Not necessarily someone born in Texas. I’ve met dozens of people who embody the Texan spirit despite having moved there later in life. As a popular saying goes, “They moved to Texas as fast as they could.”
Texas is a state of mind. Who chooses to move there, and who can truly feel at home? Undoubtedly, tough, open, cheerful people who know their worth. As Jay B. Sauceda writes in his book, “Y’all Need This Book”:
“Send us your loudest and proudest, those longing for the scent of oak-smoked beef brisket. Send us hard workers who find joy in the simplest aspects of life. Those who understand that the bigger the truck, the closer to God we are. And above all, send us those who will appreciate and embrace the Texan way of life without judging it. Those who come to Texas and fail to grasp the freedom it offers won’t stay long. Those who come and try to ‘fix’ Texas won’t thrive here either. Send us friendly, loving, happy people with a sense of humor—and above all, send us your toughest and quickest thinkers who need plenty of space to stretch their legs!”
As Jay concludes, “We’re waiting for you here, in a place we call Texas—and that you will soon call home. Welcome!”
In 2005, during a speech, George W. Bush said: “Some folks look at me and see swagger, which in Texas is called walking.” This line resonated widely, especially in Texas. In a live broadcast of the speech, a group of Texans could be seen standing up, waving their hats in delight. The quote remains well-known, and many proudly identify with it.
This attitude doesn’t exclude openness and hospitality. The name “Texas” itself originates from the Native American word “Taysha,” meaning “friend.” It evolved into the Mexican Tejas and the American Texas. Southern hospitality, as Americans call it, takes on an even richer meaning in Texas.
“Come and Take It”: What gives Texans their feisty, defiant spirit? Why has even the nuclear submarine USS Texas adopted the motto “Don’t Mess with Texas” into its emblem?
Bandera: A Polish Legacy:
- Why does Bandera, the second-oldest Polish settlement in the United States, carry the title of “Cowboy Capital of the World,” bestowed by the U.S. Congress? The town’s cultural heritage is deeply rooted in immigrants from the Opole region of Poland.
Guns and Freedom:
- Do Texans really carry guns everywhere? Why is the right to bear arms still considered sacred? Discover how Texas history is kept alive through reenactments of battles and robberies, brought to life by dedicated Texan reenactors.
Rattlesnake Encounters:
- How many rattlesnakes can one find lurking in the plumbing of a Texas home? Is it possible to protect yourself from these dangerous reptiles? Learn where to witness mass milking and slaughtering of rattlesnakes—and even taste a rattlesnake stew in the process!
Texas is a land of contrasts, deeply rooted traditions, and colorful legends—a fascinating place where history and culture meet in unexpected ways.
Will Texas Vineyards Surpass California’s?
Can noble grape varieties thrive in Texas? Could bull riding actually support a family? How long does it take to train as a professional rodeo rider?
Texas BBQ: A Culinary Religion
Why has BBQ reached near-religious status in Texas? Can mastering the art of cooking brisket a thousand different ways be a way of life? What makes Texan beef so superior in taste compared to others?
The Houston Rodeo: Charity on a Grand Scale
How is it possible that the world’s largest rodeo, a massive multi-day event in Houston that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators and top-tier artists, is also a charity? What drives legions of volunteers to make it a reality, raising funds for Texan children’s education that dwarf efforts like Poland’s Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity?
Drugs, Smuggling, and Violence
The Texas-Mexico border serves as a boundary between two civilizations. What brought a Polish man to this region to guard the U.S. against cartel operations?
Texas is a state of mind
I like the United States. This is not a popular statement in many cultural circles and often evokes natural resistance. After all, how can you like a hegemon? A country that is bigger, wealthier, and dictates the terms to everyone? Well, somehow I do… because of the people, the lifestyle, the vibrancy, democracy, individual freedom, the Second Amendment to the Constitution, diversity, nature, and the complete difference from my European world. I wrote my previous book about Route 66. A journey from Chicago to the western edge of the continent and traveling through small American towns awakened in me a longing, a nostalgia for a world that remains faithful to its roots and traditions. Our world is becoming more unified—regardless of latitude, we all use social media, ride Uber or something similar, and dress in the same chain stores. The idea of the global village has become a reality, and this process is unstoppable. The internet fuels the crowds traveling to the most picturesque corners of the globe. Most of nature’s “wonders” are accessible for bus tours, and their surroundings are filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. So where can we find uniqueness? Where do people, despite living in the global village, because it applies to all of us, maintain cultural individuality? For example, in Texas! And how! They have their own style, no one can deny that. They are unique because they feel unique, and they are proud of it!
