MovieChat Forums > Stop-Loss (2008) Discussion > Texans aren't all cowboy hat wearing hic...

Texans aren't all cowboy hat wearing hicks

posted 16 years ago by asri-4
34 replies | jump to latest

I've lived in Texas all my life and we don't all wear cowboy hats and listen to country music. The bar scene when they first came home seemed so unrealistic to me. I've never seen women dressed like those - even those who go to country bars. I've known a few guys who wear cowboy hats - my husband even has two horses - but I don't think I've ever known a woman who wore one. I guess there are some, but I'm so tired of the stereotypes of Texans as hicks. We listen to regular music, not country, and we wear regular clothes, not cowboy boots.

[–] c_lockitineddie_9588 16 years ago

...actually, they are. Fact.

[–] david_sonnen2000 15 years ago

hahaha!!! no

[–] nicver 14 years ago

Some, are.

You can walk with a 10 gallon hat on your head in Texas and no one will mock you.

Do the same in New York or Chicago and you'll be ridiculed.

[–] Defenseman13 11 years ago

Texas is full of cowboy hat wearing, boot wearing cowboys.

FACT.

Just because you're not one of them doesn't mean that the stereotype doesn't exist for a reason. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

[–] fallenchipmunk-1 16 years ago

Hell sounds like we have more cowboys around here then you then. And I'm in Ohio.

I wouldn't take it to seriously honestly, people like to think Texas is a place where cowboys still exist. Its a romantic view of the state, some people like the idea and some (such as yourself) don't.

[–] badmofo6662004 16 years ago

I'm from Ohio, too. So, true...

It never made any sense to me why so many people in Ohio dress like cowboys, and have rebel flags. Ohio is a northern state. I also don't understand why there are so many Mexicans around here either. It's like we're a Texas wannabe, lol.

[–] angelatalk2000 16 years ago

Amen, original poster!!!! I'm a Jersey girl, but what time I have spent in Texas (including a very large conference for academics who work in two-year colleges sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin) and people I have known show a much broader type of person. Country music and cowboy hats are fine, but Texans show a greater range of interests (nationally recognized Texas Ballet Theater, anyone) and are articulate and intelligent.
While I'm ranting, I understand what's wrong with the stop-loss policy and the hardship to soldiers, but why does the movie show every soldier to be a nut-case who can't handle the stress of battle without causing damage to self, property and loved ones? It shows less sympathy than patronization. Most soldiers handle the difficulties of their lives with strength. Let's not start the 'crazed Vietnam Vet' type of stereotype we saw in movies 30 years ago.

[–] clear_desire 16 years ago

I'm a Texan!!! Born and raised...

I would say it's never been an issue for me to see Hollywood stereotype Texans. But it's true that there probably are more cowboys in other states such as Ohio and Montana. It is sort of the "romantic" idea of what Texas is.

I have to be honest though - I haven't helped the cause. I once had my friend from Germany convinced that I rode my horse to school everyday when I was in high school. :)

~Do that which makes you come alive!

[–] nrvanagrl 16 years ago

Austin isn't Brazos.

And if you are from Austin, have you been to Midnight Rodeo or the Broken Spoke? Those places are exactly like the welcome home party.

[–] MaddJester 16 years ago

Hell.. I am sure if you go to like marathon...or around fredricksburg. I always thought San Antonio was pretty cowboyish for a city. I'd rather have people think of cowboys when they think Texas...instead of having houston pop into people's heads. ( No offesne to any people from houston...) Is just well....come on. Every Texan knows what I mean. I think I am just gonaa shut up now before I get shot...

oh yea and

AUSTIN IS #1 !!!!!
:D

(I guess everyone knows where I'm from now)

[–] dannieboy20906 10 years ago

I don't know about "cowboys," but there are still real wranglers, horse men, and cattle drovers working in Arizona, California, Montana, Wyoming, etc. It is a way of life good for a year or two, then you need to move on unless you like cows or horses more than people.

[–] minnaow-1 16 years ago

Well, this isn't a movie about all of Texas or all Texans. This is about the small town people in South West Texas. Being a Texan who has been around this state more than a few times, I can say with GREAT certainty that people out there usually listen to country music, dress casually and semi-formally in blue jeans, dress shirt, cowboy hats and boots, and enjoy their fair share of beer, men and women alike. If you really think this film shows a negative stereotype, especially when portrayed with this much realism and affection, then you should take a trip around West Texas. Anyone who has been to North Texas or even East Texas (quite a few thanks to the business booms lately) knows that Texas is just as varied as any other state.
Note: I do not own a pair of cowboy boots, nor a 10 gallon hat, and I don't listen to country music.

