How about this "Minnesota Ice" vs. "Minnesota Nice" stuff?? (live, move)

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Latchkey Kid

But no one every said there weren't non-Minnesotans here. In fact, a couple of us have made the very point that the friends we have made here aren't natives.

I don't think anyone "embraces" the stereotype. Do you really think people are trying to pattern their lives after the Prairie Home Companion? They are what they are.

I think you just need to accept that YOU don't fit the stereotype rather than try to argue that those kind of people don't exist in fairly significant numbers (at least enough to recognized by outsiders). By the way, I'm not really very familiar with PHC, so I came into this without preconceived ideas.

Oh, and if someone at home called someone else a typical surfer dude, I'd know exactly what they meant. Haven't met any here.

OK, maybe I don't fit the stereotype. I'm not the only one, though. Maybe it's just that I think Minneapolis has the potential (and has been on the path to) being a less provincial city than in decades past, and can continue to embrace the large numbers of people who don't live the "Minnesota" lifestyle. (I do appreciate the Scandinavian heritage stereotype, though, as it is a regional thing and does help set the upper Midwest apart from other regions. Besides, I like my Norwegian cheese and lefse.) Keep trying, don't give up, and please don't automatically write off us native Minnesotans because you assume we'll have certain characteristics.

Perhaps my contrarian, argumentative (but still Minnesotan) nature allows me to just write off those annoying people who live such a limited life that they only have "room" in their life for friends they met at age five. (actually, I have a friend from Downey who complained about that mentality there.)

And, if you currently live in Uptown, do join your neighborhood board. Unless your pet cause is limiting density and building heights. In that case please ignore that advice and just stick to going to the social events.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Latchkey Kid

White turtlenecks with cardigan sweaters?

I was thinking flat, straight blonde (or possibly light brown) hair with no bangs, parted on the side.

I don't wear turtlenecks, but I do wear a lot of twin sets, or at least I did when I had a regular office job. That might count.

[Latchkey Kid]

But I didn't write off anyone because of the stereotype--I didn't even know it existed when I got here. This purely thru experience. I don't actively look for MN friends, just whoever comes along.

[Latchkey Kid]

Nah, twinsets don't count.

[Latchkey Kid]

And that hairstyle is common to a certain age group across the country, not a MN thing.

[sparksals]

Latchkey:

I think I understand what UU is trying to say. UU is obviously an adult and her mom must be in her 60's or 70's. UU's mom raised her kids here, she's been here a long time. I don't think it's prudent to get into an argument of what constitutes a native b/c I think UU is trying to see our point of view.

[Latchkey Kid]

It wasn't for the sake of being argumentitive, it was in service of teasing out why she has different perspective. Plus, the whole "what is a native" argument was raised again. I mean, it's not an insult so I don't know what is imprudent?

[sparksals]

UU -- your analogy about people moving here all include those who moved with spouses or SO's. It is MUCH different moving here when one part of the couple has family and a social network already established.

We are people who moved here knowing not.one.soul. No family here. No friends. No social connections. We are starting from scratch. We don't have a single friend here.

We really can't compare the experiences of those who have family/friends already. They have an advantage.

When I came to the TC's, my husband was still in training in GA. I drove here from AZ with two dogs and my car stuff with my china, crystal etc. My husband wasn't able to join me here for another month. In the meantime, I had to find a temp place to rent, which I did. But, my elderly dog got sick, couldn't handle the winter after living in AZ. It was too much for him.

Imagine coming to a brand new city, not knowing a soul and having to call your realtor to recco a vet to put your little dog down while your husband is away. I was completely alone. I was here less than two weeks and I had to put down my little dog myself in a strange city where I had no family. No friends. No support. No one to call.

I'm not looking for sympathy, but my point is, living here two years, I still do not have ONE person I can call if I need a shoulder. I have no friends close enough to call if something (gawd forbid) happened to my husband. I would be all by myself like I was when I had to put my dear, sweet little dog down. How would you feel if something happened to your spouse/SO and you had NO ONE to come help or comfort you? THAT is how I feel living here. I feel alone in that I don't have anyone to call for that shoulder that we all need. Perhaps you can't fathom that because you have that network, but those of us new here don't. I wouldn't even call my neighbour b/c I don't know them well enough to lay something like that on them.

If I were in Tucson, I WOULD have people who I consider FRIEND to call. They would come to my house in a heartbeat. It's quite disconcerting not having someone close enough to call after two years living here.

[sparksals]

Originally Posted by Latchkey Kid

By the way, that book came out in 2007, published by the MN Historical Society Press, and written by a Minnesota historian. I'm not above arguing with historians, but I don't think you can just immediately dismiss it as an outdated stereotype. It just seems that no matter how much information you are presented with, you are just determined not to entertain that there may some truth to what we are saying. Most stereotypes don't just appear out of thin air without any basis in reality. Except maybe that angels have wings.

Aren't you a historian? Why don't you shoot Annette an email and see what her response is to your arguments?

LK... I think that UU is actually trying to see our point of view. I know what you're talking about, but give UU a break for at least trying to see our side. It's more than what we receive from others in this discussion.

[sparksals]

Originally Posted by Latchkey Kid

White turtlenecks with cardigan sweaters?

LMAO!!!

LK.. have you joined TCT? You should.