photo courtesy of mulmatsherm
Texas is a friendly state.
For those of you who've never lived in Texas, Texans are a pretty helpful and friendly bunch. We've got strong opinions about a lot of things, but it still amazes me how many people say "hello" or stop to give you a hand (I grew up on the East Coast, where this Southern-hospitality type of stuff isn't as common, so pardon me for my amazement at people being good neighbors). I've had women follow my wife and I to our car to tell us where to buy a certain product for cheaper, a man stop to tell me the grill I was about to buy was an excellent choice, and my neighbors are some of the friendliest people I know (first house I've ever lived in that the neighbor popped round to give us a welcome to the "neighborhood" gift). I love Texas and I never knew just how great of a state it is until I lived here.
We have a lot of roads under construction here in San Antonio.
Anyone that lives here knows we love our roadworks. Its a constant thing here in San Antonio as they attempt to improve the quality of the roads and take into account our continued growth. Where there are roadworks, there are dangers. Holes, steel plates on the road, accidents, flying debris from various construction vehicles - it takes a toll on our cars and trucks. Sometimes, those things bring about the dreaded situation. Its rush hour and you're broke down in the middle of a highway. What's a commuter to do?
Enter Texas Roadside Assistance.
No matter what the emergency; flat tire, out of gas, stuck in the middle of the road - just whip out your driver's license. On the back (in very small print) is a magic number to help. Texas Roadside Assistance. Just call the number - (800) 525-5555 and help is on the way. They'll send a tow truck, a police man, whatever you need to help you out of the situation and keep traffic flowing. If you need a tow, you will pay for it, but not much comes for free these days. Its a great idea to keep motorists safe and traffic moving, but its a little know number here in Texas (in fact, emails have circulated around about it and most people write it off as urban legend or too good to be true (see Snopes.com for an example).
Thank you Texas.
Texas Roadside Assistance - (800) 525-555 (on the back of your driver's license just above the bar code)
All content ©2008-2010 by Matt Stigliano unless otherwise noted.
Matt Stigliano, Realtor® Becker Properties | (210) 646-HOME | www.RErockstar.com
"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."
YOU MIGHT BE IN TEXAS
If someone in Home Dept offers you assistance and
they don't work there, you might live in Texas.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you
might live in Texas.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with
a stranger who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Texas.
If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas
for the weekend, you might live in Texas.
If you measure distance in hours, you might live in Texas.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than
once, you might live in Texas.
If you install security lights on your house and garage,
but leave both unlocked, you might live in Texas.
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows
how to use them, you might live in Texas.
If the speed limit is 55 mph -- you're
going 80 and everybody's passing you, you might live in
Texas.
If you find 40 degrees 'a little chilly,' you might
live in Texas.
If you actually understand these jokes, you definitely live in Texas.
I think this is an excellent post about the friendly attitude and SERVICE. Shirley's comments are a nice touch too and in parts of West Texas the speed limit is actually 80!
Years ago I was driving to Midland with a friend from NYC. Almost every time a car passed going in the opposite direction, the driver would wave and I would wave back. My friend wanted to know if I knew all of these people...of course not, we are just friendly here!
Shirley - The Home Depot one has definitely happened to me.
Russell - That's a great example of Texas hospitality. It frightened me when I first got here. I thought I was being set up to be mugged or something (Philly style). Haha (Christopher and Stephanie Somers are going to kill me for that comment probably.)
Seems like there's something wrong with the ActiveRain notification of comments...you both commented early today and I still haven't received an email about it. Weird.
Matt, your post is excellent! I am a huge fan of providing local info. Since January I've been focusing many of my blog posts on local info about Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold and the other areas in NJ I specialize in. Buyers & sellers seem to really love read this kind of info. Great job.
Amber - Thanks. I've lived here for two years and just learned about this, so I wanted to share. I am definitely trying to do a bit more Localism-geared posts this year.