Traffic

So I am sitting in traffic awaiting my up coming exit when the thought occurs to me, "Why is it even in heavy traffic in this city I never feel stressed?" The answer, "NO HONKING!" I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard drivers beep their horns since we've moved here. It's not that people don't drive recklessly here, believe me they do! In fact it is one of the number one complaints made by visitors even on city websites. However people are not quick to beep their horn in an aggressive manner. In fact they will often go out of their way to let you in when traffic is backed up. Road construction here is just like the rest of the country, always happening, and slow in progression. But when traffic is backed up you kick back listen to the sounds of beautiful Ranchero music playing in the local vehicles and drink up some sunshine. It seems the mentality is, why waste the day away getting stressed....

Fair t' Middlin'

El Paso Dictionary Continued:
"Fair to Midland"- This phrase is used in response when people ask, "how are you?" I have heard this term used several times in the work setting and finally had to ask what it meant. It means "Not Bad". Basically it comes from the agricultural days in describing the grades of cotton and other goods. The correct use of the term is "Fair to Middling". However with a southern drawal it becomes "Fair t' Middlin'" and here in El Paso where a city near by is called Midland they play on words saying, "Fair to Midland". So next time you are looking for a creative way to respond try it out.