"Don't Mess With Texas!" We're all familiar with this saying, but I've discovered hanging out in online relocation forums that a lot of people who aren't from here really don't understand what it's about.
They think it's too aggressive. They think that we're being pugilistic. They think that we're saying that we're better than anyone else. Granted, there've been some riffs on the phrase that could lead to that conclusion - I, myself, have a cherished old red t-shirt that says, in big red letters, "Don't Mess With Texas Women". Now, that's pretty accurate - we are known to rip off the velvet glove rather quickly, and a lot of us ARE armed!
This confusion has become widespread enough that I've actually seen a billboard by the Texas Department of Transportation that says, "'Don't Mess With Texas' Means Don't Litter". Now, that's sad, that it has to be spelled out so bluntly.
In actuality, "Don't Mess With Texas" is an award-winning advertising program sponsored by TxDOT intended to, with some humor, remind people that "messing" with Texas in the form of littering is not the manly thing to do. Commercials with such Texas icons as Willie, Lyle, Stevie (yeah, a lot of our icons are known by one name), Joe Ely, Marcia Ball, George Foreman, and others encourage our citizens to treat Texas with respect, not throwing trash on her highways and byways. We're proud of our state, with good reason, and don't hold kindly with people treating her with disrespect.
So, when you're traveling in Texas, whether you're just visitin', or you've lived here all your life and all your granddaddy's life, or if you're relocating here, and you see a sign that says, "Don't Mess With Texas," just smile and put that trash away to throw in the trash can at the next stop, or put that cigarette (yes, they do count) out in the ash tray instead of throwing it out the window. Texas will thank you, the environment will thank you, and we won't have to get aggressive or pugilistic with you!
Tricia: Litter, unchecked, can lead to huge problems with wildlife and the surrounding environment. I think the "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan needs to be tweeked to bring out a more aggressive stance on litter.
It's interesting what we can become accustomed to. You hear a slogan so much for so long, you assume everyone knows what it means. I guess if it was my first time visiting Texas, I wouldn't know exactly what it means... Thanks for spelling it out. I'm going to feature it for more exposure.
hi, Tricia:
Being a Yankee (from Chicago, nonetheless) I knew exactly what it meant when I first arrived. Most people 'just don't get it" - and I'm not just talking about those who don't understand the slogan. They don't get the littering part of it either! The world is their trash can! It's in the constitution... or some thing.
Anyways - my wife's friend came down to visit in 2006. And she loved the slogan so much, she bought $200+ worth of crappy souveniers from a shop downtown. When we told her, "it means don't litter" - she laughed, and said, "My family will never figure that out... they'll just love this stuff..."
What ever works!?!
I have always known the history behind this slogan, but I think it says so much more about us than just "Don't Litter". I'm proud of being a native Texan - don't mess with us, ha, ha.....
Chris, it certainly can! We see it out here in the country when people drive down the roads and throw trash out their car windows.
Donna, I thought everyone understood it, too, until I started hanging around on various online forums and discovered that some folks think we're being boastful about our fighting prowess or something. Thought a little clarification might be in order.
Michael, I agree, some folks just don't get it. My jaw dropped the time I was in line at a stop light in the left turn lane and saw someone's car door open and them empty their ashtray right there on the road. Unfortunately, the light changed before I could get out of my car and go up to ask them about why on earth they did that.
Rob and Camille, unfortunately, a lot of folks from out of state moving here take it to mean that, and it doesn't quite jib with "Texas friendly". It may be TRUE, but it's not something I'd think needs saying all that much, being so obvious and all. ;-)
Well, when I got here (TX) 13 years ago, I love the slogan "Don't Mess with Texas". Although I know what it is referring to, I still like to apply it to other situations, such as when UT or Texas A & M sports teams go against out of staters. I love another Texan saying; "Everything's Bigger in Texas", because it's true...a few years ago my husband bought a postcard that showed Texas and France that said "Texas Is Bigger Than France". We all got a good laugh at that during France's hate-American days. Well, we could get away with it, since our last name is French.