Texas is different from the rest of the USA. How many American states can we name and describe them with just a few adjectives? What associations do names like Tennessee, Wyoming, or South Carolina evoke? Texas generates associations; it stands out. A large part of this is due to Hollywood productions. The image of the Wild West created in them still exists in the minds of global audiences. It’s not a completely true depiction of those times. After the Civil War, one-quarter of the cowboys working with cattle herds were Black. It’s hard to see them in westerns. There are no Black heroes. Cowboys were also Native Americans and, above all, Mexicans. Latino Vaqueros are still considered the best. However, westerns created the myth of the white cowboy and Texas as his homeland. A place where a man alone rides across the prairie on horseback, sleeps on the bare earth, and faces danger. Where independence, resourcefulness, courage, and strength determined a person’s value. Where being a “tough guy” was a way of life. For decades, Hollywood has shaped the myth of the cowboy, and this is how Texans see themselves.
During the work on my book, I constantly encountered statements, from the mouths of the residents themselves, that they are different from the rest of America, but at the same time, I have the impression that they are more “American” than one might think. They love America with all their hearts. Military service is a great honor, and you can see the American flag practically everywhere, alongside the Texan one. So can one maintain a “Texan” individuality while also being wholeheartedly part of something bigger, like the entire country, the USA? Yes, and it’s an important lesson for all active separatists and populists in Europe. I have the impression that Texans feel something I call a veiled “super patriotism,” which goes hand in hand with a negation and a dismissive attitude toward the central government. This is a state of individualists, people wearing hats and t-shirts with slogans like “make us an own state again” or the even more popular slogan found literally everywhere, from clothing to bumper stickers to wall plaques: “Don’t mess with Texas.” This slogan, created for an anti-littering campaign aimed at reducing waste on Texas roads, quickly became the motto of Texans due to its play on words. It perfectly matches the bold character of the state’s residents. No other slogan captures the Texan spirit better. To better understand this attitude, one might try to imagine that in Polish cities and on Polish souvenirs, you’d see slogans like “Don’t mess with the Poles.” For many Americans, Texans are somewhat irritating in their innate belief in their own exceptionalism, manifesting itself, among other things, in their style of dress. Confident, speaking differently than the rest of the citizens, proud, and greeting with a “Howdy” (a popular greeting in Texas used instead of “Hello,” something like a combination of “Hi” and “How are you”) upon meeting. This is all true, but on the other hand, it is impossible not to like them for their extraordinary openness and hospitality.
Who is a Texan? Not necessarily someone born in Texas. I met dozens of people who are thoroughly Texan, feel like Texans, and only settled there in the second half of their lives. “They moved to Texas as fast as they could” – as the popular saying goes, which sooner or later you’ll hear from anyone who wasn’t born in Texas but consciously chose it as their home. Texas is a state of mind. What kind of people want to move there, who has a chance to feel at home there? Certainly, tough, open, smiling people who know their worth. As Jay B. Sauceda writes in his book “Y’all need this book” – “Send us your loudest and most proud, people longing for the smell of beef brisket roasted on oak wood. Send us those who know how to work hard, those who find joy in the smallest aspects of life. Those who understand that the bigger our truck, the closer we are to God, and above all, those who will appreciate and enjoy the Texan way of life without trying to judge it. Those who come to Texas and understand the sense of freedom that life in this state gives will probably not stay long. Those who come and want to fix Texas will probably not find themselves there either. Send us friendly, loving people, happy and with a sense of humor, and above all, send us your toughest and quickest thinkers, who need a lot of space to stretch their legs!” As Mr. Jay adds at the end, “We are waiting for you here, in the place we call Texas, and which you will soon call home. Welcome!”
