There’s a natural curiosity that people have about Texans. Maybe it’s our mighty Texas pride or the mystique that goes with being a product (native or transplant) of the Lone Star State. It could even be the stereotypes that we like things ridiculously big or that we all live on ranches and drive pickup trucks. But if you are from the Dallas – Fort Worth area, you can anticipate these 14 commonly-asked questions.
- Do you own a horse?
Mickey and Marcia Faulkner/Flickr We might wish we owned a horse, but the sad reality is that most of us can’t afford one. Horses cost a lot of dough and require lots of TLC. Many of us have ridden a time or two, but don’t be too surprised to hear that some of us from Dallas - Fort Worth have never been on a saddle.
- How big is your house?
Steven Martin/Flickr There’s a belief that all of us live in really ginormous homes. Some of us do, actually. Dallas has more than 113,000 millionaires in its midst. But for most of us common folk, we live in typical suburban neighborhoods with either one-story ranch homes or maybe a newer two-story variation. We also have lots of great urban living choices we proudly call home.
- Can you country & western dance?
jennifer yin/Flickr Yes. No. Maybe. Most of us can hold our own with a simple three-step and even join in when the “Cotton-Eyed Joe” plays. But after that, it’s more iffy. A few can command the full attention of the room whirling across the floor doing the shuffle, waltz, or double two-step. For the rest of us, however, you might find us shuffling away from the dance floor and instead reaching for a longneck or a ‘rita when a popular country song cranks on.
- Are you anything like the Ewing family from the hit TV show, “Dallas?”
Ted Eytan/Flickr In a word? No. That legendary show that ran for 13 years heaped on every possible Texas stereotype, making it fun to watch but hardly realistic.
Ted Eytan/Flickr If you are feeling nostalgic, you can always tour South Fork Ranch, located just outside of Dallas. Inside this actual working ranch and event center is memorabilia from the 1978-1991 show.
- How can you bear the Texas heat?
FotoPhrog/Flickr “Go jump in the lake” is our answer to triple digit temperatures in the summertime. We have numerous area lakes and waterways to keep the sweat off our back. If that’s not possible, many of us have backyard pools. And don’t forget that everywhere in Dallas - Fort Worth is air-conditioned!
- Is it true you close schools when you see a few snowflakes?
CameliaTWU/Flickr This is a tad misleading, because our area is much more likely to get ice than snow. But on the rare occasion we actually have snow, we aren’t equipped to clear the highways due to lack of equipment. Since no one around here truly knows how to drive on the slippery stuff unless they are a transplant, we are quick to schedule a Snow Day.
- How many pairs of cowboy boots do you own?
Bill Strain/Flickr Boots are a fashion staple for many of us, and we often have more than one pair. It is also true that gals sometimes wear boots with shorts or cute flowy dresses, and it’s practically a requirement to college girls to don a fancy pair for football games and social events. Men like their boots too, and may spring for varieties like alligator and snake over simple cowhide. The question really isn’t whether you own a pair, especially if you’re more from the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex, but whether you prefer snip toe, round, square, or one of the other specialty variations.
- Is “y’all” a real word?
D.Fajio/Flickr What else would you say that makes any sense? “You guys?” Of course it’s a real word. What were y’all thinking?
- Are you a crazed Dallas Cowboys fan?
mikepmiller/Flickr If you’re from around here, you most definitely live and breathe the Dallas Cowboys. If not, well, boot-scoot yourself on out Dallas - Fort Worth. Because America’s Team is all things football around here. We have AT&T Stadium in Arlington and the new training facility and corporate headquarters in Frisco, spreading the Cowboys frenzy to all parts of the Metroplex.
- What’s with this Texas ’tude?
Adam Simmons/Flickr In Texas, school children recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then follow it with the Texas pledge from kindergarten on. They learn countless songs about how amazing our state is. They even memorize impressive stats about how big our state is, especially compared to other states in the U.S. So, don’t act surprised when we boast a bit about Texas, and specifically Dallas - Fort Worth, being about the best place to live on earth. We can’t help it. We were born that way.
- Are “Friday Night Lights” really a thing?
Corey L. /Yelp If you are the type that needs to see it to believe it, just take a look at Allen Independent School District’s 18,000 seat stadium that was built for just under $60 million. Any questions?
- Do you carry your gun around?
Valerie Hinojosa/Flickr Texas does have an Open Carry Law, which allows concealed handgun permit holders to carry handguns openly. In case you are wondering but were afraid to ask, not all Dallasites - Fort Worthians know how to shoot a gun. But you should also remember our unofficial mantra, “Don’t Mess With Texas.”
