Thursday, March 20, 2008

A question for you all

Which state is the most aggressively and self-consciously themed, Texas or Florida?

My youngest, when we visited Florida two years ago, observed that everything in Florida seemed to be Florida-themed, in other words, there were constant reminders everywhere that you were in FLORIDA, as if you might forget while you were there. She also said, on an earlier visit to Texas, that the problem with Texas was all the Texans. There's something about being someplace where the people seem compelled to remind you, almost constantly, that that is where you are.

I hadn't even made it to the baggage claim tonight after landing when I saw a souvenir shop called "LONE STAR". Nice strong start. They lost theme points almost immediately, however, by having an Au Bon Pain right next to it. Plus I haven't heard any gunfire or shouts of "WOOOO HOOOO" or "YEEE HAWWW" in the past couple hours.

I say Florida wins this round.

13 comments:

GETkristiLOVE said...

Yeah, but how many pairs of Wranglers have you seen in the past hour?

bubbles said...

How many *actual* wranglers have you seen in the last hour?

I still vote Florida, tho.

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Florida, but I'd still venture to say Texas probably wins that contest. Have you ever been on a plane that crosses over the Texas state line, and have every asshole from Texas on that plane stand up and start singing "The Yellow Rose of Texas?"

Cup said...

My vote goes to Florida.

I hate Florida.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I've never been to Texas, but I have certainly been bludgeoned to death with Floridisms whilst in the Disney state.

BeckEye said...

You'll have to start singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" like Pee Wee Herman and see if everyone sings along.

By the way, I thought I should let you know that I checked my StatCounter today and apparently someone found my page by searching for "bouncing bubs videos." I swear I don't have any, but perhaps you should start posting some since they're in demand.

lauralu said...

I gotta go with Texas Bubs. Let me know if you change your mind after you spend some time there. Laura.

SkylersDad said...

On a side note, have you noticed the singular is Y'all and the plural is All Y'all?

Mob said...

I'm writing this post from Florida, where we've been for the past week, and I'd say they win.

I've also noticed a lot of signs featuring a series of red and white umbrellas that are creepily reminiscent of the Umbrella Corporation logos in Resident Evil, which is really unsettling.

I'll be happy to be back in Texas soon.

Cap'n Ergo "XL+II" Jinglebollocks said...

::sigh:: I miss FLA...

Fran said...

Florida. Texas is bigger and it kind of dilutes the themey-ness of it.

At least that is what I think.

For many years I worked for a company that had a big FL operation and I was there all the freaking time.

Once I added up all the days- well approximately, I am not THAT lame, the days I spent in FL over my 20 years of employment.

Well WTF if I had not spent 2 1/2 years in FL!

Bug O' Death said...

I grew up in Georgia and spent a lot of time in FL... amazing how many crappy themed things you can buy there...

When I first moved to CO 15 years ago, all of my students kept asking me if I was from TX... I quickly lost me accent b/c I HATE TX, and if your from GA you don't want people to think your from TX.

justacoolcat said...

Texas. It's marketing creeps into the cracks between the floorboards and seeps into dreams. With every glance it's exalted in giant print on billboards,sidewalk murals, and cracked paint roadside diners. Texas.