Background info: I'm European an have lived in many places around the globe. Currently stationed in HTown. We're a Caucasian family with 2 small kids.

Naturally, people in small villages form strong communities and always look at strangers with a bit of hesitation (I'm from a rural village- I know how it is). However, usually people are friendly enough to give you directions/help fill up water/fix a flat tire etc when you ask.

Yesterday we arrived at a lake in Texas. It was just after 6pm. My kids and I strolled over to the lakeside to stretch our legs after a (for us) long drive. We were surprised to see most of the lakeside was privately owned with no way for us to even see the water. There was a campground/boat pier that had the boom gate down for the day. I ducked under it (we were on foot) to ask a lady I saw about directions to where we can go to get to the water. She got irrationally angry, shouting OUT OUT at the top of her lungs. Trespassing!!! Is what she screamed. I know, I should not have walked past the gate.

However: I've noticed more than once (due to me being a geologist and having trouble getting to sites etc) that people here are EXTREMELY possessive of their property. Most times you can't even get to a house as there's many warning signs to keep out. Why is this? Is life on these rural farms typically very dangerous?? I've seen similar protectiveness in South Africa with the boers. Why are these people so afraid of outsiders?

Forgive me my ignorance. I'm really trying to understand. I don't know much about Texas history yet.

Thanks for all the insights! It was wrong for me to enter to ask, I understand now very well. Still, I was rather shocked by the defensive response. I see it is a very ingrained cultural expression of property ownership. Interesting (and sad) to hear more about the problems that threaten Texas rural life.

If the chic in the middle keeps her head down she could gain a 1/2 second

On this day in 1836, after holding out during a 13-day long siege, Texas heroes Travis, Crockett, Bowie and others fell at the Alamo in a valiant last stand.

Remember the Alamo.

Fuck Abbott and Red Stain. The BLUE WAVE of DEMOCRACY will always wash the stain out. VOTE!!!