Moving to north Texas on my own soon from Ireland

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Chief_Taquero@reddit

Just be adviced that the weather is either really hot or really cold

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

What

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ListenToRush@reddit

I think it is curious for an Irish person to go to the US to participate in the corn harvest, and people are wondering why you are doing this

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Masty1992@reddit

Haha yes very interesting given the USA are the corn people and we barely have any in Ireland

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Shooppow@reddit

You won’t make it. Between the heat and humidity, you’re going to end up in the hospital with heat stroke. You’re not used to it. Even those of us who grew up in that place can barely make it.

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it is brutal work for limited money, and unless you are wwoofing or something there are better ways to spend your time even in the ag sector. Hell, wine harvests in oregon happen around the same time.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

No

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shitlord_god@reddit

go find some youtube videos, and seriously - consider the oregon grape harvest, and other fruit harvests, less likely overall to wind up semi-isolated amongst your co-workers due to a language gap (Might not be one? but odds get wacky depending on where you are and which language(s) you know)

Lots of plants are easier/more fun to harvest than corn, and most are less likely to leave you bleeding.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

The corn harvest I’m talking about is with fancy new machinery with air con. (Claas 990)

I think you’re misunderstood about the work I’m doing

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Any-Vermicelli3537@reddit

People are probably misunderstanding b/c you never bothered to explain what you’ll be doing or for how long or for what purpose. I just scanned the comments and couldn’t find anything informative (“driving X machine” is not informative). It’s as if you’re being delivery obtuse.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

You must have a lot of time in your hands to comment something so irrelevant

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Any-Vermicelli3537@reddit

It’s true. All I have in my life is driving a harvest machine in North Texas.

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lakehop@reddit

Wear a hat all the time, wear sunscreen, and drink more water than you feel is possible - have a water bottle with you all the time and take a sip every 30 minutes. The heat is something else and you can get very sick if you don’t shade your head and keep hydrated. Good luck!

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CoffeeCheeseYoga@reddit

Yes, I think this is a genuine question not meant to be snarky. At least that's how I feel, I'm honestly curious why? Do you mean you are going to north texas to work the harvest? This isn't something most Americans participate in or have any interest in. Are you WWOOFing? Where in north Texas exactly are you going to be? Texas is huge and may feel rather desolate/isolated without access to a car.

I am an ex-Texas resident, for the record

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Shooppow@reddit

Having lived near there (I was in the piney woods) I second this sentiment. That area of the world just sucks! I couldn’t wait to get away! It took me several tries, but I’m finally permanently gone. I would never willingly move back! The weather, the people, the drivers/cars, the ugly red clay soil, the political sentiments… It all just blows!

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LookingforDay@reddit

I lived in that regional area (except no woods) and can confirm it sucks and it’s nearly impossible to escape for some reason.

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Livid_Importance_453@reddit

North Texas summer isn't a gentle welcome. borderpilot can help sanity-check the visa and practical bits first.

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Bullox69@reddit

What is Woofing?

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Nyetoner@reddit

www.wwoof.net www.workaway.com

These two are websites you can search through to find voluntary work. Wwoof is for organic farming and similar, while Workaway could be anything. You work about 20h a week for a free bed, food and maybe transport on location. Mostly it's a cultural exchange, or learning experience and for many it's an "almost free vacation in an interesting place".

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JurgusRudkus@reddit

Is North Texas an interesting place?

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Kiwiatx@reddit

LOL no.

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Bullox69@reddit

Thanks for the info@

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gremlinguy@reddit

Well, you're lucky in that Americans generally love the Irish, and your accent alone is going to ensure that you always have a steady stream of people interested in talking with you.

Be prepared to experience extremes. Both poverty and wealth more extreme than you'd have thought. Be prepared for vast spaces that require a car to traverse. Be ready for heat. Be ready to see guns as a casual accessory.

I don't think you'll need to cope, only being there a short time (just harvest season?) You'll be there long enough to get over the initial culture shock and hopefully meet some good people and see the sights. "The sights" will likely be a bonfire in someone's backyard or some heavily modified trucks hauling ass on the interstate, but just maintain an open mind, have no fear, and you'll be fine.

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Electronic-Call-4319@reddit

You think Ireland doesn't have extremes?

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RIPmyfirstaccount@reddit

Not like Texas, not at all.

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ThisIsSoDamaris@reddit

Texas is a particular hell.

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bottlechippedteeth@reddit

unless theyre irish with black skin

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Evening-Ad5765@reddit

It’s more of a you issue. Americans, especially Texans, are the friendliest bunch of folks on the planet.

But if you decide to cop an attitude expect to get attitude back. A lot of Canadians and Europeans are absolutely terrible for thinking they’re better than Americans and acting like it.

You aren’t better. Get over yourself and you’ll have a good time. The fact you’re asking this question says more about you than about Texans.

If you go with the attitude that folks might have a different perspective on things than you and it’s equally valid you’ll do fine. Especially if you pair that with being genuinely curious about other people and without judgement.

I’ve travelled extensively and have found if I go in with some enthusiasm and curiosity and leave the judgement at home I tend to have a great time wherever I go.

You’ll have as good a time as you’ll let yourself.

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colorfort@reddit

This is the proper attitude. Love all the world and it will love you back.

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Masty1992@reddit

This guy sounds incredibly obnoxious so hard disagree

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colorfort@reddit

Nah he’s just saying people are people wherever they are. If you come in with a bad attitude expect to receive the same. Your phone and TV are not the best educators, experience is.

