Living in Minnesota, I have heard this phrase my whole life and I always sort of laughed about it. Though I said it often back home I can see clearly now why it exists. Currently, I am staying in the Big Apple where many people, but not all, are the polar opposite of a Minnesotan. If I lived in the city that never sleeps, I wouldn’t want to chat either.
Masking my “Minnesotan” has for sure been a challenge. The fact that not everyone says “hi, how are you,” to each other on a stroll through Central Park or possesses the common courtesy to hold a door open has me a bit shaken up. Here, if you stop to do any of those things or even to pick up a toy a baby dropped from a stroller, you may get trampled.
Car horns honk every 30 seconds and subways shriek as they pull to a stop. The people of New York definitely have things to do, and they don’t like to wait. If you aren’t crossing the street when the orange 'do not walk' hand is up, you are not a New Yorker. As much as this would be an amazing place to live with so many opportunities, I do not fit in.
There are some nice New Yorkers, though. I've noticed retail workers are usually very happy and willing to help, but other people...not so much. I understand they deal with dumb people all day long (oops did I write that?). But more often than not I see those people with earbuds in and the “don’t talk to me,” look is written all over their faces, which is typical in Minnesota as well, don’t get me wrong. If I had I lived here all my life I would probably do the same and keep my head down. Now that I am here I get it, if you look someone in the eye they may guilt you into buying something or paying $3.99 per minute as they bike you around town (yes that amount is correct, per minute).
If you get lost back home, all you really have to do is find the chain of lakes and you are set to go. Here you get lost and end up walking an extra 20 blocks, but oh wait, you were on the right street the whole time. From getting on the subway going the complete wrong direction, to trying to remember not to talk or look anyone in the eye, I am exhausted but I continue to want to explore. I think that is a New Yorker, that get up and go attitude even though they had to wait for a subway and after that still walk five blocks to get to work. It may be rough finding someone to ask for help because you may get a comment like, “You should have done your research,” with a huff and a puff, yes that is a real response I received. But don’t get me wrong, I love it here and I like many of the fashionable New Yorkers as well.
The hustle and bustle of the city all in all is spectacular. From Times Square to the green treetops stretching for miles in Central Park to the architecture of The Metropolitan Art Museum, Flatiron Building and much more. In the city that never sleeps you can for sure get a lot done, in 5 days here I think I have walked more than I have any given day in my entire life, but that could also be on account of all the times we took the wrong turn. This city is an amazing place I hope to return to someday, and I hope at some point in your life you get here as well.
Though I really do like it here with all of the tourist traps, shopping, and great pizza — I think I will take my Minnesotans back and their passive-aggressive commentary. Maybe us Minnesotans could take up a few pointers from New Yorkers, like saying 'no' once in awhile, instead of saying yes not to be rude — I mean, did you really mean to volunteer your help on your day off? And to New Yorkers, maybe if you add a little Minnesota nice to your lives, your blood pressure levels would decrease.
