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1 Texas Exceptionalism As a second generation, born and raised Texan, I’ve grown fond of living in Texas, and being a Texan. It’s such a beautiful state. Albeit, some may disagree because of one thing they’ve heard from a friends’ uncles’ second cousin three times removed brother in law, but that doesn’t stop a few from finding interest and love in the great Lone Star State. In my opinion, if people kept spreading rumors about stereotypes, people would be shocked when they come to Texas to find out those stereotypes aren’t completely true. Well… mostly. Some are true while others can be a little over dramatic or completely false. A completely misconception and well over-the-top stereotype that I first heard growing up that people believed about Texas was that we all constantly wore a pair of cowboy boots, and that are only means of transportation was from the back of a horse. Mrs. Susan Stereotype here was just running around with her britches all in a jumble because head was just slightly jarred. It’s not uncommon to see people wearing a pair of boots or notice a pair in their closet, and it’s definitely not that hard to spot some horses outside of the city limits. In my opinion, there are some stereotypes that have caught my attention over the years, and these are by far the ones that I believe are quite true, if an outsider came to visit Texas. Our pride is as big as the state of Texas, if not bigger than Texas. I’ve encountered plenty of people who are glad to call Texas home, and have been fortunate to label themselves as Texans. I haven’t met a Texan of five or more years who would disagree to loving our great state. Sure, we all have our ups and downs, but it honestly doesn’t get better than that. The word “y’all” is the biggest word in our dictionary. You honestly can’t come and visit Texas without hearing a Native Texan not say the word “y’all”. It’s literally impossible. I say it at least a dozen times a day.

2 If you think a Big Mac at McDonald’s is big as it is, try telling that to Texans while in Texas. They’d all think you’d be crazy. Everything is bigger in Texas. Those Big Macs have nothing on the Texas version of the size “big”. Our food portions are bigger, our pride is big, our entertainment capital is big, even Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas is big. If you don’t believe we can go bigger, we can. Our night sky has the biggest stars you’ll ever see. They’re even bigger than the ones that Hollywood creates for their movies. Compared to the other states that have four seasons, we only have two: really hot, and if we’re lucky, one, maybe two months of cold and wet. It’s honestly true. I remember one year where it didn’t get cold until Thanksgiving week, and got warm right after Valentine’s day. It was the shortest winter yet. Have you ever come across your friend’s Facebook page during the spring or summer time, and notice that they posted about fifty pictures and changed their profile picture to them in a white shirt and denim pants, or their child or children in that outfit, posing in a field of bluebonnets? That is a very common thing for families to do in Texas. It’s literally a holiday just like Easter, where all the families go out and find patches of bluebonnets for their next family portraits. If you’ve ever asked Aunt Jean from Arlington, Texas, how long it takes to get to Austin, Texas, don’t expect her to respond with “about two hundred and fifteen miles, give or take a few miles”. Expect her to respond with “it’ll take about four or five hours, depending on how many pit stops we make along the way”. Yes, that’s right. We measure our distance in how long it’ll take to drive there. Believe it or not, it takes forever to drive out of Texas, no matter where you’re located.

3 Some positives about living in Texas is pretty simple. We have some amazing food down here. Our barbecue is the best in the country, but if you go to a Texas Roadhouse in another state, it’s not the same thing. We invented Tex-Mex, and it’s to die for. We also have the Blue Bell capital. If you ever ask a native where to get a good burger or some sort of meat filled sandwich, expect to hear either Chick-fil-A or Whataburger. While technically Chick-fil-A is located in the south, it’s not from Texas. But you also can’t go wrong at Whataburger. Another thing that’s really good in Texas is our choice in gas stations. While many could potentially complain about the diversity in gas station companies located within the Texas borders, I’m not referring to those. I’m referring to the gas station that everyone looks forward to on any road trip within Texas. I’m talking about Buc-ee’s. It has plenty of gas pumps available, and when you walk inside, it’s a mixture of a grocery store, a home goods store, a gas station, and everything under the sun. But get this: it’s all nice and well-kept compared to a normal gas station. Was it also mentioned that they’re huge? Yes sir, everything in Texas is bigger. That also includes the bathrooms, too. Really, the only negative thing I see about living in Texas is that it literally takes forever to get anywhere. It takes anywhere from a few measly hours, to an upwards of an extra day or two to even get outside of Texas. Want to get to El Paso? Sorry, that’s an eighteen-hour drive. Want to go to Missouri? Sorry. That’s easily a twenty-hour drive. Want to go to the east side of Alabama? Well you’re in luck because it will only take you fourteen hours to get over there. The drive in Texas makes driving through other states seem like it’s nothing, probably because it is literally feels like nothing, as those states are much smaller! If someone from another country were to come up to me and ask me where I’m from, don’t expect me to respond with “I’m an American”. While technically by birth, that’s the

4 country I’m from, my state has more to offer, and I love my state more than I love the country. I always respond with “I’m a Texan”. I’m deeply rooted in Texas. I love it here, and I’m proud to call it my home. Sure, the state may hit some bumps in the road here and there, but what’s not to love? Okay, fine. Besides the heat and crazy weather patterns, what’s not to love about Texas?

5 Works Cited

Karney, Sarah. “10 Stereotypes All Texans Hate.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 30 Jan. 2017, theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/10-stereotypes-all-texans-hate/.

Lawrence, Katie. “11 Totally True Stereotypes Texans Should Just Accept As Fact.” OnlyInYourState, 6 Oct. 2017, www.onlyinyourstate.com/texas/true-stereotypes-tx/.

Karney, Sarah. “10 Stereotypes All Texans Hate.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 30 Jan. 2017, theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/10-stereotypes-all-texans-hate/....