Why does Minnesota have stereotypes? (Minneapolis, St. Paul: theatre, living in, cost of)

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by Feklar

Around the country, if people think of Minnesota at all, they tend to bring up Fargo and Garrison Keillor. However, in my experience they don't tend to have a negative view of Minnesotans -if anything maybe a bit too positive. On average they seem to think of Minnesotans as outdoorsy, wholesome, hardworking and honest. And they always associate Minnesota with Scandinavians, but since Scandinavians generally have a pretty good image this doesn't hurt anything.

Fargo did have some dumb characters, most comedies do because stupidity is funny, but Marge was actually quite sharp behind that "Minnesota nice" facade...

I don't know that I usually hear too much about overly positive views. In fact, I'm currently abroad and was doing an orientation thing with several Americans in the same program. As we all talked about where we were from, it became evident that a huge majority of the others were from the east coast. In their world, nothing exists outside of states near the Atlantic. Minnesota was just a cold, boring place, with its only claim to fame being Mall of America. A few of them recognized their obvious bias, but several were steadfast in their absolute need to live in New England.

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

Originally Posted by xandrex

I don't know that I usually hear too much about overly positive views. In fact, I'm currently abroad and was doing an orientation thing with several Americans in the same program. As we all talked about where we were from, it became evident that a huge majority of the others were from the east coast. In their world, nothing exists outside of states near the Atlantic. Minnesota was just a cold, boring place, with its only claim to fame being Mall of America. A few of them recognized their obvious bias, but several were steadfast in their absolute need to live in New England.

I think being stereotyped as boring is better than being stereotyped as an east coast snob.

[audadvnc]

Uh, great, glad to hear it.

So how about them Vikes?

[rock_chalk]

Originally Posted by xandrex

I don't know that I usually hear too much about overly positive views. In fact, I'm currently abroad and was doing an orientation thing with several Americans in the same program. As we all talked about where we were from, it became evident that a huge majority of the others were from the east coast. In their world, nothing exists outside of states near the Atlantic. Minnesota was just a cold, boring place, with its only claim to fame being Mall of America. A few of them recognized their obvious bias, but several were steadfast in their absolute need to live in New England.

What's wrong with stereotypes? Sounds like they keep elitists on the Eastern Seaboard and out of the Midwest!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by AGuyFromCleveland18

I think being stereotyped as boring is better than being stereotyped as an east coast snob.

The East Coast is entirely different than the Appalachian interior northeast. You'll quickly realize the difference if you visit the region. Rural interior Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have both a New England and Appalachia character, with some similarities to areas further south in the Appalachian mountains. The overall culture is about as 180 degrees different from the East Coast as you can get outside the touristy resort areas.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by rock_chalk

What's wrong with stereotypes? Sounds like they keep elitists on the Eastern Seaboard and out of the Midwest!

I have nothing wrong with keeping those attitudes "out" of the Midwest. I was more pointing out that not all the stereotypes were that we're such a great place, at a previous poster sort of indicated. In general, I found most of the coasties to be nice people, but I prefer the vibe we have going here. It's much more laid back, we're quieter (the London Tube is a place where talking is somewhat taboo...guess who was practically shouting while others looked on?), and I found the bluntness to be a little overboard at times. But that's my Minnesota Nice, I suppose?

[knke0204]

It's frustrating, I agree. I have seen many occasions in media/tv shows/music with skewed perceptions of Minnesota... For example, on a recent "WEEDS" episode the main character is in a Sauna with a lady with a "ho-hum" attitude. The lady goes on to reveal "I like it warm in here, maybe it's because I'm from Minnesota and am defrosting"

This is a good example: Kim Kardashian takes a swipe at "Yeehaw Minnesota" - Minneapolis News - The Blotter



Disneyland Jaywalking What do you know about Minnesota? - YouTube


Minnesotan Stereotypes Rant - YouTube

New in town takes the Cake though. That movie is bad

[Govie]

Originally Posted by knke0204

This is a good example: Kim Kardashian takes a swipe at "Yeehaw Minnesota" - Minneapolis News - The Blotter

lol at Kim Whatever taking shots at MN. It's a good thing though, because she is nothing but pure trash, through and through. Perfect fit for a pretentious Hopkins yuppy like Kris as well.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by Govie

lol at Kim Whatever taking shots at MN. It's a good thing though, because she is nothing but pure trash, through and through. Perfect fit for a pretentious Hopkins yuppy like Kris as well.

While I agree that Kim isn't exactly a great role model for the world, it seems weird that you'd say "pretentious Hopkins yuppy" in front of Kris. I'm not saying he's great, but more defending Hopkins. Since when has it been considered a town to get lumped in as generally pretentious or yuppy-filled? That may not have been the intention, but if not, then it seems odd to mention the town at all. When people think of pretentious towns, I think a lot more of them see places like Edina, Eden Prairie, and areas around Lake Minnetonka.

[Govie]

Originally Posted by xandrex

While I agree that Kim isn't exactly a great role model for the world, it seems weird that you'd say "pretentious Hopkins yuppy" in front of Kris. I'm not saying he's great, but more defending Hopkins. Since when has it been considered a town to get lumped in as generally pretentious or yuppy-filled? That may not have been the intention, but if not, then it seems odd to mention the town at all. When people think of pretentious towns, I think a lot more of them see places like Edina, Eden Prairie, and areas around Lake Minnetonka.

It was more directed at Kris. Kris's father was after all a well-off pro athlete. And I tend to find Western suburbs in general to have more of those people. I suppose all of the Metro suburbs have their own share in general.