Are You an Expert in Texan Traditions?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Are You an Expert in Texan Traditions?
Image: Kathryn8/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Everything's bigger in Texas — we mean everything! Not only does Texas have more beef cattle and pecans than any other state in the U.S., but it also has the best traditions you'll find west of the Mississippi River. Do you think you know everything there is to know about being a true Texan, or are you just trying to fit in? 

During the state's existence, it has flown under the flag of six different nations. Now called the Lone Star State in homage of the time it was its very own country, Texas has an identity that stands apart from other states. While there are a few traditions that Texans share with the American South, there are plenty that Texas gets to claim. Texans are so proud, they would probably claim the ones they share as their own, too! 

As you travel down the 85 MPH highway of this quiz, read each question carefully and choose your answers wisely. Do you know Texas well enough to get a Texas-sized score? Put on your boots and head to the livestock show with us. Then we'll let you know how well you did! We bet your score is big and bright. 

01_Whataburger
Wikicommons by Jonesdr77 at en.wikipedia
If you find yourself hankering for a burger at 2 a.m., where does Texas tradition say you should go?
Whataburger
Waffle House
McDonald's
The Golden Nugget
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First opened in 1950, Whataburger is a late-night staple! Based in San Antonio, there are over 670 of them spread throughout the state. A simple menu and fast service are only two of the things Texans love about the famous chain.

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02_soda
Jack Andersen/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Hailing from Waco, what kind of soda do Texans consider a food group?
Sprite
Sierra Mist
Dr Pepper
Coke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since 1885, Texans have been enjoying Dr Pepper. Created by pharmacist Charles Alderson, it started off as a fountain drink. There's no way to tell if it's true for certain, but local legend has it that it was named after the father of a girl Alderson had a crush on.

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03_pass them
CreativeDJ/E+/Getty Images
When Texans want another driver to pass them, what do they do?
Honk their horns
Flash their lights
Pull onto the shoulder and wave the driver around
Slow down until they are forced to pass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas hospitality is so well-known, we probably don't have to tell you about it. Their friendliness extends to their driving, too. If you are driving behind a Texan and you see them pull over to the shoulder and wave, they are graciously letting you pass.

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04_Cotillion
Image Source/Photodisc/Getty Images
Etiquette and formal dances are only two parts of which Texas tradition?
Homecoming
Debutante
Prom
Cotillion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although not all Texas middle-schoolers participate in a cotillion, it's still a popular tradition. For weeks, attendees brush up their etiquette, their ballroom dancing skills and their manners. Their training comes to a close when they attend a formal dance.

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05_state fair
Eternity in an Instant/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Is it true or false that Dallas-Fort Worth area students get a day off to attend the state fair?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's very rare for Texas children to get a snow day, so it's perfectly reasonable that they get a "fair day" when the state fair rolls into town. Held in Dallas, the Texas State Fair lasts for 24 days, starting at the end of September.

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06_brisket
jjpoole/E+/Getty Images
Do you know the name of the famous Austin barbecue joint that serves over 10,000 pounds of brisket every week?
Franklin Barbecue
Rudy Barbecue
Austin Meats
Billy Bob's Barbecue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you really want to dive deep into Texas traditions, you can't skip out on the barbecue. Franklin Barbecue is one of the state's most famous restaurants. It's not unusual to see people camping out so that they're first in line for the day's limited supply.

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07_homecoming mums
Houston Life via Youtube
What sort of flowers traditionally adorn garlands worn by girls heading to a Texas homecoming dance?
Roses
Mums
Daisies
Pansies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What started as the gift of giving a small flower corsage before a homecoming dance has grown into a Texas-sized tradition. You won't see a homecoming court without long garlands of ribbons and chrysanthemums.

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08_big_bertha
Wikicommons by Surelyitsjohn at the English language Wikipedia
When the Longhorn band takes the field, what's the name of the enormous drum they bring with them?
Big Bevo
Big Brenda
Big Bertha
Big Tex
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band" first took the field in 1955. Standing over 8 feet high, Big Bertha is almost 100 years old! It's a Texas tradition for The University of Texas at Austin now, but it started life at the University of Chicago.

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09_dress pair
Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/DigitalVision/Getty Images
If you hear a Texan talking about their "dress pair," what are they talking about?
Cowboy boots
A pair of slacks
Trouser socks
Pumps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Move over, Nashville! Texas has a long-standing tradition about cowboy boots, too. You couldn't be considered a Texan unless there are at least two pairs of them in your closet. Any Texan worth their salt knows that you have to have one pair for everyday wear and another for special occasions.

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10_Livestock rodeo
Paul Souders/DigitalVision/Getty Images
What sort of show do Texans take in while they're at the rodeo?
Musical
Magic
Car
Livestock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not everyone in Texas goes to the rodeo to see bull-riding or rodeo clowns. Many visitors go to take in the livestock shows that are usually held in conjunction with them. It's a prize-winning event that many ranchers attend every year.

