texas’ music is as diverse as its people and geography. Different forms of music have cross-pollinated in Texas to create Western swing, which includes elements of country, blues, pop and big-band jazz. And the state’s conjunto music is a combination of traditional Mexican music with polkas and other European musical influences. Donna Lipman of Austin, who is a musician, said the state’s live music scene is one of her favorite things about living here.

No Texas, no rock ’n’ roll: Texas claims at least a partial role in the birth of rock ’n’ roll. Texas native Buddy Holly inspired many other rock legends, including the young John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. The Texas musician also influenced the name of the British rock group The Hollies.

Gruene Hall and its history: German and Czech immigrants built dance halls throughout Texas in the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries. These dance halls served as cultural and community centers, where residents gathered for meetings and to conduct business. The halls also served as a way for immigrants to interact with others who shared the same customs and interests. Some of these halls are still standing, and Gruene (pronounced “green”) Hall is the state’s oldest continually operating dance hall. The hall, built in 1878, has not changed since it was built. In its early days, Gruene Hall hosted everything from traveling salesmen to high school graduations to badger fights.

What’s your #TexanSince story?

Tell us how long you’ve been Texan and what being Texan means to you by sharing #TexanSince on Twitter and Instagram .

11 Totally True Stereotypes Texans Should Just Accept As Fact

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

More by this Author

There are some things that just can’t be denied.

In Texas, those include our undeniable pride, tendency to make everything bigger (and better), and – of course – the word “y’all.” The following are 11 totally true stereotypes Texans should just accept as fact. See how many you agree with:

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What else would you add to this list? Let us know!

And just in case you need any more proof that Texas truly is the best, check out 12 Reasons Why Texas Is The BEST State.

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Texan Identities: Moving beyond Myth, Memory, and Fallacy in Texas History

September, 2016

15 b&w photos. Notes. Bib. Index.

Recommended Text

Ideal for Classrooms

Hardcover, E-Book

About Cummins and Scheer's Texan Identities

Texan Identities rests on the assumption that Texas has distinctive identities that define “what it means to be Texan,” and that these identities flow from myth and memory. What constitutes a Texas identity and how may such change over time? What myths, memories, and fallacies contribute to making a Texas identity? Are all the myths and memories that define Texas identity true or are some of them fallacious? Is there more than one Texas identity?

The discussion begins with the idealized narrative and icons revolving around the Texas Revolution, most especially the Alamo. The Texas Rangers in myth and memory are also explored. Other essays expand on traditional and increasingly outdated interpretations of the Anglo-American myth of Texas by considering little known roles played by women, racial minorities, and specific stereotypes such as the cattleman.

“This work adds greatly to the literature on Texas identities and the variety of the Texas experience.” —–Walter L. Buenger, co-editor of Beyond Texas through Time

Classroom Adoption

Texan Identities rests on the assumption that Texas has distinctive identities that define “what it means to be Texan,” and that these identities flow from myth and memory. What constitutes a Texas identity and how may such change over time? What myths, memories, and fallacies contribute to making a Texas identity? Are all the myths and memories that define Texas identity true or are some of them fallacious? Is there more than one Texas identity? The discussion begins with the idealized narrative and icons revolving around the Texas Revolution, most especially the Alamo. The Texas Rangers in myth and memory are also explored. Other essays expand on traditional and increasingly outdated interpretations of the Anglo-American myth of Texas by considering little known roles played by women, racial minorities, and specific stereotypes such as the cattleman.

[“Texas A&M University for "Texas History in Myth and Memory"”]

About the Editor

LIGHT TOWNSEND CUMMINS is the Guy M. Bryan, Jr. Professor of History at Austin College and the author of Emily Austin of Texas , Spanish Observers and the American Revolution , and co-editor of Discovering Texas History .

More from Light Townsend Cummins

MARY L. SCHEER is professor and chair of the history department at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She is the author of The Foundations of Texan Philanthropy, editor of the award-winning Women and the Texas Revolution (UNT Press), and co-editor of Twentieth-Century Texas: A Social and Cultural History and Texan Identities (both UNT Press).

More from Mary L. Scheer

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25 Things People in Texas Are Tired of Hearing

Let's break down the truths of the Lone Star State.

