Only true locals know these 27 unwritten rules of Austin

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2024

Only true locals know these 27 unwritten rules of Austin

Whether you’re a Capital City native or a relative newcomer, there are just some things every Austinite understands to be true.

We asked our readers to share Austin’s unwritten rules, from common city knowledge to relatable trends and local lingo.

You won’t find these rules in a handbook, but they are undoubtedly absorbed by the community — and if you’re not from Austin, some of these might be a little difficult to explain.

We’re kind to our neighbors

“Smile when you walk past someone.” —Annabel P.
“Hold the door for people, smile or wave when you pass someone by, and a ‘yes sir/ma’am’ never hurts.” —@sacheverellthestore
“All Austinites know to be kind to all animals.” —Zee Z.
“Always watch for 🏃🏻‍♀️ & 🚴.” —@raisingninjas
“In Barton Springs, geese always have the right of way.” —@ray.tangrui1992

Austinites do their part to keep the city beautiful by leaving it cleaner than they found it.

Keep Austin Beautiful

“Leave the greenbelt cleaner than you found it.” —@dazedd_
“Don’t forget your reusable bags at H-E-B.” —@waifu.rachel
“Do not ever litter anywhere.” —@livesinyogapants

The unspoken rule everyone knows

“If you say you’re bringing breakfast to the meeting without specifying what you’re bringing, you need to show up with either tacos or kolaches.” —@secretstevie
“We don’t move anywhere until we check out how good the nearest H‑E‑B is.” —@janeywarmbrod
“Expect weirdness and embrace it!” —@michems9677
“Queso is acceptable at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” —@jmarcoux
“If you go to De Nada Cantina, don’t drink more than two margaritas.” —@glcough
“If you live south of town lake and a friend moves to the domain, the days are numbered.” —@trentdollarhyde
“Work on the same side of the river that you live.” —@wutangfinancials

We’ve learned a thing or two from commuting

“No slow drivers in the far left lane!” —Emily A.
“Wave if someone lets you merge.” —@amillionofmax
“We don’t honk. A tiny horn tap if someone in front gets distracted when the light turns green. Maybe a brisk honk if you are getting lane drifted on the freeway… otherwise no honking.” —@tbaby71_1111

Shoppers at a vintage booth at the Front Market — Shopping at the Front Market is a great way to keep your dollars local.

We like it local

“Support your small businesses!” —@shop.revival.atx
“Throw a few dollars in the open suit case of the sidewalk musician.” —@miriamloganauthor
“Support local artists!❤️🙌 😍” —@mindbodyhenna

Austinites are built different

“Austin is a laid-back city so no dress codes.” —Jody W.
“Don’t complain about the heat. This is Texas and yes, Austin is hot. You are going to sweat, your hair is going to look like crap, and you may have to change clothes twice a day.” —@lonestarsuz
“It’s ok to wear flip flops to all restaurants.” —@bonniebrushwood

From your friendly neighborhood City Editors

“You can never go wrong with local music — sometimes the best way to hear a band for the first time is live in the Live Music Capital of the World.” —City Editor Figi
“Keep water shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, a quilt, and reusable grocery bags in the trunk of your car at all times.” —City Editor Morgan
“Subscribe to ATXtoday to stay in the loop of current happenings.” —SATXtoday City Editor Nicholas

What did we miss? If you know an unofficial rule that’s not on the list, let us know.

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Silver Alert issued for missing 73-year-old man in Austin

Published

6 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Silver Alert issued for missing 73-year-old man in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a Silver Alert for an elderly man who has been missing since Friday afternoon in Austin.

The Austin Police Department is looking for Charles Evans, a 73-year-old man diagnosed with a cognitive impairment. Evans was last seen at 5:37 p.m. on Jan. 9 in Austin.

Silver Alert issued for missing 73-year-old man in Austin

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Police describe him as a 6’3″ tall white male, weighing 225 pounds, has gray hair, hazel eyes, and who uses a walker.

Law enforcement officials believe his disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5000.

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Man arrested, charged for deadly shooting at downtown Austin hotel

Published

18 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested, charged for deadly shooting at downtown Austin hotel

article

AUSTIN, Texas – A 20-year-old was arrested and charged with murder for a deadly shooting at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Austin, police said.

What we know:

Police said on Monday, Jan. 5, around 6:55 a.m., officers responded to a report of a gunshot at the Cambria Hotel at 68 East Avenue #824. The caller said a person had been shot.

When officers arrived, they found a man with injuries. He later died at the scene. He was identified as Luke Bradburn.

The investigation revealed that Bradburn drove and crashed a car that belonged to 20-year-old Maximillian Salinas. After the crash, Bradburn and the other people in the car left and went to the Cambria Hotel.

Salinas went to the hotel and shot Bradburn.

On Jan. 6, Salinas was arrested and charged with murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

The Source: Information from the Austin Police Department

DowntownCrime and Public Safety

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Austin, TX

Austin activists hold anti-ICE protests following the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Austin activists hold anti-ICE protests following the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis

Chants of “shame” and “ICE out of Texas” rang through the street as Austin-area activists joined thousands across the nation in protesting the killing of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis.

The protest was held in front of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Pflugerville.

Good, 37, was shot in her SUV while attempting to drive away from several ICE officers who ordered her to exit her vehicle.

Scarleth Lopez with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the organization that led the protest, said the videos of the shooting in Minneapolis were “sickening.”

“Trump has lied and and said that Renee was a terrorist. She was a mother. She was an innocent bystander,” Lopez said. “We must organize to stop these people from kidnapping and murdering.”

Lorianne Willett

KUT News

Spray painted messages appeared outside of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Pflugerville

Elizabeth Bope, a retired Pflugerville ISD teacher, said the claims from federal and state lawmakers that Good was attempting to strike the ICE agent with her vehicle inspired her to attend the protest.

Such claims were posted online by Vice President J.D. Vance and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Attorney General Ken Paxton reposted a statement from DHS on X, formerly known as Twitter, that said the ICE agent “relied on his training and saved his own life.”

“It’s beyond really any words that they killed this woman for no reason, but also that they’re lying about it,” Bope said. “I’m not even a radical left person, I’m just a regular old Democrat.”

Other key Texas leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have not commented on the shooting.

A group of protesters holding yellow signs reading "ICE Out of our Communities" gather during a night time protest. — Protesters gathered and held signs during a protest against ICE.

Doug Tickner, who said he works for a home building company in Austin, said he felt it was important to show up in person for Good.

“I don’t really think of Minneapolis as being that far from here, and it’s not like what happened in Minneapolis was some sort of one off unique event,” Tickner said. “This is part of a pattern, and I feel folks better wake up and realize that this is becoming more and more serious.”

The news that federal immigration officers shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon, broke hours before the protest.

The gathering in Pflugerville is among the first of four anti-ICE demonstrations planned across the Austin area over the next few days.

Earlier on Thursday, protesters gathered at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard during rush hour. A protest on Friday will be held at the Capitol and another will be held Saturday at City Hall.

Protesters bang on the outside of a building built of metal. — Protesters bang on the outside of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Pflugerville.

State and federal leaders are now sparring over who should conduct an investigation into the Minneapolis shooting, according to NPR.

Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which was originally asked to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI, said in a statement it was later told the investigation would be led solely by federal authorities.

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