I went to Texas for the first time. As a New Yorker, these are the cultural differences that surprised me the most.

To some people, Texas is considered a world separate from the United States. From die-hard Dallas Cowboys fans to Beyonce, the media landscape always has Texas on its tongue for one reason or another. 

One of my childhood friends moved to Austin three years ago, a booming city in its own right, and invited me to visit. It took me three years to get there, but I looked forward to seeing The Lone Star State for myself, considering the chatter and popularity.

As I set off for my trip, the question that plagued my mind surrounded the debate about “Southern hospitality” vs. the Northeast’s reputation of being a bit cooler. To be frank, I didn’t know what to expect or what hospitality I was supposed to look for.

Nevertheless, I went to Texas for the first time, and I can offer my take on the culture, energy, and people from a New Yorker’s point of view. All in all, the locals were lovely, and the food was delicious, but your waistline might expand. Oh, and the Texas heat is no joke. 

Southern hospitality extended everywhere from state troopers at the Texas State Capitol building to small town residents.

If you’re in Austin, visiting the Texas State Capitol should be on your list. The building is beautiful, well-kept, and impressively designed. This was our first stop, and I also experienced my first taste of direct Southern hospitality.

The entrance to the building had plenty of security, and it was fairly intimidating walking in since there were metal detectors everywhere. Well, the friendliness and overall candor of the Texas state troopers were top-tier. 

They were dressed immaculately in cowboy hats and clean uniforms. We received plenty of “yes, ma’ams” to our questions and never felt rushed. They were smiling, pleasant, cracked jokes, and had fantastic Southern accents.

I love New York City, but you wouldn’t receive this kind of warmth entering federal buildings. The city’s fast-paced nature doesn’t leave much time for small talk, especially from security. You better know where you’re going to the best of your ability. It’s a place for the self-sufficient!

The friendly mannerisms extended to the other Texas residents I met. The bartenders were kind, the shop owners were all willing to help, and the locals smiled in Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio. 

Oh, and no one said, “Bless your heart.” I’ve heard it’s an insult, and I’m happy to report we didn’t receive the phrase in Texas! 

Quick Note: Texas geography is vastly different than the Northeast

The enormity of Texas didn’t hit me until I started driving on the backroads. What feels like miles of highway, you barely make it out of the big cities. You could spend a week driving through mountains, plains, and plateaus.

I also noticed a difference in the architecture, contrasted against the skyscrapers and high rises I’m used to in New York City. Smaller towns and cities have more low-lying, contemporary buildings. One benefit is that the sky seems to stretch for miles. The sunsets are picturesque; a city can feel like a small town. 

I wasn’t sure what Southern hospitality stereotypes I was looking for, but a few mannerisms stood out to me.

I felt the need for a conclusion, at least for myself, if the famed Southern hospitality stereotype is true. Frankly, I still have mixed feelings since I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for. 

But a few things certainly stood out. 

People moved at a slower pace and were more open to small talk. A few older ‘cowboys’ in more rural areas tipped their hats when walking past. There were also a lot of pickup trucks and a strong sense of patriotism everywhere. 

Cities tended to be more muted in their hospitality, particularly Austin, but friendly nonetheless. This might be more of a byproduct of rapid expansion, new people moving in, and the fast-paced lifestyle. People aren’t unfriendly in big cities, but they are busy. 

While I wouldn’t chalk it up to Southern hospitality, Austin is easygoing even in the business sector, and the dress code is far more casual compared to places like New York City and Chicago, with streets filled exclusively with white-collar professionals wearing suits. 

You can feel a sense of warmth even in areas where it’s more built-up and professional. I would say this is exclusive to the South. 

Texas takeaways – I got called “ma’am” frequently and I noticed a lot of Texas pride. But people weren’t as different as I expected.

I don’t think I found people in Texas to be much different from New Yorkers in the way I expected. 

In fact, I found the people to be similar, unless we were in a small town. Austin’s strip of bars blared the Texas Longhorns game on a Saturday, and the fans were as feral as Knicks fans. Sports fans are united in their passion for the game, no matter where you go.

The locals in small towns I visited throughout San Marcos and San Antonio were noticeably friendly. We went into a liquor store because my friend wanted to buy a bottle of Texas whiskey, and the store owner spoke to us for an hour and was delighted with the company. 

The people are always polite and use more formalities than in the Northeast. Again, I’m not used to being called “ma’am” frequently; this would never happen in New York!

I will admit that some residents have a far more romantic view of Texas than other states. 

I wouldn’t be quick to criticize Texas openly, especially to people who have lived there for generations. It’s a unique culture far different than the general “I’m American,” most would say, and people in Texas take a lot of pride in their home state. 

The Texas barbeque is delicious, and the chefs are incredible at their craft. Black’s Barbeque in San Marcos has a phenomenal brisket, and every person you speak to has a place for good barbeque recommendations. I think food is part of the subculture! 

My favorite thing I did in Texas? A wildlife refuge near San Marcos.

One part of my Texas trip was unplanned, and my friends and I booked it by chance. We were looking for something unique and spontaneous to do near San Antonio, and we stumbled across a wildlife refuge. Who knew that Texas had a safari tour hidden in the barren backroads? 

The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch was the highlight of our trip, and I would be remiss not to mention it. This is my definition of fun for all ages, and the scenery is stunning. The 400 acres of Texas Hill Country has roaming hills that stretch for miles, and you can take your time driving yourself or booking a guided tour.

Far better than any zoo I’ve visited, the animals roam freely and are well cared for. We bought two bags of food for the emus, giraffes, deer, and elk through the car window (emus are terrifying, by the way). It was uniquely interactive with many endangered species, like the American Bison and the Dama Gazelle.  

If you’re visiting the San Marcos area, book the safari tour! I loved the local area with colonial homes and enjoyed plenty of bars and restaurants, but this was the high point of our trip. 

What’s my overall take on The Lonestar State? I went for the people, and I fell in love with the wildlife instead. Just kidding! 

Overall, Texas has plenty to offer, and I found Southern hospitality to be alive and well. With any trip, I recommend getting out of the main cities and tourist traps and talking to the locals. It’s those conversations that make a place memorable more than the landmarks. 

Also, I must note that since Texas is such a big state, I didn’t get to see cities like Dallas, Houston, or Corpus Christi (yet). I might come back for part two and provide updates! 

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Thanks for reading! Visiting Texas soon? Check out Sarah’s article where she visits the spookiest spots around the Dallas-Fort Worth area next.