It's no secret that when it comes to state pride, Texans boast, well, a Texas-sized portion. But that also means Texans have a tendency to become irritated when any non-Texans (especially those fast-talking Northerners) have the wrong impression of their glorious state . For instance, the days of riding horses to school are long gone (for the most part), our landscape is not a desolate wasteland of tumbleweeds and cacti, and not every Texan you meet will know how to two-step. Chances are, if you bring up any of those topics in the company of a Texan, you're bound to touch a nerve.

With all the misconceptions floating around about the Lone Star State, the tales about Texas can stretch to be about as tall as a 10-gallon cowboy hat. In an effort to set y'all straight, we've compiled some of the questions and phrases that you shouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole when you're in the company of a Texan.

1 "You do know you're not actually the biggest state, right?"

Non-Texans delight in reminding residents of the Lone Star State that despite the swaggering "everything's bigger in Texas" mentality, the state isn't technically the biggest in the nation. According to the Census Bureau's 2018 estimates, California actually takes the prize for the most populous state , with 39.6 million people . (Texas, meanwhile, clocks in at 28.7 million .) And when comparing land area, Texas' 268,580 square miles can't even begin to measure up against Alaska's glacial expanse of 663,267 square miles. Still, numbers aside, when it comes to heart and state pride, Texans are second-to-none.

2 "Does everyone ride their horses to school?"

Out-of-towners can be quite disappointed to learn that Texas schoolchildren ride a yellow bus to school, just like many other young Americans . So, when misinformed visitors eagerly ask, "Do you ride a horse to school every day?" the only appropriate, tongue-in-cheek response a Texan can muster is, "Nope, just every other day. We wouldn't want them to get too worn out!"

That said, that preconceived notion didn't come out of thin air. Earlier in 2019, a Buna High School senior in Buna, Texas, took the meaning of "cowgirl" to the next level, celebrating her last day of high school by getting special permission to ride her cow , Velvet, to school. (Her friend, meanwhile, opted for the far more traditional horse.)

3 "Is high school football just like Friday Night Lights ?" 

Where you're referring to the book, the movie, or the television show, the likely answer here is both yes and no. While Texas has rightfully earned its reputation for creating football powerhouses , producing the likes of Kyler Murray and Adrian Peterson (just two examples in a long list), the likelihood of living up to Friday Night Lights simply depends on the school district. In some small Texas towns, the entire community really does come together under the stadium lights on Friday nights to cheer their hearts out for the "boys of fall," while, at other schools, the predominant sport is something else entirely.

4 "Have you ever even seen trees before?"

Contrary to popular belief, Texas vegetation is not limited to tumbleweeds and dirt. In fact, Texas terrain can be quite varied, from the Piney Woods of East Texas to the Hill Country hamelia (which you may know as "firebush") to, yes, the cacti-covered deserts of West Texas. With that in mind, it's more likely than not that your average Texan has, indeed, seen a tree. As a matter of fact, there's an official state tree : the pecan tree. While the jury's still out on whether that's pronounced "pee-can" or "puh-kaan," most Texas will agree that there's nothing sweeter than the fruit of their state tree, baked into a homemade pie, of course.

5 "Is it true that everything's bigger in Texas?"

We'll keep this short and sweet, because it should be pretty self-explanatory: It will never not be creepy to use this as a pick up line at a bar . Please stop ruining a perfectly good state slogan.

6 "How many cows do you have?"

We acknowledge that Texas does take the lead when it comes to the nation's cattle production (not to mention that 1 in every 7 working Texans is employed in an agriculture-related job). But the probability that the average Texan you come across has their own cattle herd is still fairly slim.

7 "Do you even know what snow looks like?" 

Texas might not experience a true winter, but that doesn't stop young children from eagerly refreshing weather apps during the months of December and January in the hopes that it just might get cold enough for some rain to stick through the night and cause the superintendent to cancel school the next day. And while even ice can cause school to be canceled (Texas bus drivers and the buses themselves just aren't equipped to navigate those conditions), snow isn't necessarily mythical in Texas. Every few years or so, there's enough accumulation (usually only two or three inches) for Texas youngins to try their hands at building a snowman.

