"Minnesota Nice" (appointed, living in, moving)

[MonkeyButler7000]

I am thinking about relocating to the Twin Cities, so I have been reading a lot of posts. I keep coming across conversations about "Minnesota Nice." That term seems to describe people that seems friendly at first, but are mean, talk bad, etc. behind your back.

I grew up in Michigan before living in Georgia and Texas, so I can tell you - people like that are everywhere, not just Minnesota. I think that a lot of people confuse a more reserved Midwestern attitude as mean, rude, or cold. We just like to mind our business and stay out of the business of others. I think we tend to value deeper, more meaningful relationships with perhaps fewer people than surrounding ourselves with a large circle of casual friends.

I can also say that as someone from the Midwest, I have felt that the more outgoing manners of people in the South can seem intrusive at times. I think that the open attitude can make for some rather akward social situations with people that you don't know very well.

Bottom line - this is a very large country, so regional differences are going to develop. Not everyone is going to like them. Just go where you feel most comfortable.

[beachmommy19]

I don't think that Minnesotans are rude or mean on purpose. But...it is so hard to make friends up here! I moved here 3 years ago, after marrying a Minnesotan. I had great hopes of living in a great city and area, but I am so disappointed with the fact that, sure, people are nice, but they do not want to get to know any new people deeper. So, great, maybe midwesterners value more deep relationships, instead of surrounding themselves with tons of casual friendships, but where does that leave those of us who don't have family or friends here? Nowhere! It has been a very, very lonely place for me, and thank God, we are moving back south in a year or so. Minnesotans simply never leave Minnesota, and therefore, all their lifelong friends and every extended relative they have still live here, so there is no room in their life for any new friends. I think that is terribly sad, and they are missing out on learning from other people, and getting to know other people. And...it's an absolutely miserable place to live for someone who is not from here, sorry, but it's true.
Beachmommy

[golfgal]

We already have several posts on this topic already. Please use the search feature.