From my peripheral knowledge of Texas Ladies, I'd say the Ed Hardy hats would serve on a girlfriends' outing to the beach or the spa or even to the Galleria, perky/shiny blonde pony tails threaded through the elasticized strap. There's a glamorous-women's-uproarous-gathering culture, particularly in Dallas and Houston, for women of a certain age and income. Who are also echt Galleria shoppers. NO “love kills slowly” with your husband — visible affection and spirited deference trumps the ironic, if you're a Wise Texas Wife.

Dallas has the big-urban advantages, and the edgier niche cultures, because it's big-urban and, in pockets, rich. And both Dallas and Houston are, as John notes, becoming more interesting. Official Weird Austin is a big bore, much of the film culture seems to be geared to an ageing dark-and-quirky sensibility. It is possible to live completely free of elevator music here, so I can't address the Brazilian innovation.

You're right on target on one particular. The Krogers (for us, Randalls), the hereditary local garden supply, office supply, never heard of experience marketing. Customer comments or requests are met with
"We don't do that;"
"You want WHAT?"
or "Really? Next…"

Don't know if that's common in Dallas too.

/s/ Your mossy local CenTX informant, Dilys