What is a cowboy?
lost cowboy — Fri, 2010-03-12 19:15
I spent my 20's riding a horse and a snowmobile for a living in CO and WY. I moved back to where I grew up in PA around 30. I had a hard time fittin in anywhere back east, even when I'd find a decent place to go 2 steppin. The 'cowboys' in the bars wouldn't accept me into there ring, even though I probably paid more dues then them. Anyway...long story short, I sat down and wrote this one night:
So what is a cowboy?
This is a question that a lot of people think they know the answer to, may even think they are, but still don't have a clue. Maybe I really don t know myself, but I am going to offer my opinion, and you can offer yours back if you'd like to.
What is a cowboy?
I've heard it said that clothes make the man. So does this mean if I buy a cowboy hat and wear it, suddenly, *poof*, I AM COWBOY. If that were the case, every tank top, shorts, dark socks wearing tourist, visiting the west, could ride of into the sunset and save the day.
Now don't get me wrong. Everyone has their heroes or the kinds of people they wanted to be when they grow up or admired. I used to play cowboys and indians as a kid. I would get off my point if I followed that particular tangent.
So let's say you throw in a huge belt buckle, (one big enough to cook a roast) some boots, (Justin lace ups ) Wranglers, and a snap up shirt. Is it a cowboy yet? Does wearing a dress make a man a woman? Don't think so. There is nothing wrong with dressing in a western style either. I am not out to criticize the world and its fashion. This writing is attempting to come up with a definition of 'What is a cowboy'.
So let's see. In this case clothes really don't make the man. So then, what is it?
How about his horse? Or we could go the next step and throw in a bull or two. I love rodeos. I admire the guys that get up there and do their thing. God knows I've been on a rank horse or two and been tossed on my head a few times. Did that make me a cowboy or anyone else for that matter tossed off any animal? No. Bull riders have some pretty big cahoonas, but that doesn't make them a cowboy.
So let's review for a sec. Clothes, animals and your activities with them, aren't the reason someone is a cowboy. So what is?
Let's throw a few words out first. Heart, honor, integrity. This is a start.
When a cowboy gives his word, it's gold, sealed in stone, take it to the bank or what ever cliché you like. He keeps it, hell or high water.
He stands up for what is right, not always what is popular.
He is always a gentleman, in his own way, but in one that is recognized.
He is patriotic and always removes his hat when the national anthem is played.
He sticks up for his own.
He has a cowboy up attitude.
Cowboys aren't conceited. Cocky,?.. Yes. Sometimes even drunk enough to try and rope the moon.
Cowboys never grow up. Think Peter Pan in spurs.
They aren't happy to sit on the fence and watch. They need to 'ride'.
He's an immoveable strength until the right woman comes along.
He can make do.
This is just a start, but I think you get the idea. The cowboy thing, it's on the inside. There's so much more than what I have listed here.
The hat's just like a type of armor or a badge of paid dues. I admire cowboys. Even been accused a time or two of being one.
If I ever grow up.......
It's what I want to be.
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This is some stuff that I'm
Flunky — Wed, 2010-04-28 13:57This is some stuff that I'm kinda sensible about.
I don't know much of anything, but I do know that you can't be what you're not, regardless of any appearances.
I don't have much, nothing that may be considered high end, but I am no victim, I do so by choice and I'm glad about that.
I wear a cheap MHT, why? Because it gets stained, dirty, messed up, and I ain't gonna pay $150 for a new hat every so often. Jeans? I got whatever I find on sale. Wranglers and Levis break just the same, they wear out between the legs real quick, they get stained and messed up. Not trying to impress anybody so I couldn't care less. Sure bothers me sometimes, I admit, but it don't take too long to remember I ain't robbing nobody and I have no need to explain myself to others.
Boots? Spend a day wearing those pointy boots and doing stuff outside, then we'll talk.
I don't give a damn if people think I'm a hobo, I am not, I know it, and that's all that counts. What people think of me is irrelevant, and I ain't gonna live my life trying to please society.
This is about doing the job, but also about who you are and what you stand for. I know what's right, what's wrong, and I know how to draw a line. I know first hand what happens when you compromise what you believe in, I know it takes a very long time to undo what you did in 2 seconds. I learned not to cross that line, regardless of anything, no matter what.
I ain't got no nice anything, sometimes I let that bother me, but life ain't about what you got but what you leave behind, it's about leaving a mark, and example.
All I got is mine or have earned. I don't ask for favors, I don't ask for anything. I know how to do without, I know life ain't no pretty ride. I learned to appreciate the little things and what we have been given by the Lord, and I learned to respect nature because if you mess with it, believe me, you will not win that battle.
This is about integrity, ethics, being true to yourself. Once you live this way, you'll always be a cowboy, it don't matter much if you get yourself some degree after that and end up working at some firm. Everytime you look in the mirror, you'll see a person who knows the difference between crap and what matters in life, and that's what counts.
If you think you can go buy a little hat and ride a mechanical bull at the bar and then be a cowboy, you got a wrong picture. It ain't about how tough you appear to be or the price of the hat you wear. I can say this, I can dress in blue and that won't make me a cop, I can wear a lab coat and that won't make me a doctor. So, is the cowboy life so damn stupid that all it takes is a hat for any fool to go live it?
Cowboys
cowboycop3447 — Sun, 2010-03-28 21:34I think this was a great article! I believe that being a cowboy is defined by your character and not so much by how you dress, where you live or where you were born. I think there's some cowboy in all of us.
This topic has been discussed
nighthawksh — Wed, 2010-03-17 07:29This topic has been discussed over and over again with no final answer. Like many things, it is a matter of opinion.
One thing we must not get confused is the fact that any "code" is probably wishful thinking. Cowboys, like everyone else come in all colors, shapes, and moral convictions. Some are hard working, honest folks, while there are others that are not, but only do what is necessary to get by. Some do it for the love of the job, while others do it because they can't find anything else. Some live the life for their entire life, while for others it may be only a summer or two.
I have no idea how many actual "cowboys" (or ranch hands) there are out here, but I would wager they are just as varied as any other profession here in the good old USA.
It is a nice, romantic dream to believe cowboys are the modern day knights in shinning armour, but the truth could very well be far from that dream.
Please don'r get me wrong, I enjoy the dream and support the "code."
Cowboys
Cowgirl at heart — Sat, 2010-03-13 13:22All I have to say is Amen to your story! When I was down south in the Austin, Texas area I had new a few guys that felt they new what being a cowboy was all about. Sure, they were true to their word, gentlmen like, and even loved their moms and honored their country. Come to find out two of the guys I new were from New York City! So, I seemed to be way off the mark when I thought these guys were genuine. And, maybe they were. So, can anyone tell me what the true code to being a "real cowboy" is?
"...tell me what the true code to being a 'real cowboy' is?"
lsucoon — Wed, 2010-03-17 07:17my dad would say hard work, and I agree, not to mention, working cattle...like anything else, you don't have to shout it if you're living it.
Code
Cowgirl at heart — Wed, 2010-03-17 09:02Amen to that! I don't believe you have to shout or have it stamped on your forehead. I have always admired the guys that work their back sides off, love and hate what they do from time to time and wouldn't give it up for the world. They have always had my back and are the most honest guys I have ever known.
My hat off to all the cowboys out there!