In 2005, during a speech, George Bush said, “Some folks look at me and see swagger which in Texas is called walking.” Not translating word for word but focusing on the meaning of this sentence, we can say that Mr. Bush meant: “Some people look at me and see a ‘show-off,’ in Texas, such an attitude is natural, like walking.” This one sentence resonated widely, especially in Texas. In the recording of the speech, which was broadcast live to all of America, you can see a group of Texans rising from their seats and joyfully waving their hats. President Bush’s quote is very well-known, and people identify with it.
Such an attitude doesn’t exclude openness to others and hospitality. In Texas, one naturally goes hand in hand with the other. The name of the state comes from a word in the Native American language that meant “friend” – Taysha. From this, the Mexican Tejas and American Texas evolved. Southern hospitality, as Americans call it, takes on an additional expression in Texas. Being helpful and open to others is something natural. As Lawrence Wright, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author from Texas, who wrote the book “God Save Texas,” describes in his book, he once visited New York. On the street, he saw an elderly man nervously pacing by the curb of a crowded street. Cars passed by, people hurried past him, and he walked back and forth, looking as though he had a problem. No one paid him any attention.
Mr. Lawrence, with his innate Texan demeanor, approached the older man and asked if he needed any help. The elderly man looked at him in surprise and said, “What are you talking about? I’m just waiting for a taxi.” This is how Texans view “Yankees” from the North – people who care only about their own business and are preoccupied with their own lives. People from the North are seen as distant and “closed off,” while openness and hospitality are natural traits of a Texan. These are stereotypes, of course, and while they involve many generalizations, without them, it would be difficult to explain the unique mindset of the state’s residents.
Texas is naturally associated with cowboys and rodeos. In the countryside, many people keep horses at home, and it’s not uncommon to see people walking down the streets wearing cowboy boots with spurs. Of course, not everyone, and not everywhere, but in many places, this is the Texan norm. Texas has more than two thousand towns with populations under ten thousand residents, a quarter of which have fewer than a thousand people. In such places, little has changed, and tradition is still very much alive. On the other hand, the vast majority of residents of large cities have never ridden a horse or bought a cowboy hat. In the first thirteen years of the twentieth century, Houston grew by 35%, and it is expected that soon it will surpass Chicago as the third-largest city in the United States, after New York and Los Angeles. The newcomers are mostly Black, Latino, and people of Asian descent. Why do they choose Houston? According to City Journal, the city offers the highest quality of life among all U.S. cities. A quarter of Houston’s residents were born outside the U.S., and nearly 40% are under 24 years old. Thus, youth and ethnic diversity are key to the city’s success. One of the fastest-growing cities in America is Austin, the capital of Texas. The largest tech corporations, including Amazon, Facebook, and Dell, employ thousands there. It is estimated that over 5,000 tech companies are based in Austin.
Texas has no state income tax. The cost of living, compared to salaries, is incomparably lower than, say, in California. Taxes are also lower, and the laws are more liberal, so Texas is experiencing a true “invasion” of people from California, who are relocating by the thousands from the Pacific coast to the Lone Star State. Many end up in Austin, which is considered very cosmopolitan. When asked by Americans where we’re from, saying “Texas” might make them grimace, but if we add that we’re from Austin, their attitude changes. It’s a young, business-focused city, known for its modern and open atmosphere. Programmers are hired from all over the world: from China, India, and Pakistan. Once, I flew from Europe to Texas with a man from Kyrgyzstan. One of the corporations offered him a mid-level programming position. On the plane, near the area where the flight attendants prepare meals, the young Muslim man prayed on a prayer rug. The tech industry is so short of people that recruits are coming from all over the world, and as a result, many settle and start families there. In Austin, it’s rare to see someone in a cowboy hat. It’s business-like but also full of youthful energy and cosmopolitan openness.
