One of the things I like most about Texas so far is the level of respect with which the majority of people address each other. Everywhere we go, people say “Yes ma’am,” “No ma’am,” “Thank you ma’am.” Doesn’t matter what age the person is.

At daughter’s soccer practice the first week we were moved here, I was surprised to hear her team members respond to the coach with a “Yes sir” or “No sir” when he asked them questions. It was the same with the moving company. Each time the workers asked for direction on where to put something or I asked them a question, they would respond with a “Yes ma’am” or “No ma’am” or “Thank you ma’am.” Every single time!

That’s just not the way it happens in Wisconsin or the Midwest in general. Don’t get me wrong. People are polite; they have manners and understand proper etiquette. But “ma’am” and “sir” just aren’t part of the regional vernacular like they are here.

And I’ll admit it, in Wisconsin, I didn’t like getting called ma’am. It made me feel old. But not in Texas. Here, I don’t mind it so much. It’s kind of nice, actually. Everyone always seems to be in a good mood, and that rubs off on me.

Thanks Texans, for making me feel comfortable in my new home state.