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11_funeral procession
fstop123/E+/Getty Images
What might you see some Texans doing when a funeral procession drives by?
Get out of their car
Driver faster than the procession
Turn on their hazard lights
Wave the procession around
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texans have such great manners that they don't simply pull over to the side of the road when a funeral procession is coming through. Many of them also get out of their vehicles and stand in respect for the fallen.

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12_poppies not bluebonnets
Manuel Orero Galan/Moment/Getty Images
Every year, thousands of Texans flock to roadside fields for pictures with which flower?
Sunflowers
Bluebonnets
Lilies
Poppies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lupinus texensis, or the Texas Bluebonnet, is only found growing naturally in one small part of the world. Texas and three Mexican states are full of their blueish, purplish hue every spring. It's quite common to see drivers pulled over to marvel at their beauty.

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13_Tubing
Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty Images
What do Texans simply love to do while spending a day on the river?
Jetskiing
Tubing
Sunbathing
Playing beach volleyball
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Summers in Texas are hot, sometimes hitting the 100s! What better way to cool off than to take a lazy float down a river? Even in the middle of Austin, you can find people floating along peacefully on tubes.

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14_train not car
Sally Anscombe/Stone/Getty Images
How are Texans most likely to travel when they go on vacation?
Car
Train
Airplane
Bus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the second-biggest state in the United States, it's possible to take a vacation without crossing another state border. The state's carefully planned highway make all of its cities accessible by car. Taking a yearly road trip is just part of being a Texan!

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15_football
fstop123/E+/Getty Images
What high school sport is as important as major league sports to Texans?
Soccer
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If there's one thing that Texans love more than college football or the NFL, it's high school football! High school games are a tradition that's taken as seriously as the Super Bowl. Before jetting off the big leagues, many players get their first fans right in their hometowns!

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16_apple pie not pecan
Peter Cade/Stone/Getty Images
For Texans, what's the only kind of pie you'll need on the holiday table?
Pecan
Key lime
Coconut cream
Apple
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pecan is the official nut of Texas, but it's not just a name. Texas' river valleys provide the perfect climate for the trees to naturally grow. In fact, Texas is the only state in the U.S. that grows them commercially. It wouldn't be a holiday dinner without a pecan pie on the table!

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17_steak
LauriPatterson/E+/Getty Images
How should you never order your steak or burger in Texas?
Rare
Medium
Well done
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas takes its meat seriously! There are more cows in Texas than in any other state, and you should learn how to respect the animal while you're there. Texans believe that ordering something cooked to well done is disrespectful because it zaps the meat of all its taste.

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18_gas station hot dog
Ivan/Moment/Getty Images
Which unusual location might Texans send you for a quick bite to eat?
The post office
A state building
A fast food restaurant
A gas station
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Getting food at the gas station might not sound like your idea of a culinary delight, but Texans would beg to differ. Many Texas truck stops and local filling stations have their own grills and gourmet offerings.

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19_taco not tamale
Felicia Chen / foodforfel.com/Moment Open/Getty Images
Which Mexican food is traditionally served during Texan Christmastime celebrations?
Burritos
Tacos
Tamales
Fajitas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From traditional American places to Tex-Mex diners, you'll never be at a loss for something tasty in the Lone Star State. Should you be lucky enough to visit over the holidays, you are sure to take in the state's favorite dish — tamales!

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20_translates to what
ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images
Texans are so welcoming because the state's name translates to what?
Friendship
Love
Honesty
Community
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In addition to being the state motto, "friendship" is the actual meaning of Texas. The state has likely taken its name from a pronunciation of a Caddo word. In their language, it also means "ally."

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21_Bu-cee's
Wikicommons by Jameywiki
What's the name of the Texas truck-stop chain that has a beaver on the logo? It's a road-trip favorite!
Bevo's
Bu-cee's
Sheetz
Wawa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Buc-ee's is headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas, but it has grown beyond the state's borders. Rather than being a standard truck stop, Buc-ee's is more of a roadside mega-mall. You can find anything and everything you need for a proper Texas road trip there.

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22_pecan
FotografiaBasica/E+/Getty Images
Texans pronounce "pecan" a little differently than the rest of the country. How do they say it?
Pick-ahn
Pee-can
Pick-an
Pee-kahn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sure, Texans (and their charming Southern drawl) say a lot of things a little differently than other parts of the country. Since Texas produces the most pecans of any state, we're going to go ahead and say they're the experts when they say "pick-ahn."

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23_SUV not Truck
Ralf Nau/Photodisc/Getty Images
Texas takes third place for the state that has the most of what kind of vehicle?
SUV
CUV
Economy car
Truck
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Trucks are so popular in Texas that many automakers have given the state their own limited editions. With 4.2 million of them registered throughout the state, it's just another way that Texans go big.