Texas was first colonised by the Spanish. In the 17th century, “Tejas” referred to a much larger area than the present state. Texas extended far into what is now Mexico, New Mexico, parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Colorado. When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, Texas naturally became part of Mexican territory. At the same time, the Mexican government granted Stephen Austin permission to bring American settlers into the area. Before long, they began seeking independence from Mexico, and tensions mounted. The flashpoint was the Battle of Gonzales. In 1831, the Mexicans loaned a small cannon to the residents of Gonzales to help protect the colony from Indian raids. Four years later, when they asked for its return, the settlers refused. Mexican troops were sent to retrieve it, but over a hundred Texans gathered in the town to resist. After a brief battle, the Mexican forces retreated, and the cannon remained in the hands of the residents. During the battle, they raised a flag with a lone star and the slogan, “Come and Take It.” This bold reply was also sent in a letter to the Mexican government. To this day, this slogan is ubiquitous in Texas. It not only serves as a reminder of history but also perfectly captures the mindset of the state’s residents. It is often used by proponents of the Second Amendment, which guarantees Americans the right to bear arms. Every time politicians discuss changing the constitution or taking away the right to own firearms, Texans respond with “Come and take it,” meaning “Just try to take that right from us…”
After the Battle of Gonzales, the Texas Revolution for independence from Mexico truly began. In 1836, over two hundred Texans took refuge at the Catholic mission of Alamo, near San Antonio, to defend themselves from the Mexican army. For thirteen days, they held out against an army of more than three thousand Mexicans. All of them perished. A few women and children were spared to spread the news of the devastating loss. This event, however, had the opposite effect. The bravery and determination of the defenders of the Alamo became a symbol of resistance, and General Sam Houston’s army, in a victorious battle at San Jacinto, attacked the Mexicans shouting “Remember the Alamo!” The names of the defenders, except for one unknown soldier, are inscribed on a commemorative plaque in San Antonio. The descendants of those who died there still take pride in their ancestors. Having an ancestor who died at the Alamo is a source of pride, almost aristocratic in nature.
After the victorious war with Mexico, Texas, as the only U.S. state, was briefly an independent nation before being annexed into the Union as an equal state. This history is ingrained in the consciousness of its people. The Texas flag, as the only state flag, is allowed to fly at the same height as the U.S. flag, unless they are on the same pole, in which case the American flag flies above it. To this day, Texans proudly call their state the “Lone Star State,” and isn’t that telling? They stand alone on the U.S. map, yet sometimes seem to be more American than the residents of other states.
Several hundred years of Spanish rule have left a strong mark on Texas culture. Mexico is the neighbor. The pervasive Mexican culture blends with American culture in Texas. Cuisine, music, and customs merge in a unique way. Texas wouldn’t be Texas without Mexico. People of Latino descent make up around 49
The largest ranch, “The King Ranch,” in southern Texas covers an area of over 330,000 hectares. Traveling for miles along the fence of a single property is not unusual. This “megalomania” has its roots. Texas is not only the second-largest state in the U.S., but with a GDP of $1.5 trillion, it is the second-largest economy in the country, after California, and one of the largest economies in the world (God Save Texas, pages 27/28). The wealth comes primarily from oil. It is estimated that over 5,000 companies related to the oil industry operate in Houston alone. This city is also the largest medical center in the U.S. Over 100,000 people work in this business in Houston. Texas is expected to become the most populous state in the U.S. in the near future, with its population predicted to double by 2050.
Texas, as the only state in the U.S., is energy-independent. It has its own energy grid, separate from the rest of the country. This is crucial for an economy that relies on oil and gas extraction, which requires large amounts of energy. In addition to oil, renewable energy sources also play a key role in the economy. On the plains, such as around Sweetwater, hundreds of wind turbines stand. The vast open spaces are ideal for electricity production. Already, 17% of Texas’s electricity comes from wind power (God Save Texas, page 43). For example, Austin uses 20% solar energy, and in ten years, they aim to reach 40%. It’s astonishing that almost half of the electricity in such a large, modern metropolis will come from renewable sources. Texas provides an example worth following.
Modern technologies also include the space industry. Jay B. Sauceda jokes in his book that since three of the twelve astronauts who walked on the moon were from Texas, and all the others were trained in Texas, it could be said that all were Texans. A truly Texan statistic, but it’s true that the space industry is a source of pride for the state of the Lone Star. What is Houston most famous for? The name of this city was the first word spoken by a human on the moon, and the phrase “Houston, we have a problem” is known to almost everyone. That’s where NASA’s flight command center is located. Space travel is important, but we must not forget about tradition and the natural environment. Tourists who want to see the rockets built by NASA in Houston must travel from the main building to the hangars located in another part of the complex. Traveling in comfortable shuttles, they can see Longhorn cattle grazing on NASA’s land. Shouldn’t this be the way to build the future, with respect for tradition and culture?
