Ok so there are two questions that have gone unresolved since I moved to Texas from NYC. Nobody seems to know so I figured I'd ask here.

1) what's with the pickup trucks? Everyone seems to have one, and those that don't, they dream about having one? I still don't get it, the people I know rarely use the back and they get maybe 17 MPG. WTF?

2) what's up with people wearing Buccees t-shirts? I've seen them on campus and everywhere in Texas. I mean, are these people aware that they are wearing a Tshirt of a gas station?

(07-14-2012 07:15 AM)Yankee Runner Wrote:  2) what's up with people wearing Buccees t-shirts? I've seen them on campus and everywhere in Texas. I mean, are these people aware that they are wearing a Tshirt of a gas station?

It's kind of unfair to call Buccees a "gas station". I've been to the new one in New Braunfels and it's the size of an airport.

Have you heard of Rudy's BBQ? It's grown into several stores now. Each store I've seen has gas pumps out front. It's not just a "gas station" either.

Having said that, people wear t-shirts with all sorts of things on them.

(I don't get the truck thing either.)

Oh the truck. This one is mine. My guess why everyone has a truck here is because it was a vehicle that farmers could use to haul hay around, think back to the early 1900s, Texas was still pretty much a farming state, so my best guess is that it became a symbol of Texas.

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Truck owners in Texas are usually in 1 of 3 categories:

1. Men & women that actually use it for business or lifestyle. (farmers, ranchers, construction, hunters, & coaches)

2. Men with small man syndrome

3. Women who wish they were a man

(07-14-2012 09:30 AM)jarmzet Wrote:  

(07-14-2012 07:15 AM)Yankee Runner Wrote:  2) what's up with people wearing Buccees t-shirts? I've seen them on campus and everywhere in Texas. I mean, are these people aware that they are wearing a Tshirt of a gas station?

It's kind of unfair to call Buccees a "gas station". I've been to the new one in New Braunfels and it's the size of an airport.

Somewhat worth mentioning it's the largest convenience store in the world.

Haven't seen the shirts worn much, but it's just another 'everythings bigger in Texas' flaunting.

I grew up driving trucks. I worked every summer in construction and bailing hay. A truck is so natural to me that it feels strange being in a car and sitting so low to the ground. I'm also 6'2" and barrel chested. I don't fit well in small cars.

It's just what I'm used to and what I prefer. I don't need a truck anymore. But I always prefer a truck.

(07-14-2012 11:06 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  Truck owners in Texas are usually in 1 of 3 categories:

1. Men & women that actually use it for business or lifestyle. (farmers, ranchers, construction, hunters, & coaches)

2. Men with small man syndrome

3. Women who wish they were a man

4. People that don't like driving in a car for safety reasons or because they are low to the ground.

FIFY

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As a non-native Texan, I'd like to know "Why do Texans all seem to have paving stones in the shape of the State of Texas"? Would they not know they were in Texas otherwise?

(07-14-2012 12:14 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  As a non-native Texan, I'd like to know "Why do Texans all seem to have paving stones in the shape of the State of Texas"? Would they not know they were in Texas otherwise?

Because we are proud to be "TEXANS" and yes I also have a truck. Has nothing to do with my manhood.

(07-14-2012 11:06 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  Truck owners in Texas are usually in 1 of 3 categories:

1. Men & women that actually use it for business or lifestyle. (farmers, ranchers, construction, hunters, & coaches)

2. Men with small man syndrome

3. Women who wish they were a man

Lol very colorful response. I get the whole cultural thing a bit more now. Also, if you are an oddly big man then I can see it too. But it seems like the majority don't fit this description. My girl's dad has one of those huge Dodge pickups, and he let my girl borrow it while her car was in the shop. Anyways, I drove it and it felt nice in a clumsy way (although I did feel safer) until I went to the gas station. It was on E so I figured id fill 'er up. $106 dollars later, I had tears coming down my eyes.

And I wasn't aware that Bucces was the largest retailer in the world. That new one in New Braunfels seems super nice, I'll go give it a shot. But unless I walk in there and see a rollercoaster, a full African safari experience and a massage parlor with free happy endings, I wouldn't wear their T-shirt, let alone pay actual money for it.

I think trucks are more of a status symbol in Texas. Some of those things are expensive.

I like Buccees but I really don't see the big deal either lol. I like them because they always have clean restrooms. That's about it.

Trucks are one of those items that are nice to have when you need it. Sure, you don't always need it, but when you do, it's a pain to borrow one or convince a buddy with one to haul something for you. Like the bumper sticker says, "Yes it's my truck. No, I won't help you move."

Also, within the truck market, there are a couple of factors driving the purchase of the really well-equipped trucks (i.e. King Ranch).
- if you own a business, you get a large tax deduction for a company vehicle over a certain GVWR. As I understand it, if it's a pickup, it's based on 100% of the cost , compared to 25% if it's an SUV (or a really heavy car).
- You don't pay gas guzzler tax on pickups. I know several folks that opted for a loaded-up crew cab truck instead of a big luxury sedan.