Old Gringo “Julie” Boots
I went a little country the other night (and….I liked it)!
All these years I’ve spent on this planet, I have never gone to a Country Bar! I don’t even know of any back on the East coast. So, the other night I pulled on my new Old Gringo Cowboy boots and high-tailed it to Montana’s in San Dimas, CA.
I have to be honest – I really liked it! The feel of the joint, the music, and how nice the people were left me feeling good, and I wanted to “boot scoot” in the near future. I was amazed by the dynamic in the place. It was jammed packed with people of all ages dressed in costume (it was a Halloween themed night). I talked with many people about country bar customs, and here’s what I learned:
- Keep an open mind!
- Take basic line dancing lessons.
- Have fun!
- Don’t be surprised when strangers ask you to dance (and don’t be surprised when strangers ask your significant other to dance)!
I totally get 1-3; however, number 4 took me by surprise! It is true, when you go to a country bar strangers will approach you and ask you to dance. That doesn’t mean they want anything more than that. It just means they want to dance on the floor and no place else. I was surprised by this (reflecting back to the bars I have been to). The “country boys” are gentlemen regarding dancing, and even if you are with your significant other, they will ask your significant other if they can dance with you. They’re either really nice or they have taken shadiness to a whole other level.
I explained this to several people who have never been to a country bar and of course they reacted as expected. They thought it was crazy (and I agree with them – to a point). You have to be there to see it for yourself and quite honestly, it’s pretty innocent. No, I’m not naïve (I’m a New York girl and I know there are people out there who want to dance in other places than the dance floor)!
So, let’s talk fashion! My costume was New York girl gone Cowgirl! The typical country bar fashion is of course cowboy (girl) boots, jeans, shorts, a plaid shirt, cute ruffle shirt, t-shirt, and a cowboy hat! It seems basic, but basic can always cross over to bodacious (very quickly)!
Combine that with alcohol and country western music, and I hear a Carrie Underwood song coming on!
Halloween Night at Montana’s
do-si-do
xo, jo