8 "Where are your cowboy boots? And your cowboy hat?"

The vast majority of Texans—especially younger, millennial-aged folks —do not don a pair of boots before traipsing around town. Same goes for the classic cowboy hat. While some of the more rurally-located residents might own a pair of work boots or "farm boots," most of the city dwellers probably only keep a pair of boots in our closets for a country-themed dress-up occasion, such as a Kenny Chesney  concert. Which leads us to our next point…

9 "Don't you just  love country music?" 

News flash: Not all Texans even like   country music ! Sure, there's a sizable crowd of adoring fans for Carrie Underwood , Luke Bryan , or the "King of Country" himself, Texas native George Strait —but that doesn't mean that twang dominates all of our radio stations and playlists. Think about it: If country was the only genre that the state favored, then why would stadium-headlining artists like Ariana Grande or Ed Sheeran even bother including Dallas or Houston in their tour schedules?

10 "How close do you live to Dallas?" 

This question is sure to elicit an eye roll from any self-respecting, small-town Texan. At some point, they learn to come to terms with the fact that the only Texan locales that seem to matter to non-Texans are the major, well-renowned metropolises, which are Dallas or Houston, with Austin and occasionally San Antonio as runner-ups. When identifying themselves as Texans to out-of-towners, small-town residents are used to reciting the number of hours that separate them from the state's urban hotspots.

11 "Can you teach me how to two-step?" 

Just as Texans don't emerge from the womb wearing an infant-sized pair of cowboy boots, they also aren't brought into the world with an innate ability to flawlessly execute the Texas two-step—or even square dances, for that matter. We're sorry to report that Texans are just as likely to have two left feet (albeit two left feet potentially clad in steel-toed boots) as people hailing from any other state.

12 "What kind of pickup truck do you drive?" 

Simple: It's the kind that looks like the spitting image of your Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. Sure, Texas might be populated with more than its fair share of pickup trucks , but that doesn't mean you can just assume that every Texan you come across is puttering around town in a souped-up F-150.

13 "Why is your accent so strong?" 

Or, the other common alternative accent question: "You're from Texas—why don't you have an accent?" The point is, Texas accents —or lack thereof—cut both ways. People are either thrilled to hear the drawl that marks you as a citizen of the South, or they're utterly crestfallen when you don't sound like you just stepped right out of a John Wayne film.

14 "Why are you so obsessed with a gas station?"

If you're unfamiliar with the gas station craze that's swept the Lone Star State, we only have one word for you: Buc-ee's. This gargantuan mega-gas station, which now has 36 locations across the state, has become practically worshipped. Featuring fresh barbecue, fudge, and roasted nut stations; multiple soda fountains; and spacious restrooms, it's no wonder that Texans will go out of their way to stop at Buc-ee's on a road trip.

There's even an entire merchandise section that includes stuffed Buc-ee's beavers, Buc-ee's t-shirts, and Texas paraphernalia. As marketing expert Matt McCutchin explained to Texas Monthly , visiting Buc-ee's is akin to a " Disney experience ." Taking all of that into account, perhaps it's no surprise that Texans get a little defensive when you question their Buc-ee's obsession.

But Texans don't get to keep Buc-ee's all to themselves. The buck-toothed beaver can now be seen grinning in Robertsdale, Alabama—and the chain is planning to expand into Georgia and Florida in 2019 as well.

15 "Don't you think 85 miles per hour is a little too fast?"

It's not Texans' fault everything is spread so dang far apart. And as a result of the distance we often find ourselves driving to get from here to there, the state keeps ratcheting up the speed limits to unprecedented heights. While the fastest Texas highways have a typical cap of 75 miles per hour, there's a 40-mile stretch of toll road from Austin to San Antonio (State Highway 130, for all you locals) that boasts a speed limit of 85 mph. You could say that Texas drivers embody the words of 12-year-old rising country music sensation Mason Ramsey : "If you ain't got no giddy-up, then giddy out my way."

16 "What's the big deal about Aggies versus Longhorns?" 

Texans' biggest lament is that the annual Thanksgiving football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the University of Texas Longhorns came to an end in 2011, after A&M switched into the Southeastern Conference. The rivalry between the two football teams (and really, the two universities, for that matter) runs so deep that a member of the state body of the House of Representatives drafted a bill to reinstate the traditional game, according to The Texas Tribune .

