Is It Really That Hard to Make Friends in Minnesota? (Minneapolis: neighborhoods, living in)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by jkc1970

Piratte Lafitte where in Georgia do you live? I used to live in Atlanta (briefly) - Have you lived in Minnesota before? How would you compare the South to Minn?

I live in Cobb County(Kennesaw). I have not lived in MN, but I have traveled up there to see my family. The reason I know about MN because I read alot of books.
My comparison of MN to the South is that Minnesota tends to be more reserved and more innovative, sort of like Sweden.

[jkc1970]

Originally Posted by kuan

No because you can fry those in a lot of batter and enjoy the crunch. Lutefisk is served simply with plain butter or cream, cream because some Minnesotans cannot stand to eat anything with a little color in it. It's not a staple. No VFW lutefisk fry on fridays.

Actually I quite like lutefisk. I just make fun of it a bit because I know many people can't stand lutefisk.

I actually like fish so maybe it wouldn't be bad -

[judlee]

I have lived in Minnesota all my life so I can't speak to the experience of someone moving here from outside the state. I will say, however, that our reserved, Scandinavian image is only one part of who we are. Minnesota has become very multi-ethnic in recent years and that has added wonderful opportunities for getting to know people from many backgrounds. I live in Saint Paul (our home sits on a bluff that overlooks downtown and the State Capitol building). Every year we attend "Taste of Minnesota" where foods of many cultures are offered (even lutefisk!), the Festival of Nations, the Irish Heritage Festival, etc. etc. There is a new Mexican Counselate in our neighborhood, and, as well, the Native American traditions and festival are wonderful opportunities to explore more of our diversity. As for making friends---smaller gatherings are the way to go. Though I have lots of friends and family in the state, sometimes I get the urge to meet new people. One thing I do is to participate in several community education classes: dance classes, writing seminars, groups that tour state attractions, etc. It is easy to meet people that share my interests and that gives opportunity to create lasting friendships. Come visit!! You will be welcome.

[lucie1970]

I am from New England and have found Minnesota to be very friendly. I think there are many transplants to the Twin Cities and these people are more likely to become your best friends than the folks who are busy being friends with the folks they met in kindergarten. Honestly, you'll meet people.

[jkc1970]

Originally Posted by lucie1970

I am from New England and have found Minnesota to be very friendly. I think there are many transplants to the Twin Cities and these people are more likely to become your best friends than the folks who are busy being friends with the folks they met in kindergarten. Honestly, you'll meet people.

That is encouraging. I just spoke with my recruiter and it looks like a I have an interview. I really would like to check out the Twin Cities - they seem to have so much to offer. I really don't mind people being reserved. To be honest, I would rather be in an environment where people are polite rather than dramatic and emotional (which frankly makes me uncomfortable).

[reggaj]

I think a lot of people have family as NewCastle mentioned and tend to do the family thing, although I've found it really easy to meet neighbors and associate or hang out with them, but I wouldn't call them good friends. I've also noticed that being a single male makes it harder to build friendships, most people like to do things as couples and you end up feeling like the odd man out.

[flindras]

Minnesotans are comme ci comme ca as far as friendships. They do not hesitate not to show up if they don't feel like it. Apart from this, everything else in the Twin Cities is highly recommended - lots of culture, and beauty. Oh and lutefisk. You have to work to find it. It's disgusting - wriggly jelly white fish of some sort.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by jkc1970

I guess I wouldn't fit in. By the way, what exactly is lutefisk?

Scandinavian biological warfare

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by jkc1970

Hi,

I have been reading some posts on the Minnesota forum and am really surprised that people live there for years and never make any true friends. This is really disturbing to me. I have considered Minnesota for a move, along with upstate New York. I really would like to get some feedback about this "Minnesota Nice" - Is this the same as "Southern Hospitality"? Are people really that "Nice"? I think for the most part we live in a very "superficial" society today. People are more isolated and socially fragmented than ever and it really doesn't seem to matter where you live in light of this. We live in a very mobile society today where most people don't stick around and stay in the communities where they grow up and a lot of people don't have a social network anymore. That said, I don't think that moving around is a bad thing. People move for a variety of reasons - some good, some not so good, but a lot of times people move due to job availability, cost of living, quality of life issues - and who can fault people for that? I don't. But, to be honest, it is very hard to connect anywhere these days. I live in Colorado and you would think due to all the transplants it would be easy to make friends here. It is easy to meet people, but not easy to make lasting friendships I have found. And Colorado is not a "my dance card is full" type of place but yet you have the same problem. Ironically, in spite of great climate, 300+ days of sunshine per year, Colorado Springs was just listed as having the 2nd highest suicide rate in the nation (for urban areas in 2004) and I read somewhere that Denver was also high on the list. It really is mind boggling. I was talking to a fireman here in town once and he said that most of their calls are related to suicide attempts because people come out here and don't connect. That is so sad. What is wrong?

I'd say it took me about 5-6 years before I had a good group of friends that I regularly hung out with and could call on. Then, after 10 years, I relocated to Colorado () and am now faced with the same problem of making new friends. Been here nearly 3 years and I probably have 3 close friends and all of them live at least 20 miles away.

[mystree]

I think this happens for most people anywhere they move that's new.We met alot of people who were nice in South Carolina but didn't have anyone to hang out with.We are now in Southern Minnesota and will see what happens currently we will go up to the cities and hang out with my husbands family. I just think people who grow up in an area and have their own circle of friends already built and its hard for an outsider to enter that circle.So it's easy to make aquaintances but not friends.I guess it's a good thing my husband and I are each others best friends.