If you’ve spent any real time in the Lone Star State, you know that pride runs deep—but so do the gripes. In fact, you’re not really from Texas unless you’ve caught yourself venting about some of these universal frustrations. Here are ten things Texans love to complain about—because if you don’t, are you really even Texan?
1. Scorching, Never-Ending Summers
Texans have a talent for enduring heat, but that doesn’t stop them from complaining about it. With summer temperatures often hovering above 100°F, the relentless sun is everyone’s favorite (and most justified) punching bag. “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” is practically a statewide catchphrase.
2. Traffic and Roadwork Nightmares
Whether you’re dodging potholes, navigating “never-finished” road construction, or stuck in one of Austin or Houston’s famous traffic jams, every Texan has a road rage story. Congestion on I-35 and maddening detours are just a fact of life—so is complaining about them.
3. The State’s Sheer Immensity
Texas is bigger than many countries, and driving across it can feel like a minor odyssey. The vast distances between cities—and even suburbs—turn what should be a short trip into a full-day affair. Sprawling size means “just around the corner” is never really true.
4. Allergens and Biting Bugs
Seasonal allergies are their own Texan rite of passage. Cedar fever, pollen surges, and infamous clouds of mosquitoes and fire ants make being outside an itchy challenge. Texans loathe the bugs almost as much as the allergies they trigger.
5. Unpredictable, Extreme Weather
Tornadoes, hail, hurricanes, droughts, and surprise ice storms—if it’s wild, Texas has it. The weather forecast can change every hour, prompting plenty of frustrated remarks about “Texas weather” alongside storm prep every spring and summer.
6. Power Grid Woes
Ever since the 2021 winter blackout, Texans have watched their power grid with suspicion. Everyone remembers the “rolling blackouts,” power outages, and sky-high utility bills—complaining about ERCOT is practically a competitive sport.
7. Rising Housing Costs
The Texas dream used to be about affordable homes with sprawling yards. Not anymore: in cities like Austin and Dallas, real estate prices and rents are skyrocketing. Longtime residents grumble about being priced out, even as shiny new condos keep rising.
8. Fluctuating, Fierce Politics
In Texas, political debates aren’t just fierce—they’re a blood sport. From controversial laws to fiery election seasons, there’s no shortage of political grumbling, whether it’s about taxes, education, or government gridlock.
9. The “Invasion” of Non-Texans
With booming tech and business growth, newcomers keep flocking in—and locals often blame them for crowding the roads, raising prices, or not knowing how to order BBQ “the right way.” Complaints about Californians and outsiders are a reliable conversation starter.
10. Sports Heartbreaks
Few states ride the emotional roller coaster of sports like Texas. Whether it’s the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff woes or another postseason heartbreak for the Astros or Rangers, sports-induced complaining is practically a social event every season.
From sky-high temperatures to roadwork, rising rent to power grid paranoia, it’s these uniquely Texan complaints that unite folks from Amarillo to Brownsville—and mark you as a true local when you join in the chorus. Next time you catch yourself lamenting cedar season or bumper-to-bumper traffic, just remember: in Texas, a little complaining is tradition.
Sources
[1] https://kfmx.com/these-are-the-biggest-complaints-texans-have-about-life-in-the-lone-star-state/
[2] https://knue.com/negatives-about-texas/
[3] https://housely.com/things-texans-cant-stop-complaining-about/
[4] https://www.wideopencountry.com/things-texans-hate/
[5] https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-residents-are-among-the-nations-biggest-complainers-study-finds-34847553
