Comments on: Minnesota Stereotypes? You Betcha.

By: The Week-ender: Nov. 13, 2010 |

The Week-ender: Nov. 13, 2010 | — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:34:25 +0000

[...] Margaret’s Iowan opinion on Minnesota stereotypes? [...]

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:41:29 +0000

After living in the South for four years, I experienced a mild culture shock upon moving back to Minnesota (which is where I grew up). The passive aggressive nature is everywhere up here, whether you’re grocery shopping, driving, or making plans with friends and family. Minnesota has a wholesome feel to it that is hard to describe, but you can see it just by going into a gas station. A Missouri gas station typically has an entire wall of tallboys, smirnoff ice and 40s with a small juice and soda section. When you check out, there are little bottles of Kentucky whiskey greeting you at the counter. In Minnesota, the tallboys are replaced by vitamin water and the whiskey bottles replaced by chocolates. There are advantages to either state, but Minnesota definitely puts on a “nice” face.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:03:49 +0000

I think that the Minnesota ‘nice’ thing is just a title. Midwesterners generally have a friendly flair, but people up here aren’t necessarily any nicer than elsewhere in God’s country. Minnesotans may have been the first ones to coin the phrase, but it doesn’t mean that others can’t adhere; Wisconsin is called the dairy state, even though California now produces much more dairy. All in all, it’s a fantastic place to call home.

By: David

David — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:17:39 +0000

Minnesotans are certainly passive aggressive. But more specifically, it’s not that we are any “nicer” than any other group of people it’s just that we are polite. We’re not going to go out of our way to be friendly, but if we’re having a conversation we won’t be rude. Basically, Minnesotans just like to avoid stirring the pot which leads to everyone assuming they are “nicer.”

By: Hanna

Hanna — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:08:21 +0000

People are certainly passive aggressive in Minnesota, but that could be a midwestern thing. I must say, you were in Minnesota for an abnormally cool summer, we can definitely be in the 100s in July and August, so you’re in for a treat if you’re still around next summer!

By: Terri

Terri — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:02:05 +0000

Great article! I don’t agree that Minnesota is the nicest state, however I do think we are quite nice (not just passive aggressive). I visited Colorado this summer and was surprised how nice people were there, nicer than Minnesota!