- Is there a difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican food?
MyEyeSees/Flickr If you have to ask, then you might as well just buy your tacos at the national fast-food chain Taco Bell.
- Is there rivalry between Dallas and Fort Worth?
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport/Facebook Let’s just say that we know how to settle our differences. Sure, we may fight like siblings but we love like family. Together, we are stronger. The DFW International Airport chose wisely when it built its airport smack dab in between both cities.
Do you agree these are the most common questions asked from outsiders to folks living in Dallas – Fort Worth? Are there others that should be added to this list?
Mickey and Marcia Faulkner/Flickr
We might wish we owned a horse, but the sad reality is that most of us can’t afford one. Horses cost a lot of dough and require lots of TLC. Many of us have ridden a time or two, but don’t be too surprised to hear that some of us from Dallas - Fort Worth have never been on a saddle.
Steven Martin/Flickr
There’s a belief that all of us live in really ginormous homes. Some of us do, actually. Dallas has more than 113,000 millionaires in its midst. But for most of us common folk, we live in typical suburban neighborhoods with either one-story ranch homes or maybe a newer two-story variation. We also have lots of great urban living choices we proudly call home.
jennifer yin/Flickr
Yes. No. Maybe. Most of us can hold our own with a simple three-step and even join in when the “Cotton-Eyed Joe” plays. But after that, it’s more iffy. A few can command the full attention of the room whirling across the floor doing the shuffle, waltz, or double two-step. For the rest of us, however, you might find us shuffling away from the dance floor and instead reaching for a longneck or a ‘rita when a popular country song cranks on.
Ted Eytan/Flickr
In a word? No. That legendary show that ran for 13 years heaped on every possible Texas stereotype, making it fun to watch but hardly realistic.
If you are feeling nostalgic, you can always tour South Fork Ranch, located just outside of Dallas. Inside this actual working ranch and event center is memorabilia from the 1978-1991 show.
FotoPhrog/Flickr
“Go jump in the lake” is our answer to triple digit temperatures in the summertime. We have numerous area lakes and waterways to keep the sweat off our back. If that’s not possible, many of us have backyard pools. And don’t forget that everywhere in Dallas - Fort Worth is air-conditioned!
CameliaTWU/Flickr
This is a tad misleading, because our area is much more likely to get ice than snow. But on the rare occasion we actually have snow, we aren’t equipped to clear the highways due to lack of equipment. Since no one around here truly knows how to drive on the slippery stuff unless they are a transplant, we are quick to schedule a Snow Day.
Bill Strain/Flickr
Boots are a fashion staple for many of us, and we often have more than one pair. It is also true that gals sometimes wear boots with shorts or cute flowy dresses, and it’s practically a requirement to college girls to don a fancy pair for football games and social events. Men like their boots too, and may spring for varieties like alligator and snake over simple cowhide. The question really isn’t whether you own a pair, especially if you’re more from the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex, but whether you prefer snip toe, round, square, or one of the other specialty variations.
D.Fajio/Flickr
What else would you say that makes any sense? “You guys?” Of course it’s a real word. What were y’all thinking?
mikepmiller/Flickr
If you’re from around here, you most definitely live and breathe the Dallas Cowboys. If not, well, boot-scoot yourself on out Dallas - Fort Worth. Because America’s Team is all things football around here. We have AT&T Stadium in Arlington and the new training facility and corporate headquarters in Frisco, spreading the Cowboys frenzy to all parts of the Metroplex.
Adam Simmons/Flickr
In Texas, school children recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then follow it with the Texas pledge from kindergarten on. They learn countless songs about how amazing our state is. They even memorize impressive stats about how big our state is, especially compared to other states in the U.S. So, don’t act surprised when we boast a bit about Texas, and specifically Dallas - Fort Worth, being about the best place to live on earth. We can’t help it. We were born that way.
Corey L. /Yelp
If you are the type that needs to see it to believe it, just take a look at Allen Independent School District’s 18,000 seat stadium that was built for just under $60 million. Any questions?
Valerie Hinojosa/Flickr
Texas does have an Open Carry Law, which allows concealed handgun permit holders to carry handguns openly. In case you are wondering but were afraid to ask, not all Dallasites - Fort Worthians know how to shoot a gun. But you should also remember our unofficial mantra, “Don’t Mess With Texas.”
MyEyeSees/Flickr
If you have to ask, then you might as well just buy your tacos at the national fast-food chain Taco Bell.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport/Facebook
Let’s just say that we know how to settle our differences. Sure, we may fight like siblings but we love like family. Together, we are stronger. The DFW International Airport chose wisely when it built its airport smack dab in between both cities.
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