It doesn't matter if you actually attended another major Texas university, like Baylor or Texas Christian University. When it comes down to it, every Texan has to choose a side: They're either a maroon-bleeding Aggie or a diehard, burnt orange Longhorn.

17 "What do you mean you say a pledge to your state flag?" 

Recited immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag , and just before the moment of silence, all Texas public schoolchildren are familiar with the pledge : "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

18 "Oh, we have Tex-Mex in my state, too." 

19 "So you've been to lots of rodeos, huh?" 

Sure, your average Texan has probably been to a rodeo or two, whether it was a low-key county shindig or the gargantuan event that is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo . But don't get any ideas. Just because a Texan has been a rodeo spectator doesn't mean they can show you the ropes of looping a perfect lasso around a steer.

20 "You guys need some public transit." 

Absolutely. Texans will get right on that, as soon as you show them how to devise a public transit system that accounts for a state that stretches as far as 801 miles from north to south and 773 miles from east to west, according to the good 'ole state almanac . For a bit of context, that means that San Diego is closer to El Paso than Houston is (a distance of 724 miles compared to 745 miles, respectively). The point is, this would have to be public transit on a bit of a grander scale than the elevated railways of Chicago or the subway tunnels under New York City.

21 "What do you mean, you don't own a coat?"

Usually, a thermal shirt layered under a sweatshirt is enough to get Texans through the approximately three weeks of the year when it starts to feel like winter. There's no need for a coat when the temperature barely dips down into the 30s Fahrenheit. A thick North Face or Carhartt jacket will do just fine, thank you very much.

22 "It gets hotter in other places, you know." 

Sure, Texans will concede that the heat in their state can't compete with the constant three-digit summer temperatures in, say, Death Valley . But do people in other states have to deal with humidity levels upwards of 40 percent or 50 percent that ratchet the "real feel temperature" up about 10 degrees, making stepping out into a sweltering summer day feel like a sauna from which there's no escape? No? That's what we thought.

23 "Why are you so obsessed with barbecue?" 

Texans will likely admit that they have a rather healthy (or unhealthy, depending on your dietary views) obsession with brisket, ribs, and sausage (with scoops of potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese on the side, of course). But this gastronomic fixation is not without cause, as you'll soon understand if you frequent any of the state's most storied barbecue joints, like Snow's BBQ in Lexington, or Austin's Franklin Barbecue .

As further proof of the quality of Texas barbecue, Texas Monthly hired the nation's one and only full-time barbecue editor , Daniel Vaughn . After traveling across the state to complete extensive culinary research, Vaughn compiles a detailed ranking of Texas' top 50 barbecue-producing restaurants every four years. So, until you've loaded up your plate with an array of meats from an authentic Texas BBQ joint or five, expect Texans to be offended when you question their commitment to 'cue.

24 "Do you have an oil well on your property?"

You might be disappointed to learn that your average Texas acquaintance has no connection to the booming oil business that the state boasts. Your mistaken assumption is somewhat permissible—after all, the Lone Star State is the nation's leading producer of crude oil and natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . That said, if a Texan does happen to be connected to the oil biz, the likelihood is that they are employed by an oil company—they don't necessarily have an oil well gurgling in their backyard.

25 "You're way too proud of your state." 

Texans might act annoyed and even get a tad defensive when you try to accuse them of having too much state pride , but they secretly appreciate it when you notice their unwavering commitment to the Lone Star State. Honestly, if you've never stayed in a hotel and experienced the excitement of making a waffle in the shape of your state during the next morning's continental breakfast, then the joke's on you. And for more regional factoids to get acquainted with, check out The Most Hard-to-Believe Fact About Every State .

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10 Most Common Texas Stereotypes

Texans have a lot of stereotypes they either have to live up to or live down.  Some of the stereotypes surrounding Texas are pretty funny and more than a little ridiculous. Despite the comical nature, they are things you’ll likely want to know before making the long distance move down to Texas ! Here we share 10 of the most common exaggerations you might hear about Texans:

1. We’re all cowboys and cowgirls.

Well, yes there are cowboys in Texas, but more than 85% of the population lives in urban areas.  If a Texan has a mustang it is far more likely to be the car and not a horse.  The annual rodeo is as close as most Texans get to herding cattle and even that is iffy.  Granted, if they do make it to the rodeo they are sporting a Stetson and Lucchese boots .