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24_address a group of friends
PixelCatchers/E+/Getty Images
When Texans address a group of friends, how do they do it?
You guys
Y'all
You'uns
Yous guys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Are y'all having a good time with Texas traditions? No matter how many people a Texan is addressing, they will always use the word "y'all." It's also popular in the American Southeast, but Texans have a way of saying it that makes it their own.

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25_texas flag
nojustice/E+/Getty Images
Do Texans find it offensive when people wear the state flag?
Yes, they do.
No, it's a popular thing to do.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Simply put, Texans are proud of being Texans. Neither the state flag or the state's shape are considered off-limits. Texans like to adorn everything from bikinis to tortilla chips with all things Texas.

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26_cup and straw not koozie
Snap Decision/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
It would be unusual to see a Texan holding a drink outdoors without which one of these things?
A plastic cup
An umbrella
A koozie
A straw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you didn't have a collection of koozies, you couldn't possibly call yourself a true Texan. Texans love being outdoors, and there's no better way to keep your drink cold than with a foam koozie. They're common souvenirs, and they're a great way to spread Texas pride.

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27_longhorns
Wikicommons by surelyitsjohn
If Texans are not fan of the Longhorns, what's their other favorite college team?
Texas A&M Aggies
There is no other team.
Oklahoma Sooners
Alabama Crimson Tide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Texas football fan wouldn't dream of rooting for an out-of-state team! The biggest game of the year takes place when the Aggies face the Longhorns. You're either on one side, or you're on the other.

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28_Lemonade and Ice Tea
Kevin Trimmer/Moment/Getty Images
Other than Dr Pepper, what drink do Texans love the most?
Sweet tea
Lemonade
Sprite
Monster Energy Drink
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some Texans order sweet tea, and some Texans order unsweetened tea and add sugar to it. Either way, no Texas meal is complete without a large glass of sweet tea poured over ice. Sometimes, Texans even like to brew it in the sun (it's called sun tea).

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29_Tex-Mex
Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Do you know the name given to the state's favorite type of cuisine?
Mexican American
Barbecue Fusion
Tex-Mex
Mexican Fusion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What do you get when you mix traditional Texas cuisine with Mexico's finest dishes? You get Tex-Mex! You don't have to look far for a salsa-covered burger or a bowl full of chili con queso when you're visiting.

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30_childhood photos
RichVintage/E+/Getty Images
If you grew up in Texas, there's a good chance you have childhood photos wearing what type of costume?
Cowgirl/cowboy
Longhorn steer
A star
A cheerleader/football player
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In a state full of ranches, cowboy culture has roots that date back before Texas became a state. It would be tough to find a native Texan who wasn't pushed into a cowboy or cowgirl outfit for at least one set of cute photos. It's a Texas thing!

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31_hotwings not chili
rudisill/E+/Getty Images
Every year, thousands of Texans enter what sort of cook-off?
Ribs
Brisket
Wings
Chili
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As if the barbecues aren't enough Texas goodness, chili cook-offs are a huge deal around the Lone Star State. Many cook-offs — like the Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-off — host over 200 hundred chili cooks and stretch over days of competition.

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32_bbq_plate
Wikicommons by lucianvenutian
Would you traditionally be served white bread or wheat bread with your Texas barbecue?
White
Wheat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Generally speaking, when you order barbecue in Texas, you order it by the pound. Your slab of meat always comes with a few side dishes and one other element. It wouldn't be Texas barbecue without at least a few slices of plain white bread.

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33_Lobster not brisket
Jung Getty/Moment/Getty Images
Instead of a ham or turkey for a holiday dinner main course, what would a Texan serve?
Brisket
Tapas
Lobster
Tuna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the cow's chest, and it's a Texas specialty. Whether it's smoked for hours or slow-roasted in the oven, it's one of the state's most popular cuts. Franklin Barbecue in Austin sells over 10,000 lbs of it every week.

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34_mayor not football
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
If you turned on a local new station on a Friday night in Texas, who might you see being interviewed?
The mayor
A high school football player
The governor
A celebrity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like we said before, there's nothing bigger in Texas than high school football. It's taken so seriously that local football players are often interviewed after games, just like NFL superstars!

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35_Bless your heart
Hinterhaus Productions/Stone/Getty Images
What phrase might a Texan traditionally use that sounds like pity more than the insult it actually is?
"I'm sorry."
"Oops ... you did it again."
"Bless your heart."
"Y'all are crazy!"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In both the American South and in Texas, "bless your heart" is another way of saying that you're kind of an idiot. It sounds well-intended, but it's really an expression that means someone is a bit confused by something you just said or that you deserve it.

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