I feel that there is a change in Fort Worth's citizens from what was that of 20 years or so ago. In the better days you seldow saw piercied body parts and tattoos and fewer males with facial hair. Most people would always wear a smile and speek to strangers like they would friends. When you passed someone there was usually an exchange of kindly words and if you saw a piece of paper or trash on the ground you would pick it up. Neighbors knew each other and often spoke and shared gosip. Most people respected religion and would honor discussions and debates on politics. It seemed people were more focused on the good and health of society in geneal. Today people seem to want personal recognition and to be noticed by others by way of their dressing, hairdos, arm bracelets, jewelery, hats, bumper stickers, and facebook broadcasts. Being retired, I don't get out as much as when working but this past week I had to go to the Apple store on University to get a cell phone speaker replaced and I was shocked by the Apple staff. The wild hairdoos, and colors, piercing, and wearing shorts while on the job. Friday I went through Central Market and the weirdos were wall to wall.
Used to, people worked for a living and you wouldn't see the fruit cases until after hours or weekends but now they roam the city all day. What do these people do for a living? We used to never hear of black and whites dating (much less marrying) and if there were gays or lesbians around, you didnt talk about it but now it seems an "honor" or bragging point to be one and need for celebration if two of these decide to get married.
Is Fort Worth getting more "hip" or more "liberal"?
I don't want to enter this particular debate (especially your points at the end) because I don't think that's the point of this forum, but I think the openess and friendlieness you see as diminishing is still there. It just shows up a little differently now in the form of acceptance of different appearances and lifestyles. It's hard to talk while you're texting. I'm the most boring guy in the world. Middle class, middle age, white, male, no tattoos, no piercings, I shop at the GAP, drive a suburban, have 2.3 kids and two dogs, etc. Hell, today, like almost every other day I'm wearing khaki dress pants and a white button down dress shirt. I'm as interesting as unsalted mashed potatoes. And one of the things I've always loved about Fort Worth is that with few exceptions I can walk into any bar, club or restaurant dressed like I am right now and not feel out of place. I don't get too worried about what kind of shoes I'm wearing, or if I've got enough gel in my hair, or who might see me. I can just go out and be me and it's fine because Fort Worth doesn't care. I also think it's great that the same would be true if I was a 22 year-old gay man who wore skinny jeans, a retro sex pistols t-shirt and crazy hair.
I don't think Fort Worth is changing. I just think Fort Worth is open and friendly enough that the people who have always been there feel comfortable enough to be who they are without being judged for it. Good for Fort Worth.
I also don't think today's fashions are really any weirder than bell bottoms, leg warmers, saggy jeans, tie dye, zipper jackets, giant shoulder pads, parachute pants, stone washed jeans, afros, perms, flock of seagulls hair, crimped hair, head bands, Willie Nelson hair, mohawks, pinky rings, bangles, twist beads, square ties, wide ties, three-piece suits, poodle skirts, bomber jackets, corduroy sports coats with elbow patches, dark eye shadow, too much rouge, giant hoop ear rings, suits with t-shirts, leather pants, members only jackets, rugby shirts, pink reebok hightops, keds, penny loafers, top-siders, plaid shorts, layered pastel polos, and on and on and on. It's just fashion. Even the crazy piercings, which I don't understand, but I don't care much either. If the guy inside is ok, then it's ok with me.
I guess I did want to debate it.