2. We live in one big desert.

First of all Texas is huge, with various types of terrain you’ll pass if you ever decide to drive through Texas.  Saying everybody in Texas lives in the desert is the same as saying everyone in Florida lives in Disneyland, or everyone in Los Angeles is an actor.  Just in case you’re still thinking all of Texas is a desert, Houston actually gets more rain than Seattle !

3. Everything’s bigger.

Well…yeah, this one just might be true.  There are bigger houses, bigger schools, bigger trucks, bigger football and Texas can proudly claim the biggest gas station in the world.  With 120 pumps, 83 bathrooms and pretty much every Texas themed knick-knack ever made, yes everything really is bigger in Texas.

4. Everybody listens to country music.

Hello…Beyonce anyone?.  There are plenty of acts that come out of Texas that don’t involve a banjo or a steel guitar. Famous Texas musicians include Buddy Holly, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato and Chamillionaire just to name a few.  Houston is home to a huge hip hop scene, while Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World.

5. Everyone says “y’all”.

Well, this is mostly true. Some Texans, particularly those from small towns, do have a twang, but most people in urban areas tend to speak with a fairly generic accent. Bear in mind too that Texas has had a population boom with people moving here from all over the country bringing their own regional accents into the mix. However, whether they have a Southern drawl or not, most Texas natives do make frequent use of the word “y’all”.

6. Everyone here votes Republican.

While it’s true that Texas usually votes Red, there are plenty of residents who lean left. In fact, the capital city of Austin is known for being very liberal and in the 2012 election, 41% of the votes went to Obama.

7. We all go to church.

It’s true that there are a lot of churches in Texas. More than 50% of Texans claim a religious denomination, which is higher than the national average.  That being said, there are a lot of people in Texas who are non-religious or who affiliate with another religion besides Christianity.

8. Football is basically its own religion.

Okay Texas you gotta own this one.  Football is serious business in Texas, coaches are treated like royalty, well…as long as the team is winning.  Coaches are better paid than teachers, weddings are missed because of Cowboys games and there is one stadium in Texas that cost $60 million to build…at a high school.  While not every Texan is a football fan, this stereotype is mostly true.

9. We all own guns.

Nope, only slightly less than half, 44% of Texans own guns.

10. We’re fiercely prideful.

Heck yes!  Texas has the most recognized state flag in the entire county, the only state with a pledge of allegiance that is recited daily by students, and, let’s face it, you can buy Texas-themed anything.  Yes, Texans love Texas and don’t mind telling you about it.

If those weren’t enough here are some more Texas stereotypes to give you a chuckle.

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Texan identities: moving beyond myth, memory, and fallacy in Texas history

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Texan Identities rests on the assumption that Texas has distinctive identities that define “what it means to be Texan,” and that these identities flow from myth and memory. What constitutes a Texas identity and how may such change over time? What myths, memories, and fallacies contribute to making a Texas identity? Are all the myths and memories that define Texas identity true or are some of them fallacious? Is there more than one Texas identity? The discussion begins with the idealized narrative and icons revolving around the Texas Revolution, most especially the Alamo. The Texas Rangers in myth and memory … continued below

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xiv, 272 p. : ill.

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Cummins, Light Townsend & Scheer, Mary L. September 2016.

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Texan Identities rests on the assumption that Texas has distinctive identities that define “what it means to be Texan,” and that these identities flow from myth and memory. What constitutes a Texas identity and how may such change over time? What myths, memories, and fallacies contribute to making a Texas identity? Are all the myths and memories that define Texas identity true or are some of them fallacious? Is there more than one Texas identity?

