Minnesota: the land of over 10,000 lakes, all things frozen, and all things fried. (Really, Minnesota, fried butter?) Anyway, there are many unique things that make Minnesota one of the coolest (no pun intended) states and a true Minnesotan is proud to call this place home. Here are 10 things you know if you are from Minnesota!
1. It's called pop. Enough said.
Warm summer days by the pool or the lake often go hand-in-hand with a nice, ice-cold drink. The drink of choice might be a good ole pop. It is not called soda; that is a powdered ingredient that is used when baking a pan of bars. Tried and true Minnesotans know this very important difference and respect it.
2. Above zero temperatures are gifts in the dead of winter.
About halfway through the winter, even the truest Minnesotans get tired of the cold. Just when they think they cannot handle it anymore, there is a day above 0 degrees, or better yet, maybe even 30 degrees! These are the days when the winter parkas are no longer needed, gloves are optional, and the biggest and warmest sweatshirt that you have comes out of the closet. You might as well put away those winter boots because it is flip flop weather!
3. Hot dish, not casserole.
A Minnesotan knows not to disgrace this delicious dish by calling it "casserole." The delectable food deserves a label all in to itself. Hot dish: one of the best dishes ever concocted. The endless combinations and possibilities allow this dish to truly warm both your heart and stomach. Oh, and by the way, tater tot hot dish is where it's at; you cannot go wrong with meat and tater tots.
4. Flannel is life.
Flannel shirts, flannel pants, flannel blankets and flannel sheets. Those cold winter days teach you to appreciate all things warm; flannel is man's best friend during the six months of winter.
5. Goodbyes are never quick.
When making plans, any Minnesotan knows to allocate enough time for two things: the weather and saying goodbye. They hate to be the first ones to leave an event for fear of missing out on something important and they do not like ending conversations. Fair warning: when conversing with or spending time with a Minnesotan, allow time for the lengthy and drawn-out goodbye; know that they will not be the one to call it quits.
6. Getting frostbite and a sunburn in the same day is a real possibility.
The sun is shining and it looks so beautiful outside. All you want to do is throw on a pair of sunglasses, go outside, and enjoy the beautiful weather. But wait, the outdoors lie! While it may look nice out, the temperature is so cold that any exposed skin in the outdoors will be at risk of frostbite. So any true Minnesotan knows to bundle up and brave the outdoors, but to also wear sunscreen and a snow cap.
7. Minnesota has four seasons.
Like most other parts of the country, Minnesota has four seasons, but they are quite different. Minnesotans know them as Winter, Still Winter, Mud and Construction. Winter begins as early as October and Still Winter happens around the beginning of March. If it is a good year, Mud normally begins in April and ends in May, but during a bad winter, Mud can last until the end of May. Last but not least, Construction happens whenever there is no snow, normally June through September. The seasons in Minnesota are like a game of roulette; you never know what the next day is going to bring.
8. It is a gray duck, not a goose.
Any Minnesotan who has played this game with anyone else has probably received a very judgmental look when they said "gray duck" instead "goose." There is no explaining this or why exactly Minnesotans play this version of the game, but all Minnesotans know is that this is the correct version of this beloved child's game. I mean, who would want to be a goose anyway?
9. "Minnesota Nice" is a real thing.
Minnesotans are nice folks; they do not like making people upset and they are always trying to please people. With that being said, if you ask a Minnesotan for their opinion about something, some might not tell you how they really feel. You have a better shot at being told something is "interesting" or "different" because they do not want to offend you by saying they do not like it. Minnesotans are not trying to be difficult; they are just being "Minnesota nice."
10. Minnesota is home.
The picture-perfect scenery, the genuinely kind people and the tremendous amounts of snow—yes, even the snow—inarguably make Minnesota one of the prettiest and most charming places in the United States. From its big differences with other states to even the littlest quirks that only Minnesotans understand, this state allows for many to proudly call Minnesota "home."
