Things a cowboy should never do…

It’s that time of year again – Stampede, the rodeo, the chucks and all things cowboy.  Just for a change instead of Calgarians heading out somewhere exotic, strangers from distant lands are coming here – thinking that we look exotic.  And for the most part we do…..

It’s a big thrill for visitors from all over the world to come to see the rodeo and it is a bit like us travelling all the way to Germany for Oktoberfest or England for the annual cheese rolling competition.  The locals think that is just part of the calendar while we, the visitors, are in awe of these foreign activities.

Cowboy culture is such a big part of Calgary life that we don’t really think about it much.  You just have to drive a few kms out of the city and you find yourself in small towns where people really do wear cowboy boots and hats all year round.  They don’t have to dust off their boots and hats – they probably have to shake off the manure – but it is an everyday thing. Cowboys are real here – not just at Stampede but all through the year.

So for those real cowboys out there – what are the rules?  And what are the things that a cowboy should never do.  I found a few (on yourdictionary.com – what do you think?

Things a Cowboy Should Not Do

Here are some words to live by according to cowboys. Some are really good advice and all are funny cowboy sayings.

• Don’t squat with your spurs on.
  
  
• Don’t let your yearnings get ahead of your earnings.
  
  
• Don’t dig for water under the outhouse.
  
  
• Don’t go in if you don’t know the way out.
  
  
• Don’t mess with something that ain’t bothering you.
  
  
• Never drive black cattle in the dark.
  
  
• Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
  
  
• Never miss a good chance to shut up.
  
  
• Never ask how stupid someone is ’cause they’ll turn around and show you.
  
  
• Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
  
  
• Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.

Everyone has a favourite cowboy – growing up in the UK it was a treat on Sunday afternoons to watch old films on the TV and John Wayne was the ultimate cowboy hero. But is this another thing that a cowboy should never do????