Seen from the Outside: Texas Weirdness Non-Texans Have Noticed

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re not from the Lone Star State, you may have noticed some things that seem strange. You are not alone.

KXAN conducted a poll to find out what people think of the state. Here are the weirdest things viewers have noticed since moving to Texas.

strange things in texas

Pride comes in many forms, and it doesn’t seem to be something Texas is missing.

One viewer said it was strange how much pride people took with the Texas flag, adding that it was also strange the state flag, the image of the state, or anything with the shape of the state of Texas.

“So we were technically our own country at one point,” the viewer replied.

Texas is one of 16 states with its own state pledge. This pledge was enacted in 1933 by the Texas Legislature.

One viewer said, “It still amazes me that kids say their pledge to the Texas flag.

“A national pledge. It’s a little strange…my kid has no idea why he’s doing it,” agreed another viewer.

Texas has the highest speed limit in the entire United States, with an 85 mph speed limit on State Route 130.

“The craziest thing I’ve observed. Traffic signs are just a suggestion,” said one viewer.

“The speed limit is clearly 15 miles per hour higher than what’s posted,” said another viewer.

If you’ve lived in Texas for a while, you may have noticed tire marks on the lawn from the highway.

One viewer said, “When people cross the median to get out of stopped traffic on the interstate.” “Straighten the lawn. No shame.”

This method of terminating traffic has a name.

“It’s called Texit,” said one viewer.

Texas may not have an official state mammal, but a quick search reveals that the most commonly associated with Texas are the Texas longhorn, nine-banded armadillo, and Mexican flying fox. I understand this.

However, one viewer thought it strange that it took so long to see one of these mammals.

“I lived here for nearly ten years before I saw a live armadillo,” said a viewer.

Another viewer welcomed the state’s extensive wildlife, saying, “It’s like living in a National Geographic movie….all different wildlife…”

Texas is no stranger to pickup trucks, but while vehicles seem to be a pervasive part of the state’s culture, parking spaces seem to have to catch up.

One viewer said, “I find it strange that so many people have huge trucks, but so many parking lots are so tight.” , too big for most parking spaces!”

Another viewer said, “My Volkswagen Golf doesn’t even fit in the compact car spot. I had to climb the trunk one day just to get lunch.”

On the topic of cars, another viewer said it was strange that people in the state seemed more likely to return to parking spaces than to park.

Tea is a Texas staple, but there seems to be some debate about how to properly label the drink.

“Tencha = tea with sugar. Tea = tea. Why ‘not sweet’???” asked one viewer.

Another viewer clarified the difference.

“Sweet is the default, so you have to specify non-sweet,” the viewer replied.

A tradition that caught people off guard was the homecoming mother, but one viewer said it wasn’t the only strange thing.

“Not only the mother, but the ribbons and trinkets that make up the Homecoming ‘corsage’ weigh more than the person wearing it,” said a viewer.

Last but not least, the non-Texans mentioned classic Southern/Texan terminology that seemed odd.

Viewers noted that saying “y’all” was an oddity related to conditions that take time to get used to.