If you ask, I’d bet every American believes they’re the real deal–100% red, white, and blue. Unfortunately, some media outlets highlight divisions, making us question what’s true. Travelers remind us one cure for confusion is visiting new places and welcoming tourists to our state. While regional and cultural differences exist, they offer educational opportunities for visitors and locals. It’s best to keep a straight face when strangers ask about something natives consider obvious. Their mistake is probably sincere. I hope they do the same to correct other’s confusion without embarrassing them.
A friend who manages a rural clothing and collectible store has occasion to enlighten urban travelers stopping to shop. Many vacationing city dwellers end up in her locale which is populated by boot and cowboy hat wearing citizenry. Outside town limits, deer and antelope defy fences to join domestic cows and horses in the munching and digestion of native grasses or hay. Viewing western fashion and wild critters eating alongside domestic herds seems perfectly normal to this entrepreneur and her fellow residents. However, chats with out-of-state customers informed this woman that some see her world as unusual or exotic.
Several times during tourist season, folks stopping through inquire, “What’s going on in town today?” Typically, she hands them a visitor guide and encourages them to explore area museums and nature sites. Eventually, one visitor was more direct and added, “No, why are so many people dressed up like cowboys?”
She peered out the door to note locals dining at the hometown restaurant? “Like those guys?” she asked.
“Yea. Are they dressed for a special event?”
Striving to promote her town, she considered her response. “No, that’s how many people who live here dress. It’s lunch hour.”
Clearly, this confused someone used to urban professional attire. In their experience, business people don’t wear western shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots to the office. As a counter point, those accustomed to rural dress codes would be curious about someone showing up on the job wearing an Armani suit or Manolo heels. It’s not what we’re used to.
Later that summer, more out-of-staters paused to shop and inquire about the area. This approachable woman encourages customers to chat. Before long, someone mentioned farms and ranches they’d passed on their cross-country journey. They wondered how farmers and ranchers managed raising cattle or horses as well as the deer and antelope grazing alongside livestock. Keep in mind, these weren’t high-fenced game farms. These were standard agricultural operations.
A quick glance told my friend the misconception was genuine. She explained only the cows and horses were domestic. Deer and antelope are wild and leap over or crawl under fences anytime they wanted.
She shared these insights with me during a discussion about differences between American regions and how that affects what people know. Though citizens share a common government, it’s clear we don’t necessarily understand one another’s lifestyles. Anyone can take a lesson from this kind woman and make time to clarify misunderstandings. We’d all get along better.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.