The discussion begins with the idealized narrative and icons revolving around the Texas Revolution, most especially the Alamo. The Texas Rangers in myth and memory are also explored. Other essays expand on traditional and increasingly outdated interpretations of the Anglo-American myth of Texas by considering little known roles played by women, racial minorities, and specific stereotypes such as the cattleman. The contents include: Texan identities / Light Townsend Cummins and Mary L. Scheer -- Line in the sand, lines on the soul / Stephen L. Hardin -- Unequal citizens / Mary L. Scheer -- The Texas Rangers in myth and memory / Jody Edward Ginn -- On becoming Texans / Kay Goldman -- Ethel Tunstall Drought / Light Townsend Cummins -- W. W. Jones of South Texas / Patrick Cox -- Delgado v. Bastrop / Gene B. Preuss.

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• Collective memory — Texas.
• Cultural pluralism — Texas.
• Identity (Philosophical concept)
• Memory — Social aspects — Texas.
• Texas — Historiography.
• Texas — History — 19th century.
• Texas — History — 20th century.

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Cummins, Light Townsend & Scheer, Mary L. Texan identities: moving beyond myth, memory, and fallacy in Texas history , book , September 2016; Denton, Texas . ( https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc947809/ : accessed July 9, 2024 ), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu ; crediting UNT Press .

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How Bad Are Texas Drivers, Really?

We rank high on a list of states with the worst drivers, and our performance on the road has gotten worse since the pandemic. But it’s not just us.

Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business.

Driving in Texas has always been stressful. In the rural parts of the state, the distances between destinations can be vast, while in the cities and suburbs, highways are often choked with traffic. But since the pandemic started in 2020, you may have experienced even more stress on the road than usual. Maybe drivers seem more aggressive and distracted, and casual disregard for rules such as speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals seems more flagrant than ever before.

If all of that feels true to you, we can tell you this: You’re not imagining things. According to several studies, Texas drivers really have gotten worse over the past five years. But just how bad? That’s a bit of a complicated question. We’re worse than we’ve been in several decades—but then, so are drivers everywhere else in the country. So while the good news is that it’s not just us, the bad news is . . . well, it’s not just us. Below, we break down the various factors that go into determining whether and how drivers are getting worse, and how Texas stacks up. 

Where Does Texas Rank Against Other States? It Depends (But . . . Not Well)

Forbes began maintaining an index of the states with the worst drivers last year, updated annually. On the inaugural list, Texas ranked number one; in this year’s edition, published in May and drawing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2023 data, we dipped to third place behind New Mexico and Wyoming. (In your face, Land of Enchantment!) To come up with its ranking, Forbes analyzed fatal crashes to look for collisions that occurred because of drunk, drowsy, or distracted drivers, or those who were speeding or ignoring traffic signals. Each state was then assigned a score based on where they fall when those crashes are weighted and tallied. 

Unsurprisingly, given our rankings, we don’t fare well on any of the metrics the study considers, but we’re also not the worst in any category. We come in second on DWIs, fourth on drowsy drivers, sixth on speeding, tenth on collisions involving a distracted driver, and tenth on those that occurred when someone blew through a red light or stop sign. Of course, because the study is only taking into account crashes that result in death—not all collisions, or even those resulting in serious injury—we are left with an informative but limited picture of driver aptitude in Texas.

That is why it may be helpful to look at studies that consider different factors. Insurance aggregator websites often publish lists with more wide-ranging data inputs. One published by QuoteWizard in December 2022 places Texas in the middle of the pack. The list looked at collisions (including, but not limited to, fatal ones), DWI arrests, speeding tickets, and other traffic citations (for not wearing seat belts, failing to signal, rolling through stop signs, and other violations). Another study, from AgileRates , had us at number five for worst drivers. It considered fatalities, collisions, average miles driven per year, rates of uninsured drivers, and citations. In each study, those factors are weighted differently, hence the wide variance in ranking.

In other words, each study is a bit arbitrary. Learning how many drivers are killed when someone is speeding doesn’t tell you how frequently speeding actually occurs, only  when that speeding leads to a fatal crash; similarly, we can look at how tickets were issued to motorists who didn’t wear their seatbelts, but we can’t tell how many folks neglected to buckle up and got away with it. 

