Three Hot Reasons Texas is Friendly
Reason #1: Those Retail Folks. In this Friendly state when you’re shopping or ordering food, you regularly hear, “Have a blessed day”, “How’s your day going so far?”, “You need anything?”, and the almost complete conversations you can have with the checker at H.E.B. Customer service around here is on a different level. It’s not all perfect, but people who are helping you seem to genuinely want to help you. And, that they like people. Wow. (If you’d like to know more about H.E.B., hop over to this post ALL about that special store!)
Reason #2: Neighbors are Neighborly. And our new neighborhood is particularly friendly. (I have a theory that Texas’ friendliness is catchy, so even people from other not so friendly states convert to the Texas way.) I hear things like, “We’re having a barbecue tonight, just bring yourselves and a couple of chairs” and “Come down for coffee anytime”. Oh, and the delicious line, “We just barbecued, here’s a plate of my brisket!” Another line a newcomer loves is “Can I show you around? Have you seen ___yet?”
Reason #3: It’s the Friendly State. People wave ‘Hello” at you. People smile at you. People stop and talk to you. If you ask for a recommendation for a restaurant (or anything actually), you get a long list with details. It’s the same thing with directions.
Are There Friendly People Anywhere Else?
Of course! Let me emphatically respond that there were so many friendly people in the PNW, especially in our small town of Poulsbo. Friendly people are friendly people no matter where they live. But, this Texas friendly state thing truly is a THING. Come visit us (if you’re not a Texan already) and you’ll see what I mean!
Your Turn to Chime in!
Join in the conversation! What are some things that you’ve noticed friendly people doing (whether in Texas or any other state)? What do you like to do to make people feel welcome, comfortable, and that they belong? I’m sure there are a million other ways to show friendliness out there.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 NLT
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