[–] straberry_11 15 years ago

well i have gone through most part of Texas... and i as a texan i can say we are a varied state.... people in texas like different kind of things.. and for hearing country music and dressing kind of cowboyish, we really dont do that atleast not here in EL Paso, TX... I think i heard more country music in Alabama than Texas!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] ReasonToBelieve910 15 years ago

Ok I thought Ryan Phillepe was unbelievably gorgeous as a Texas cowboy. So please don't ruin my fantasy of meeting a beautiful texan who wears a cowboy hat and looks like Ryan or Channing. On the otherhand I understand why you wouldn't want to be only knows as hicks wearing cowboy hats. But I would give anything to move to Texas and live as a hick and wear a cowboy hat every day and marry a gorgeous cowboy.

...I have a thing for cowboys...

I once had my friend from Germany convinced that I rode my horse to school everyday when I was in high school

hahahahahahaha

Lucas: I think they're whiny and depressing
Peyton: And if they could squint, they'd be you!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] cflr 15 years ago

The way that Texas and Texans are portrayed in this and other movies, I wouldn't want to come within 800 miles of the state if it were really this way. It is nice to know that the Texas being portrayed in such movies is very different than the real one.

[–] eightofspades 15 years ago

Don't worry. Most people realise that movies use stereotypes....although all British people really do speak with a cockney accent! Especially the Welsh ;)

[–] ScarletRubie 15 years ago

actually this is factual for certain parts of texas, texas is big and tough in dallas their aren't cowboy wearing 'hicks' there are people out in the country that way. I do live in dallas

i IAN and JACOB!http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4530786/1/One_Step_At_A_Time

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] missinmysgt 15 years ago

I've lived in Texas for 14 years now and, honestly, it really depends on WHERE in Texas you are. For example, I used to live in Austin and trust me, you won't find very many stereotypical cowboys there. If YOU think its hard explaining that Texas isn't all stereotype, try explaining it to a butt load of soldiers that just became stationed there. Once I married my husband (an active duty SGT in the army) I had to move to Ft. Hood and got made fun of SO much for being a "Texas Native." Blah blah blah. Seriously though....I only wear my cowboy hat on weekends. :P (Totally kidding for anyone that didn't get it)

[–] nauseating_nancy 15 years ago

People won't believe you anyways. I've noticed it's mainly people who have never been to Texas that still believe this stereotype. We probably do get more than our fair share of cowboys and people who listen to country, but still not anywhere near enough to say the whole population does.

[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

I agree with eightofspades above, stereotypes abound. I've spent a month in New York City and wasn't met with rudeness. I grew up in Chicago and never met a gangster (although my best friend's father lived next door to Al Capone's brother in the 1920's). My daughter feels the friendliest place she's ever lived was Paris. I've lived all over and found that for the most part the whole world is a mixture of all types of people. Although in my experience the places with the friendliest people have been Mexico and California. There, I've just created a stereotype.

Texans, get over it. I never heard anyone say that the portrayal of the people in Stop-Loss was supposed to represent the entire state, just that one rural community. I've never lived in rural Texas but I've lived in the rural midwest and I found the depiction very true to life. Are you telling me that rural Texas is that different? I don't think so.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] rstachnis 15 years ago

I do live in Austin right now. I was born in Chicago and grew up between Chicago, New york and Denver. Don't ask why I am in Austin except the weather is awesome and people are nice. However, it is true that Texas is a big fricken state, you can drive six hours south, and north before leaving the state, and about four hours east and west from the center. Therefore, there are several different types of areas. Austin and Dallas tend not to be complete hick areas, though Dallas is land of Cheerleaders and pageant winners (not that thats a bad thing). Austin is what is called a "liberal oasis" and that is what its referred to for a reason. The people tend to have interest in many different things, not just rodeos, football (though football is like a religion everywhere here in TX), and two stepping. As a matter of fact, most of the clubs are not country up here. Oddly enough though, people actually wear t-shirts and jeans to a club on a friday or saturday night, and things are all slower here (if you are used to city speed at lunch just skip it down here). I do agree though that there are several rural areas that are somewhat like this area, but it is more like a depiction of Kentucky, Louisiana, or the borders of the states near them.

[–] christinatheme 15 years ago

well, at a dance hall like that featured in the movie, listening/ dancing to ricky calmbach, i think they did pretty good with wardrobe. i saw ricky calmbach not too long ago out at schroeder hall (2nd oldest dance hall in texas) and while i listen to the tunes, i was in a pair of converse but most of the other folks looked pretty standard from that scene in the movie.