What do you know about Dallas? When it comes to Dallas as a Texas city, cowboys, horses, sandy deserts with cacti, diamonds and oil rigs come to mind first. These images have been shaped by historical experiences, cultural influences and personal experiences of Americans who have interacted with the residents of Dallas. They were also popularized by the media. We will explore in more detail at i-dallas whether these stereotypes are true or just myths.
Everyone wears cowboy outfits
The stereotypical cowboy attire consists of a cowboy hat, boots, bandana, leather vests or jackets, jeans and chaps, which are wide leather gaiters worn over pants. These chaps protected the cowboy’s legs from horse bites and injuries at the fall or while pushing through dense bushes. Like the jacket, they often had fringes that helped water run off during rain, protecting against getting soaked.
Historically, cowboys drove cattle from ranches to sale points. However, with the appearance of barbed wire that limited grazing land, and the development of railway transport, the need for cowboys significantly decreased. Over time, the distance between ranches and markets became shorter because of the growth of Texas and an increase in population. Therefore, cattle drives became unnecessary. Cowboys gradually transformed into settled farmers, which led to the change of their clothing.
Today in Dallas, as in other Texas cities, you can see cowboy attire, but mostly at celebrations or special events. Cowboys no longer drive cattle but entertain the public. However, the city’s associations with cowboys remain part of Dallas’s cultural identity.
Dallas has the best BBQ
Barbecue is one of the most popular things in Dallas, which confirms the stereotype. In general, the tradition of barbecue in America began with the arrival of the first Spanish colonists, who taught how to roast meat over an open fire. However, in Texas, particularly in Dallas, barbecue has become not just food but a part of the culture. Here, the meat has a unique pungent flavor and aroma of smoke. It is important to choose the right type of wood for the fire. Ribs, steaks and kebabs are grilled on the barbecue.
The city has many great restaurants where you can taste delicious barbecue with a Dallas aftertaste, or you can cook it yourself outdoors with family and friends.
Cattle drives through the streets of Dallas
The stereotype of cattle drives in Dallas is not true and is more associated with Fort Worth, a nearby city that is a 30-minute drive away. There, cattle are still driven through the city’s streets. This has become a nice tradition and a tourist highlight of the city. Every morning and evening, big bulls with long horns are led through the historic Stockyards district. Every
detail of this event, from the boots to the cowboy hat, is well thought out and reflects historical reality.
The only place in Dallas where you can observe cattle driving is Pioneer Plaza Park. There is a sculpture depicting three cowboys and a herd of forty bulls with long horns. The statues are made of bronze. Each one is unique, so you won’t find bulls that look the same. This exhibit is dedicated to the nineteenth-century cattle drives along the Shawnee Trail and symbolizes the spirit of Texas.
Everyone only listens to country music in Dallas
Continuing the theme of hats and boots, let’s talk about the stereotype regarding the musical preferences of Dallas residents. It is often believed that in Texas, people only listen to country music. However, cities across the state host some of the largest and best music festivals in the United States, featuring multi-genre performers.
Oil rigs everywhere
Although Texas is famous for its abundance of oil fields and is the largest oil-producing state in the United States (Texas produced a total of 1.8 billion barrels in 2022), there are no oil wells in the city of Dallas.
That is why this stereotype is a myth, which more likely appeared after the release of the American TV series Dallas, which aired from 1978 to 1991. The show had 14 seasons and was very popular. The plot revolves around the story of a rich Texas family, the Ewings, who owned an oil company and a ranch with cattle. Dallas became one of the longest-running dramas in the history of American television. So it’s no surprise that after 357 episodes about Dallas oil magnates, the city was considered a region rich in oil pools.
In 2007, the series Dallas was included in Time magazine’s list of “The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,” but there is not much truth in it.
All Dallas residents live on ranches, and the primary mode of transportation is a horse or a large pickup truck
It is an obvious myth associated with the Wild West and the influence of cinema. Dallas is one of the biggest and fastest-growing cities in Texas. Therefore, horse riding has remained in the past, unlike the neighboring city of Fort Worth, where ranches and real cowboys still exist.
Large pickup trucks can indeed be found on the streets of Dallas, but not more often than in other American cities.
Millionaires with 30 thousand dollars
“Millionaires with 30 thousand dollars” is a catchphrase used in Dallas to describe people who spend more money than they earn just to make an impression of a rich person. These residents of Dallas (mostly men) have ordinary jobs, such as office clerks or in the service industry.
Earning around 30 thousand dollars, they try to look rich and successful. They show this through branded suits, watches, lavish vacations and so on. To have such an effect, they often have to take out loans and get into debt.
Texas is a separate country
There is a stereotype that Texans, particularly residents of Dallas, are so patriotic for their state that it may seem like they think of it as a separate country.
Indeed, Texas was once an independent country, officially known as the Republic of Texas, until it became the 28th state of the United States on December 29, 1845. In addition, the large area, cultural differences and media influence maintain the perception that Texas is a separate country.
Dallasites take this stereotype with humor and use it mainly in jokes, but not at rallies.
Desert climate
Dallas itself is a large city with a well-developed infrastructure. Even on the outskirts of the city, you barely will find any desert. In general, arid areas make up only 10% of Texas’s territory, so imagining sandy landscapes with isolated cacti and tumbleweeds would be wrong. Similarly, the notion that it is warm in Dallas all year round is also not true. On average, only one inch of snow falls in the city every year. It also occasionally experiences blizzards. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 14°C. So a jacket is necessary in winter. Rain occurs in late spring and early fall, sometimes even with floods.
On New Year’s Eve in 1978, Dallas was hit by a severe snowstorm. As a result, the homes of about 300,000 residents were left without power for two days. Some regained electricity only after ten days. The city’s damages were estimated at fourteen million dollars. This kind of weather is not too typical for deserts, is it?