There’s not strong scientific data regarding aggressive driving, but the data that does exist—largely drawn from polling drivers to ask them about being tailgated, cut off, honked at, and more—suggests that it also is on the rise everywhere. ( A poll from Forbes on confrontational driving puts us at number nine.) Road rage shootings are an extreme and uncommon example of aggressive driving, but they can be quantified; on that metric, evaluated per capita, we’re at number six , although the state with the most (New Mexico) nearly doubles the number of per capita shootings as we see in Texas. 

And Are Texas Drivers Getting Worse?

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the years from 2013 to 2019, Texas averaged 3,614 fatal crashes on its highways. In the years since the pandemic began, that number has jumped considerably: rising to 4,397 for the span from 2021 to 2023. The increase is especially pronounced in urban areas. 

It’s not just that the state’s population has grown, either. We’ve gone from averaging 1.36 fatalities for every 100,000,000 miles driven between 2013 and 2019 to 1.55 in 2021 and 2022—an increase of 14 percent. (The NHTSA hasn’t published its full 2023 data yet.) 

The numbers go up across all groups. Young drivers are involved in more fatal crashes than pre-pandemic, but so are drivers older than twenty-one. Fatalities have risen among those who wear seatbelts and those who don’t. Motorcyclist deaths rose by a larger margin among those who wear helmets than those who don’t, suggesting that, even if they may be suffering from the same increase in recklessness as their car-and-truck compatriots on the road, it’s not merely a disregard for personal safety that’s made the roads so dangerous for them.  

If you’re looking for a glimmer of hope, we can leave you with this: 2021 appears to be the high-water mark for fatal crashes on Texas highways. That year, 4,500 Texans were killed on the road; in 2022, we saw 4,408 fatalities, and in the Texas Department of Transportation’s data from 2023, that dropped to 4,283. All of those numbers are still well above the pre-pandemic average, but it’s at least a step in the right direction.

What’s the Impact on Cyclists and Pedestrians?

Our state’s increase in reckless driving is harming other types of commuters as well. Things have gotten disproportionately worse for Texas cyclists compared to those in other states. From 2017 to 2021, there were 34 percent more cyclist fatalities than in the preceding five-year period, the largest such jump in the country. That still doesn’t make us the most dangerous state to ride a bike in—we’re in third place, behind Florida and California, whose motorists each kill nearly twice as many cyclists as Texas’s. It’s also important to note these are raw totals, and don’t account for an increase in cycling—though surveys indicate cycling in Texas hasn’t increased at such a rate that would explain the jump in fatalities.

Things are worse for pedestrians, too. From 2013 to 2019, we averaged 579 pedestrian deaths in Texas. In 2021 and 2022, the most recent years for which data is available, Texas motorists killed more than 800 of those getting around on foot per year, an increase of nearly 40 percent. That’s a rate of roughly 2.75 pedestrians killed for every 100,000 residents. That only leaves us tenth in the U.S., but we’ve gone from averaging fewer than two annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 Texans pre-pandemic to close to three, a tragic increase. 

Why Are Drivers Getting Worse?

Experts point to a number of factors that are present nationwide—and though we can’t say definitively how much they are impacting driver aptitude in Texas specifically, there’s nothing to suggest that Texas would be immune to national trends. According to several peer-reviewed studies (which are more reliable than the papers commissioned by insurance websites), the pandemic accelerated bad driving behavior. Since 2020, drivers are more stressed out ; those who are more likely to engage in risky behavior are also more likely to have been on roads that were emptier than usual, creating bad habits that are hard to shake; and aggressive behaviors are on the rise . 

It’s not just the pandemic, though. Nationally, the ever-expanding size of trucks and SUVs make driving more dangerous than it was when most folks were in sedans. Despite the stereotype of a truck-obsessed Texas culture, we have a larger proportion of traditional cars to trucks and SUVs than most states (we rank number 34 on that front; Wyoming takes first place). The length of commutes is also important (and has increased in many places since the pandemic, including Houston and Dallas )—the more time you spend behind the wheel, especially at the end of a long, stressful work day, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong—but there are twelve states that have longer average commutes than Texas. The relative youth and inexperience of the driving-age population can lead to bad outcomes, a factor that’s also influenced by the pandemic , as young drivers on relatively empty roads had extra time to develop bad habits. Texas, again, is in the middle of the pack when it comes to the average age of licensed drivers (Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah lead it). We’re not even in the top ten on street racing ( Wyoming again !).  

