You move to a new state and the typical conversation happens when meeting new people:
Person: "Where are you from?"
You: "Minnesota."
Person: "Oh, MinnesOOOta you mean?"
The emphasis of that "o" is always a haunting stereotype for all fellow Minnesotans. I come from a little town outside of Rochester, Minnesota and went to college at a Wisconsin school. I cannot tell you how many times I have had this exact conversation. In addition, Minnesotans have also been confused with the stereotyped Canadian sayings such as ending every sentence with "eh?"
Minnesota life is just like any other Midwestern state other than a few differences. Some are known and some are not. Whether it is culture or our flashy tourist attractions; most Minnesotans can relate to at least one commonality of being from Minnesota.
1. Minnesota Nice
No matter what other state I am in; I still have yet to find that same mutual respect for one another. Whether it is driving down the road or walking on the sidewalk Minnesota people just seem to always smile. It could just be me and my perception of the Minnesota but everywhere I go people seem to smile and be polite. They open the door for you, let you go ahead in a line for food, or just a genuine "hello!" It is something unique that can only be described at welcoming.
2. Hot Dish vs Casserole
It is a hot dish of food. What more is there to say?
3. Valleyfair and Mall of America
"Oh! You are from Minnesota! Do you live by Valleyfair?" The tourist traps are in the cities, everyone knows where the amusement park and big shopping mall are but not very many people know where Mayo Clinic in Rochester is. Weird.
4. Lutefisk
What better way to celebrate our Norwegian heritage than with some good ol' slimey Lutefisk. There is nothing quite like it--good or bad. I know I surely enjoy the Lefsa on the side. (:
5. The "accent"
I cannot describe this any better without telling a story. I went on a trip out to Colorado with my family a couple years back and we were in the Estes Park area. We were looking around in this little shop and just talking when another family asks us, "You must be from Minnesota?" We answered "Yes, how could you tell?" And they said it was just the way that we talked. It was a little uncomfortable knowing that they could tell where we were from but to us, they sounded just like we do. As a Minnesotan everyone's "accents" seem to blend together but everyone else can tell where we are from.
6. The Minnesota Goodbye
"Bye. See you next time."
"See ya. Oh! Did you hear about...."
This happens multiple times before Minnesota people actually say goodbye. We remember something to tell the person and start a whole new conversation and then realize an hour later that we were going to leave. And then the cycle repeats until you get too tired to remember new information or you or the person are running late for another event.
7. Welcome to Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes
At every border crossing into Minnesota there is a sign that says "Welcome to Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes".
Lake, pond, same thing right? I just wonder who counted all those lakes and decided "HEY! Let's be known in the U.S. as the Land of 10,000 Lakes!" Yeah, I am unsure the logic too.
I am sure there are plenty more situations we have all encountered as native Minnesotans. But just remember, not matter where you go Minnesota will always be your home. When you come on back to the home state we will welcome you back with a smile and won't let you leave until we have a lengthy goodbye.
Until next time,
A fellow Minnesotan
