This is an interesting question. I am going to narrow that lens down to just Texas since I can speak more truthfully and openly.
Some of the more obvious mistakes people make when they visit down here include staying in the metropolitan and touristy areas, not listening to the locals wen it comes to food and having a false sense of how it truly is down here day to day.
When you travel to a new place, I completely understand being drawn to certain highly populated areas. These areas like Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, even Fort Worth tend to have quite a bit of stuff to do in a shorter distance. However, I would highly recommend renting a car or knowing somebody who can take you to those smaller communities and towns that each have their own charm and hidden gems that you would not have known otherwise. You get a better sense of what it means to be Texan this way and the nature views are better the farther you get away from the city. Just be prepared to be in the car for hours on end lol. It is worth it though, trust me!
Second, is the food! Arguably the most important aspect when traveling in the south lol There are great places to eat that have become quite famous, particularly in the city limits. While I will never undermine great southern cooking anywhere, I have noticed the more hole-in-the-wall the place looks, the better the dining experience typically is overall. These smaller and more intimate places are typically family owned (or started that way), have better food for the price, and have a better atmosphere. You may even have a chance to have a conversation with the owners themselves and learn their own story. Again, I recommend broadening your travel itinerary to the outskirts and boonies if you can.
The last thing I would like to mention is our rather famous Texas ‘pride’ if you will. I personally hate the word pride with anything positive since it gives a bad connotation in my mind, but that is what it is called so that is what I will use. We are proud of our rights here and the way of life down here. If it makes you uncomfortable knowing that millions of people have guns, have traditional values and praise God openly and confidently, this may not be the place for you. If you want to come down here and make people feel some sort of way for acting out their God given rights, this is definitely not the place for you. Or at least, stick to the more left leaning parts, that do not really show the true heart of Texas in my opinion. Now, that being said, there are great and bad people everywhere. I have seen my fair share all over Texas personally. However, I will be the first one to say that the majority of the people you meet here will be glad to talk to you about this state and the US in general. Basically, if you show respect, you will get respect back. Just be a decent human being as everybody should, and you will have a good time 🙂
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