“Minnesota”byThe U.S. Armyis licensed underCC BY 2.0
Minnesotans are the type of people who will put off plans to help a stranger, manage to be polite even in the most heated arguments and hold a full conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number. Yes, “Minnesota nice” is a real thing, and you’ll find people touting that stereotypical attitude all throughout the state. However, while Minnesotans will be pleasant in their conversations and always offer to lend a helping hand, that doesn’t mean that they’re ready be your best bud. It can take years before you're actually invited over for dinner, and they tend to be rather reserved. They like to mind their own business and expect you to do the same. And be warned: passive aggressiveness is another key component of their typical personality. They can often seem outwardly nice while still delivering a burning insult. If a Minnesotan calls your new outfit “different” or “interesting”, it’s just their “Minnesota nice” way of saying that they think it’s butt-ugly.
“Vikings and Crowd”byKyle Engmanis licensed underCC BY 2.0
Even though it seems like Prince has been for around ages, Minnesotans aren’t even close to ready to let go of their love for this Minneapolis born icon. Locals are so proud of this musician that anytime someone mentions Prince, they burst in with a story about how they once spotted him at a downtown club or dined out at a restaurant mere tables away from him. They’re constantly wondering when the next of his last-minute purple parties at Paisley Park will be held, and they take every chance to see him perform in person like their lives depend on it.
“Minnesota Vikings stocking cap hat”bym01229is licensed underCC BY 2.0
You might as well say that purple is the favorite color of Minnesotans, given how much they love both Prince AND the Minnesota Vikings. Locals sport the team’s purple and gold colors any time of the year, but, boy, you better watch out when football season rolls around. Every sports bars is full of people drinking and enthusiastically (read: loudly) cheering on the team as one big Viking fan community. They’ll show up to games with brightly painted faces, prime-quality jerseys and vikings hats complete with horns and golden braids. Even on a simple stroll you might hear someone shout “go Viks!” in an uncontrollable fit of passion for the team.
Give a Minnesotan driver an icy, slick, snow-covered, barely visible road and they won’t even bat an eyelash. Throw in a raging blizzard and they’ll shrug it right off. Conditions that would send sheer terror through the average driver are nothing for a Minnesotan. They were born and raised in the winter weather and have been driving through it without a problem for generations. Minnesotans are always prepared for any harsh winter road conditions, with their snow tires strapped on and a shovel in the trunk. For them, slippery icy roads are a piece of cake.
Locals will pass up the finest dining in the world for a warm plate of that starchy favorite known as hot dish, especially if it includes a layer of tater tots. If you ever show up to any gathering without a dish of the stuff, you’re likely to be shunned. Sure it’s not the healthiest food, but Minnesotans don’t worry—they've got most of the year to hide any hot dish chub underneath a big ol’ winter parka.
What’s that? You don’t have Sorels or a North Face? You must not be from Minnesota. Locals know that, when it comes to winter necessities, you need to be armed with a pair of Sorel boots and a warm North Face jacket. Sure other brands might keep you just as cozy, but you can’t go anywhere in the state without seeing people wearing Sorel and North Face. I swear, the state could singlehandedly keep the two companies in business.
It’s not that Minnesotans hate their Midwest neighbors, it’s just that they know that their state is better. It could be because of Minnesota’s long seeded rivalry with the other state, the dislike that Minnesotans have for the Green Bay Packers or that locals just hate admitting that the delicious cheese they’re eating is probably from Wisconsin. Regardless, they’ll never be able to understand why anyone would choose to live in that cheese-head-wearing, brat-eating, Packers-obsessed, bar-laden state when the fabulous Minnesota is right next door.
Starbucks who? Minnesotans have a coffee king of their own that they’ll gladly choose over any other spot. Caribou Coffee holds a special place in Minnesotans’ hearts. Residents regularly stop by the cafe for its mouth-wateringly sweet pastries, hot drinks, warm fire places and cushy couches. Ahh, where else would a Minnesotan want to stop for a quick caffeine fix or a spot to relax and spend their afternoon? Nowhere, that’s where.
Mention the movie “Fargo” to any Minnesotan and prepare to hear them groan. They’ve encountered a lot of people who have taken that movie way too literally. Minnesotans are sick and tired of the rep that it’s given their state. Sure, you’ll find people with a thick Minnesotan accent in some parts of Minnesota, and any Minnesotan would be lying if they said they didn’t understand all the lingo in the movie. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone goes around saying “Minnah-sOH-tah dontchaknow” all the time.
Saying goodbye in Minnesota? Be prepared to stay longer than you intended. Minnesotans just can’t seem to let their visitors and friends go without talking their ears off for another 10 to 15 minutes. But if you get two Minnesotans who are saying their goodbyes, then that time practically doubles. A quick “bye,” wave, or hug just never seems to do it. Minnesotans always give the full send off, walking you to do door, out on the curb, to your car and even still shouting to you as you start to pull out of the driveway. Featured Image Source: pintaw.com Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think about Minnesota in the comments below!