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Evening-Ad5765@reddit

You said it better. Agree.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

I don’t think I’d have an attitude I think I just get really nervous meeting new people and then I think they hate me because I acted so nervous and wasn’t able to be myself. So yea I think it is a me problem. It’s just hard to overcome

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Evening-Ad5765@reddit

I’m shy too. With a side of anxiety. Talking to people makes me uncomfortable.

Just force yourself to say hello and then start asking questions. That gets other people talking way more than you. And people enjoy being asked questions and getting to talk. Just get good at asking interesting questions that show you want to know more about them, what they do, where they live in a way that shows you’re genuinely interested.

People think I’m outgoing and extroverted. I’m not. I just ask a lot of questions and then I say yes whenever people ask me to join something. Even when I don’t want to say yes. Because honestly I’d rather stay home and be by myself if given the choice. But I’d never do anything interesting if I chose what makes me comfortable.

That yes man movie is actually a great philosophy for living. That’s where I stole it from. Though it’s also gotten me into questionable situations like touring a cocaine factory in the jungles of Columbia near san Augustin.

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Fluffy_Fun_9814@reddit

Good luck. There's not much in north Texas. It was hell and boring just to drive through. I hope you get to your next destination quickly.

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Dog-Chick@reddit

Sunscreen and hats

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Last_Amphibian6067@reddit

Tax@ss is the vortex of hell, and the residence are all as you would expect.

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heathers1@reddit

Why not an East Coast beach town instead?

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bottlechippedteeth@reddit

is this part of a prison sentence?

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zoidberg3000@reddit

I’ve worked with a lot of seasonal Irish people in the summertime during college when I went to UC Santa Barbara. They all worked in cafes or pizza places or other food service jobs. Why don’t you do something like that?

Not only is the weather going to be extremely shocking, but you’ve picked one of the most undesirable places and undesirable jobs. It’s a very racist and backwards area. Like these schools have stopped looking into blatant hate crimes since the new regime has taken over because they know they are protected. You’ll probably be fine because you’re white, assuming you are, but it’s a shock for sure.

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JolyonWagg99@reddit

Congratulations. You’re gonna hate it.

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VulcanHumour@reddit

Hi, I'm an American immigrant living in Ireland, and I've brought my Irish in-laws to meet my north Texan relatives many times. Some of the culture shock they've experienced:

Huge gap between rich and poor. My Texan relatives live in a rich gated community, right across the street is an impoverished neighborhood where half the houses look dilapidated. They not only find this very normal, but will often make classist or racist remarks about the people from the poorer neighborhoods.

Casual racism. Not like people openly dropping the N word, but stuff like "don't walk through that neighborhood at night, a lot of Mexicans live there," and "I like so-and-sos new boyfriend, even though he is black."

Religion is a lot more aggressive. No lie, every time I've visited Texas, some rando would try converting me. Waiting outside the library, having a drink at a hotel bar, an Uber driver, etc. And I go to Texas a lot.

Trump supporters. My aunt used to be a Republican until 2016, she stopped supporting them when Trump was picked as the nominee. My aunt also works in local politics and has a law degree, she had a load of friends drop her and literally accuse her of being a communist.

My Irish in-laws told me they were surprised at how ignorant Texans are of countries outside of the US, people made a lot of ignorant comments to them. I'd say take it with a grain of salt, a lot of those comments are not coming from a hateful place they just genuinely don't know. And it's probably for the best that you avoid talking about religion and politics

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Zealousideal_Rub6758@reddit

Why not Australia? Wages are better at least.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

I’m just travelling trying to see as many places I can. Definitely New Zealand is on my bucket list

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Upstairs_Fuel6349@reddit

Are you comfortable working outdoors in high humidity with possibly 30C + temps and no shade? If you enjoy perpetually feeling like you've just gotten out of the shower but not toweled off yet...lol.

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ibitmylip@reddit

Interesting! What type of work will you be doing?

The heat can be deadly, make sure to drink more water than you think may be necessary.

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

Driving a claas 990 silage harvester picking up the corn/silage

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Apprehensive_Home_40@reddit (OP)

It has air con so it’s not too bad

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niccig@reddit

Former Texan here - if you fit the "pale Irish person" stereotype (or even if you don't), PLEASE slather yourself in sunscreen every couple hours. Fun fact - UV rays can penetrate clothing that doesn't have a UPC rating and give you a nasty sunburn. Ask me how I know 💀

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Few_Interaction_2411@reddit

How easy was it to get a visa, my teen is obsessed with moving to Texas when he’s 18 ! we just need to figure out a career that will get him a visa to move there !

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Zealousideal_Rub6758@reddit

If you’re Aussie (I think you are), we (and the Italians I think?) have access to the E3 visa which basically means we can move for any job that requires a degree.

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Zealousideal_Rub6758@reddit

If you’re literally working as a farm worker doubt you’ll be working with many Irish… farm workers in Ireland are mostly eastern euros.

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SmartAfternoon199@reddit

I salute you on the move! I'm Irish and living in the US the past nine years. Please have no fear as Americans are very friendly, I've genuinely no real experience to report. I'd say be yourself and be respectful. If you don't settle that's ok, home will always be there and you gave it a shot. Wish you the very best of luck with it.

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Illustrious-Bowl6844@reddit

I have it hard to believe! Irish folks are one of the nicest Ive met ever! you will be fine!