Private companies in the space industry that build their own rockets and carry out space missions also reside in Texas. Companies such as Elon Musk’s (SpaceX, Tesla), Jeff Bezos’s (Amazon, Blue Origin), Firefly, and many others have their headquarters there. Texas is the American hub for the space industry.
The climate conditions in Texas are not simple. Today, it’s definitely less harsh than, say, a hundred or two hundred years ago. Settlers went through hell. Texas experiences wildfires, blizzards, snowstorms, unbearable heatwaves, droughts, storms, sandstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. The greatest natural disaster in U.S. history occurred in Texas. In 1900, as many as eight thousand people lost their lives in a hurricane that struck Galveston, located on the Gulf of Mexico. Several-year-long droughts, characteristic of Texas, used to lead to famine. Droughts often last for several years, followed by periods of regular rainfall. In the old days, those who survived the weather extremes and secured food still had to watch out for rattlesnakes, which are still thriving in Texas today and pose a real danger. The temperature fluctuations from minus 5°C in January to over 40°C in August are similar to Poland’s, but considering that minus 5 occurs practically only in January, and the rest of the year consists of a short spring and extremely hot summers, the few days below freezing are unbearable for Texans.
The state’s landscape is very diverse. Texas is not only a prairie stretching to the horizon. This only applies to the western part of the state. The central region, known as Hill Country, features hundreds of kilometers of tree-covered green hills. Similarly, the landscape of eastern Texas is completely different from the prairie, with forests dominating the area. In the south, the Gulf of Mexico is located, so there are many tourist towns that look like they’ve been transplanted straight from Florida—resorts, the ocean, and beaches. What unites the landscape of the entire state once a year is the bluebonnet, Texas’s official flower. It blooms from March to mid-April, practically all over the state. Some municipalities prohibit mowing grass during this time to let the flowers bloom. Every year, new seeds are sown along the roads, so for a short period, the landscape becomes a striking shade of blue. Several municipalities and residents sow new flowers each year, which is why their numbers continue to grow.
In addition to westerns, oil, and space travel, Texas has produced many artists. Among them are Beyoncé (I recommend the Texas-style song “Daddy’s Girl”), Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, ZZ Top, Selena, George Strait, and the biggest Texas star of them all, Willie Nelson. A legend of country music and a staunch advocate for the legalization of marijuana. He even founded a company called “Willie’s Reserve.” Despite strict drug possession laws, he has been fighting for the legalization of cannabis for years, claiming it saved his life and made him who he is, which is why people admire him. Willie is a figure in Texas, comparable to Elvis Presley, and despite his age, he still performs. Texas is also the home of several U.S. presidents, including the highly respected George H.W. Bush, the patriarch of the Bush family. His name is used for, among other things, the airport in Houston. Other U.S. presidents born in Texas include Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The computer, internet, show business, large cities, and entertainment industry are just part of the picture of the Lone Star State. This is its modern face, thanks to which it is rapidly developing. However, just a short drive to smaller towns allows you to experience the Texas that I wanted to get to know. People drive pick-up trucks there, so popular that some brands even make models specifically for Texas. These workhorses are perfect for farming. On the countryside, country music reigns, which can often be heard not only from professional artists but also from locals gathering in local bars. This is the world of ranches, cattle grazing, horseback riding, and rodeos. Texans have developed their own culture, which they cherish with great pride. The countryside is strongly conservative, defending the right to bear arms and believing in God. It cultivates western traditions and has a strong passion for BBQ. The phenomenon of Texas culture is explored by authors of publications such as “How to Be a Texan,” “Talk Like a Texan,” and “What Does It Mean to Be a Texan.” The culture of this state is intriguing and attractive. Are there books like “Talk Like a German”? Or “What Does It Mean to Be a Czech”? “Why Are Poles Special?” Being a Texan is a way of life, a way of thinking, speaking, behaving, and seeing the world. Texas is a state of mind. This is what this book is about—today’s Texas, far from the large cities and shopping malls. Texas traditions are not relics of a museum, nor a way to invoke history. They are part of the present, firmly rooted in the minds of its residents. Tradition is carefully nurtured and is the foundation for building the future. Despite the growth of globalization, it seems nothing can threaten it.