How People See Texans

My Cape Breton, Nova Scotia brother-in-law, Sen, likes to tell this joke and it says a lot about how others think of Texans:

"So, Texan . . . how big is your spread?"

"Well, I can start driving from my garage and still not reach the back gate of my ranch by sundown."

"Yeah, I know what you mean . . . I had a car like that one time!"

Well, that is sort of funny and I guess a lot of people see Texans as boastful. But all in all, Texans are perceived as friendly and when they see the license, they like to stop you to talk. And Texas is pretty sprawly, especially compared to the City of Toronto.

I think because there are so many songs about Texas, that helps people to know a little bit at least about Texas.

Certainly, I have felt for a long time that the people from Ontario know a lot more about Texas than Texans know about them. I have written before that there are precious few songs about Ontario. And for the most part, Ontario people are fairly conservative and don't talk a lot about all the good things their province has to offer.

One thing that Americans know about Ontario is the great natural resources, the fishing and hunting. Many take special trips and have guides to make it easy for them to have a fine time.

We have encountered a lot of friendly people just because we are from Texas. They like to chat and most of them would like to visit Texas. That speaks well for he Lonestar State! It also makes us proud to be from Texas!

One thing that makes the South THE SOUTH is the obvious friendliness! 

When I first came to East Texas, I was surprised that everywhere I went, people spoke to me. They greeted me walking in or out of a supermarket. Dining in a restaurant, people coming by would always say “Hello”. 

Of course, I had seen the same sort of friendliness in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and in Ontario small towns. Folks in Newfoundland and on Vancouver Island are very welcoming. Torontonians are in a hurry, and not as friendly as they may have been when I was a kid. But Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and people are pretty friendly there as well. So, I have concluded that Texans are pretty affable people. 

Well, the other day, we lost one of our charter church members and today we had a reception after her funeral. 

Hubby wanted me to tell you about the wonderful meals that just seem to come together. Everybody makes or buys something delicious and brings it to the church. We all sit down and enjoy a wonderful meal. 

Hubby and I greeted at the main door today and received lots of hugs, even from people we had just met occasionally. 

I pointed out to some there for the first time, our window which is what we see from the congregation every Sunday. I thought they would like to see what their friend looked up at every Sunday. And she attended church every Sunday up until about three years ago when Alzheimer’s took over her brain and body. In fact, she used to greet at the door, making people feel welcome as they arrived Sunday morning. 

The colors in the window represent the church calendar year. The White represents Christmas and Epiphany, Purple is Lent, Scarlet is Holy Week, Easter is White, Pentecost is Red, Season after Pentecost is Green and Blue is Advent. In the center is the Dove of Peace. 

Our church is a very friendly church, even for this area. Everyone goes out of their way to make people feel welcome. 

When I first came here, everything was very new to me. The people of Angel of Joy were, in fact waiting for me. They probably wanted to see what Hubby had done, marrying a Crazy Canuck! Back then, we met at the Days Inn. So, twelve years ago, on a Wednesday night in Advent, coming up to Christmas, Keith and I went to one of the famous potluck suppers. 

I was amazed that everyone was greeting me with hugs and welcoming me into their group. I felt as though I belonged. I cannot say that I ever felt like an outsider. Some of the reason for that goes to Hubby who is well-loved and respected and a lot of if is the friendliness of the South! 

Now, you probably already know that I am a pretty outgoing person, so it is not really a stretch for me to be one of the ones welcoming newcomers. After twelve years, I guess I belong in the South!