Let’s Talk About Tex, Baby

I'm a frequent visitor on line to the site TXhumor.com  and it rarely disappoints.  Today, I saw this phrase posted on their Facebook page:

"A Texan will never get tired of talking about how much they love Texas."

Hmmmm.  It made me think: is that even true?  And if it is, is it excessive?

Not that Texas pride is a bad thing. It is not. I  believe the same thing about our country as a whole. Patriotism is a love for country, which is the same thing as a love for your friends and neighbors, your fellow Americans and your fellow Texans. There's also plenty to be happy about here.

Nevertheless, there is a stereotype which exists about the people who insert the word Texas and every third word they speak before erupting into a litany: "Blah blah Texas, blah blah Texas, blah blah Texas.  Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas..."  Yet I don't believe the average native Texan residing in Texas fits the stereotype. Not in the least.

I do remember it being an issue with certain folks when I was in college back home… In Louisiana. When I joined "The Facebook" during the early days when you had to be a student to gain access, there was a group called "If Texas is so great, what are you doing at LSU?"  Of course college students are hardly the litmus by which all Texans should be evaluated, since they're still adolescents essentially and away from home for the first time. But I do remember certain sorority girls with that Texas drawl.  Well, there are a lot of reasons I remember those girls, know what I mean? :P

I do find the "Texas this Texas that" manner of speaking more accurate of Texans outside of Texas, particularly those in South Louisiana being constantly bombarded by French phrases and Fleurs-de-lis everywhere.  Everywhere you turn, there is something about the unique culture and it's French origination.  In certain parts of that state, it feels like Europe especially if you're from West Texas. It's a fish out of water syndrome for some. I totally get it and I'm sympathetic.  (I'm sure I'm very guilty of waxing nostalgic about New Orleans.)

Also, since moving here I have noticed the number of transplants to Texas who affirm their adopted Texosity. They babble on like a stream of consciousness. It's as if they were nobody until they moved to Texas, and now that they're here they're gonna let everybody know about it. People who find religion or quit smoking are often like that too.  Again, I'm afraid my fellow Louisianians are especially guilty of this. It's quite a shock going from a state which is frequently on the top of the worst in America lists - from population decline and institutional governmental corruption to soft-tissue cancers, obesity and infant mortality, heaven help us - to the state that's the best in America In almost everything.  It's like reaching the top of the mountain after wallowing in an eroding coastline.

As for lifelong native Texans, I don't find the Texas pride obnoxiously verbose at all. I rarely hear people prattle on and on. Here, it's just a part of life. It's well known and it's accepted. Quiet confidence, the kind Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen embodied.

Confidence in its truest sense is never wordy. In Texas, the pride in the sense of achievement speaks for itself.