Texas is so awesome that it’s easy to focus on all the things we have compared to other states. Sometimes the things we DON’T have – like beans in our chili and state income tax, for example – are what truly set us apart from the rest of the country.
- Long, bone-chilling winters
Flickr/lash9420 We have our cold spells, but they usually only last a few days (or sometimes just a few hours in the morning). Summertime might be brutal, but at least we don’t have to wake up an hour early to scrape the sun off our cars.
- Beans in our chili
Flickr/jypsygen They get snuck in from time to time, but that’s the fault of transplants. We natives know those suckers are the quickest way to ruin a classic Texan meal.
- State income tax
Flickr/thomashawk Life in the Lone Star State is pretty sweet from a financial perspective. Maybe that’s why all those Californians want to move here!
- A threshold for how much spice we can handle
Flickr/saechang If you think it’s hot enough, throw in another few squirts of Tabasco for good measure. We aren’t satisfied until our tongues go numb from the heat.
- Rude people
Flickr/ooberayhay Not everyone in Texas abides by our unspoken expectation of Southern hospitality, but most of us do. It took a trip up north and several doors slammed in my face for me to realize just how courteous people are down here.
- Predictable weather
Flickr/bogenfreund 30 in the morning, 80 in the afternoon. Torrential downpours followed by blinding sunshine. Should I wear short sleeves or a parka, two pairs of pants and boots to work? Oh, Texas, indecisiveness is one of your greatest quirks.
- A concept of distance
Flickr/jbparrott We can’t tell you how many miles away a place is, but we sure can tell you how long it takes to get there. Nothing else matters when your state is a two-day drive from end to end!
- Mexican food
Flickr/magtravels We have something even better than authentic Mexican food. Our own rendition smothers everything in cheese, and it’s hard to go wrong with that.
- Tornadoes
Flickr/meteopassione Hurricanes might ravage our coastline every few years, but at least they give us a warning. Our friends to the north get no preparation for these monstrous, devastating wind tunnels.
- The ocean
Flickr/damselfly58 Technically, it’s a gulf. Definitely not the world’s prettiest water, but it’s ours and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
- Free time on Friday nights in the fall
Flickr/Ron Cogswell We don’t bother making plans during football season. On the field supporting our boys is where our hearts belong!
- Small appetites…
Google/Steve Marks Our stomachs are Texas-sized. Normal portion sizes just don’t cut it for us!
- …or small holiday meals…
Flickr/sea-turtle When each extended family member contributes a dish to the Thanksgiving table, things can get a bit hectic. See #12 for why that isn’t a problem.
- …or small trucks…
Flickr/andrewbain The taller, the better. They have to be big enough to run everyone else off the road!
- …okay, let’s face it. We just altogether don’t know how to be modest.
Flickr/stevenm_61 And we aren’t at all ashamed to admit it. Texas forever, y’all.
Do you agree with this list? What else does Texas not have that makes our state a better place?
Flickr/lash9420
We have our cold spells, but they usually only last a few days (or sometimes just a few hours in the morning). Summertime might be brutal, but at least we don’t have to wake up an hour early to scrape the sun off our cars.
Flickr/jypsygen
They get snuck in from time to time, but that’s the fault of transplants. We natives know those suckers are the quickest way to ruin a classic Texan meal.
Flickr/thomashawk
Life in the Lone Star State is pretty sweet from a financial perspective. Maybe that’s why all those Californians want to move here!
Flickr/saechang
If you think it’s hot enough, throw in another few squirts of Tabasco for good measure. We aren’t satisfied until our tongues go numb from the heat.
Flickr/ooberayhay
Not everyone in Texas abides by our unspoken expectation of Southern hospitality, but most of us do. It took a trip up north and several doors slammed in my face for me to realize just how courteous people are down here.
Flickr/bogenfreund
30 in the morning, 80 in the afternoon. Torrential downpours followed by blinding sunshine. Should I wear short sleeves or a parka, two pairs of pants and boots to work? Oh, Texas, indecisiveness is one of your greatest quirks.
Flickr/jbparrott
We can’t tell you how many miles away a place is, but we sure can tell you how long it takes to get there. Nothing else matters when your state is a two-day drive from end to end!
Flickr/magtravels
We have something even better than authentic Mexican food. Our own rendition smothers everything in cheese, and it’s hard to go wrong with that.
Flickr/meteopassione
Hurricanes might ravage our coastline every few years, but at least they give us a warning. Our friends to the north get no preparation for these monstrous, devastating wind tunnels.
Flickr/damselfly58
Technically, it’s a gulf. Definitely not the world’s prettiest water, but it’s ours and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
We don’t bother making plans during football season. On the field supporting our boys is where our hearts belong!
Google/Steve Marks
Our stomachs are Texas-sized. Normal portion sizes just don’t cut it for us!
Flickr/sea-turtle
When each extended family member contributes a dish to the Thanksgiving table, things can get a bit hectic. See #12 for why that isn’t a problem.
Flickr/andrewbain
The taller, the better. They have to be big enough to run everyone else off the road!
Flickr/stevenm_61
And we aren’t at all ashamed to admit it. Texas forever, y’all.
For more Lone Star State pride, check out 12 Reasons Why Texas Is The BEST State.
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