Are Michiganders Insular/Provincial? (Detroit, Grand Rapids: travel, jobs, businesses)

[mackinac81]

Okay, so I was talking to a friend the other day about her trips overseas, and she thought (based on trips to Britain and Japan) that countries surrounded by water tend to be more insular or detached than other places. She then said that she noticed similar tendencies in Michigan. (She didn't mean this in a bad way). I've also noticed that people who like MI are REALLY into it, more so than in other forums.

It got me to thinking...now Michigan isn't an island, but we are a pair of penninsulas, So, do you think Michiganders see themselves (yourselves) as "off on it's own" (so to speak)? Do we have insular/provincial tendencies?

Keep in mind, I don't mean this in a bad way.

Mackinac

[Michigansnowflake]

I see where she is coming from and I tend to agree with her

[mackinac81]

I see where she is coming from and I tend to agree with her

I agreed with my friend too. I'm a very proud michigander myself. Do you think its stronger up north than in the southern part of the state? My perception is that the insularity increases the further north you go.

[Bluefly]

It definitely does increase the further north you go.

Nobody comes through Michigan unless they're going to Michigan. It's different out east where people are very territorial, but constantly moving between states. For example, Whole Foods had to reorganize its entire local food distribution network based on what people define as local. Even though a food might be grown a hundred miles closer, New Yorkers do not consider Connecticut local, and Connecticutians do not consider anything from Upstate New York local.

In northern Michigan, however, there's not a lot of debate as to what's local or not. It's all from Michigan if it's local. Those lakes create quite a strange barrier.

The UP has a very distinct culture because of its isolation, Even though Canada is just over the lake, it might as well be a thousand miles away.

[mackinac81]

In northern Michigan, however, there's not a lot of debate as to what's local or not. It's all from Michigan if it's local. Those lakes create quite a strange barrier.

Yeah, I pretty much consider the whole state local (Well, the LP). As a result I tend to buy stuff made in michigan where I can. I'll buy my michigan produce at Meijer and then go to biggby afterward for coffee. All are MI based businesses. I view it as helping my neighbor succeed in this economy. We're all in the same boat, in my view.

And the lakes are a barrier. I was at Grand Haven today and realized that even though Milwaukee, is directly across the lake it's 1) not visible and 2) takes about 7 hours to drive there. When you think of it that way, you feel just a bit isolated from everyone else.

I definitely think that growing up surrounded by water has influenced my thinking. Despite my wide travels, I still have a provincial streak in me that screams "Michigan rocks!"

[cardwellave]

I think the economic situation here is testament to how insular it is here. It seems like we are somewhat separated here, with so many of our major cities having major problems: Flint, Detroit, Saginaw, Benton Harbor, Lansing. I mean I know it is bad across the country in terms of jobs, but we are dead last here in terms of jobs and I think some of that could be to blame with how we are separated somewhat from the rest of the country.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Okay, so I was talking to a friend the other day about her trips overseas, and she thought (based on trips to Britain and Japan) that countries surrounded by water tend to be more insular or detached than other places. She then said that she noticed similar tendencies in Michigan. (She didn't mean this in a bad way). I've also noticed that people who like MI are REALLY into it, more so than in other forums.

It got me to thinking...now Michigan isn't an island, but we are a pair of penninsulas, So, do you think Michiganders see themselves (yourselves) as "off on it's own" (so to speak)? Do we have insular/provincial tendencies?

Keep in mind, I don't mean this in a bad way.

Mackinac

Yes Michiganders are provincial. Very much so. They aren't the only ones, and like she/you said, it's not a bad thing to be that.

[Bluefly]

Living on the east coast, I also realized how much my Michigan upbringing was influenced by the psychology of simply being able to "go north" to get away from it all. There isn't much north of Detroit/Saginaw all the way to the North Pole.

In New York / DC, there are major cities in every direction. I was claustrophobic in a very broad psychological sense, even though I had plenty of open space and a wonderful lifestyle.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

It definitely does increase the further north you go.

Nobody comes through Michigan unless they're going to Michigan. It's different out east where people are very territorial, but constantly moving between states. For example, Whole Foods had to reorganize its entire local food distribution network based on what people define as local. Even though a food might be grown a hundred miles closer, New Yorkers do not consider Connecticut local, and Connecticutians do not consider anything from Upstate New York local.

In northern Michigan, however, there's not a lot of debate as to what's local or not. It's all from Michigan if it's local. Those lakes create quite a strange barrier.

The UP has a very distinct culture because of its isolation, Even though Canada is just over the lake, it might as well be a thousand miles away.

Northern Michigan is even insular from the southern portion. You hear people refer to themselves as highlanders and speak about the lowlanders.

I think being surrounded by water does have a lot to do with it. Someone from northern Michigan would usually drive through Michigan to get somewhere else, even if physically close to the states to the side, they are distant as far as driving distance. Plus there's the feeling many have that the large bodies of waters, sand dunes and beaches, and so on provide everything that is needed. Many people figure there's no real need to travel to see an ocean when the Great Lakes are so large.

Many people who wish to escape the big cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo head north, and there is a feeling of wanting to stay far away from the hectic big cities. All one needs is a Walmart close by, a couple of grocery stores, a few taverns and restaurants and that's more than enough.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Living on the east coast, I also realized how much my Michigan upbringing was influenced by the psychology of simply being able to "go north" to get away from it all. There isn't much north of Detroit/Saginaw all the way to the North Pole.

In New York / DC, there are major cities in every direction. I was claustrophobic in a very broad psychological sense, even though I had plenty of open space and a wonderful lifestyle.

There is also that psychological sense that someone from Michigan points to their hand to show others where they are from. When asked the question of where they live, a Michigan person will hold up his left hand and point to some spot on it and say, I'm from right here.... which invariably gets a dumbfounded look on the listener and a comment "what??? you're from your own hand?!!?"