*Disclaimer: I was not born in Texas but have been living in the DFW area since 2008. Other than the DFW area, I have lived in California, North Carolina and Missouri. The following is specific to my observations and experiences in the DFW area.
I find human behavior to be interesting… particularly when people feel it necessary to advertise their opinions and beliefs on their vehicle. One thing I noticed shortly after moving to the DFW area is that a lot of people take pride in their Texas residency (native or relocated) and/or religious affiliation. It’s pretty easy to identify them while driving; they are the ones who have some sort of decal on their vehicle representing the Texas flag colors, or they have a decal in the Texas flag colors that says either ‘Texas Native’ or something along the lines of ‘Not native Texan but moved here as quick as I could’, or the vehicles that have some sort of religious decal or emblem.
What I find interesting is for all the people who advertise their state pride and/or religious position, why do the behaviors they display fall so short of what they claim to be advertising? Anyone paying attention while driving on the streets and highways in the DFW area will notice how much trash and debris there is along those streets and highways. All too often I see someone through something out of their vehicle while driving… anything from a cigarette to fast food trash and soda cans. One thing I find comical about this area are all the signs and advertising of the phrase ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’. Most people think it’s a Texas pride thing… the truth is it’s an anti-littering campaign. It would seem the message isn’t getting through based on the amount of trash along the streets and highways.
Another observation I find interesting is with respect to how almost everyone on the streets and highways all but completely ignore the posted speed limits. Apparently the posted speed limits are only a suggestion. I travel on several of the DFW highways every day on my way to work and a majority of the drivers on the road not only grossly exceed the posted speed limits but also drive with little regard for others around them… thus why there are so many accidents each day.
So now for the hypocrisy… for all the people advertising their Texas pride with decals on their vehicles, why do so many care so little about their state and litter without thinking twice about it? What message does that give about the area and its residents to those who are visiting? For all those advertising their religious affiliation, if you litter or drive faster than the posted speed limit, wouldn’t that be a violation of the law? Isn’t violating the law wrong, and intentionally doing something that you know to be wrong a sin?
In closing, regardless if you advertise your pride for your state or for your religious beliefs, let your actions speak and be proof that it’s not just an empty message. Set the example for others to follow.