All of which goes to say: these factors have almost certainly played a role in our state’s decline in driving aptitude—a three-ton pickup truck is dangerous whether it’s in Texas or Wyoming—but they’re not unique to us. You can decide for yourself whether that makes you proud, disappointed, or a little bit of both.

Is It Getting Better? 

We’ve already noted that when it comes to fatalities, while we’re worse off than we were pre-pandemic, we have seen some improvement since 2021. But when it comes to overall driving quality, it’s not so straightforward. Here’s the number of traffic stops issued by Texas Department of Public Safety officers year over year: 

2014: 2,245,107 2015: 2,135,751 2016: 2,244,856 2017: 2,600,538 2018: 2,953,280 2019: 2,788,211 2020: 1,667,553 2021: 1,687,895 2022: 1,671,833 2023: 1,375,081

At a glance, that seems like good news! In 2023, Texas motorists were issued fewer than half as many tickets as they got in 2018, so we must be getting better, right? The drop off begins in 2020—a year when fewer of us were on the roads as events were canceled, stay-at-home orders were in place for several months, work that was able to be completely remotely often was, and much of society went virtual. But it’s stayed low in the years since, making it a lasting trend and not a pandemic-era fluke.

So what’s going on? Well, something else happened in 2021: Governor Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star, under which  state troopers who might otherwise be patrolling the highways are conducting immigration enforcement. That September, Abbott ordered one thousand DPS officers to the border . The entire agency employs just more than 2,800 troopers , which means that more than a third of them were pulled off the roads across the rest of Texas for an operation that is still ongoing. 

It would be an overstatement to say that the reduction in traffic enforcement personnel on Texas highways is responsible for the increase in negative outcomes—drivers are worse in states that Greg Abbott doesn’t control, too—but it’s clear, given the increased number of fatalities on the road, that the dramatic reduction in traffic citations since 2020 isn’t because Texas drivers are getting better . We’re just getting fewer tickets. 

Ultimately, compared to the stereotype many have of Texans, our vehicles are a little smaller, our drivers are less trigger-happy, and our state troopers issue fewer tickets. While all of our trends are moving in the wrong direction, the majority of them are moving there a little more slowly than other states, which is perhaps a bit of cold comfort. It may never have been more dangerous to be on the road in Texas, but at least we’re not Wyoming.

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How Cultures and Stereotypes Influence People

Categorization and stereotypes in the movie and tv show outsourced, evaluation of diversity, privilege, and stereotypes in the community, an analysis of the stereotypes, lessons, gender roles, the ideas of good versus evil, and the concept of beauty and fantasy in children stories, dreadlocks: origin and some stereotypes about people with dreadlocks, stereotypes associated with tattooed people, an analysis of the factors influencing stereotypes in society, stereotypes and labels, and its effect on people, the problem of stereotypes in american society, prejudice and stereotypes of ethnic groups, "the sellouts" by luis valdez: how stereotypes affect attitude to the entire race, society’s expectations: stereotypes and false interpretations of women, cultural diversity, stereotypes and discrimination in indian education, sexist stereotypes related to food preferences, definitions, development and aftermath of racial and gender stereotypes, stereotypes around eating disorders, psychological hypotheses of stereotyping, selective perception & projection, stereotyping around teenegars, unfairly stereotyping teenagers, my experience of stereotyping against asian students.

In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group.

Common types of stereotypes include gender, race, sexual, social-class, (dis)ability, age, nationality, political, and religious stereotypes. Also there are explicit (refers to stereotypes that one is aware that one holds) and implicit (those that lay on individuals' subconsciousness) stereotypes.

Correspondence bias, illusory correlation, common environment, socialization and upbringing, intergroup relations.

Attributional ambiguity, stereotype threat, self-fulfilling prophecy, discrimination and prejudice, self-stereotyping, substitute for observations.

Research shows that children have definite stereotypes about women, ethnicities, and other social groups by age 5. Some people use stereotypes to feel better about themselves. Stereotypes are shaped by social context and reflect cultural beliefs. Individuals who do not “fit” a prescriptive stereotype often suffer backlash.

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