Does Wisconsin have "Wisconsin Nice"? (Milwaukee, Egg Harbor: subdivision, living in)

[Chelito23]

Yes, Wisconsin has this same trait in many areas around the state. I would venture to say it's an Upper Midwest trait, not just Minnesota. Just like the Seattle freeze. Probably not limited exclusively to that one area.

People in this part of the country are friendly, but reserved. Good at small talk and being polite, but lacking a desire to reach out, change, adapt, meet new people, shake things up socially or interact with people who are different from the norm (newbies, this is you).

The one difference I would say is that in Wisconsin, if the other person reaches out (and by that I mean adapting to the natives ways), there is a better chance of a real friendship or meaningful contact happening. But in general, there are more people proportioanlty than in the rest of the country who value conformity and understated personality traits. There may be differences between Minnesota and Wisconsin, but overall, the "freeze" or superficial niceness is a regional trait IMO.

[fonitin]

Minnesotans are more cold, introverted.
Wisconsinites tend to be warmer, more extroverted.

[CowsAndBeer]

I agree with everything you said, and have heard as much from people outside both states. That said, the two states are about as similar as any throughout the country overall.

[GraniteStater]

Minnesota and Wisconsin tend to have a similar social culture. I find the northern and western parts of Wisconsin to be the most similar to Minnesota culturally whereas the southeast 1/4 of the state and Milwaukee tend to have a bit more of an extroverted populace overall.

[petite d]

As someone who has lived my entire life in southern Wisconsin - roughly half in Madison and half in the Milwaukee area (which is where my family is from) - I have to say that I find Milwaukeeans to be very friendly, while Madisonians tend to be more leukwarm. The friendlier Madisonians I've known have been from rural areas (Richland Center, Wausau, Argyle, etc.). In both areas, though, I do think there's a tendency to be superficially friendly while holding back a bit socially, especially among older people. Part of this is the German and Scandinavian heritage showing itself, so if you're from some other region of the country, try not to take it personally. A lot of us want to get to know you slowly and be sure we can trust you before we let you into our inner circles, but once you're there, you're there for life. There's also a pretty high tolerance for eccentric behavior in my experience, especially out in the country, so whether you're accepted or not doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how well you seem to fit in. Anyone can make friends here provided they're considerate and not too pushy.

Also, to be truthful, I am more likely to extend myself to an outsider than another Wisconsinite at this point in my life. I might be unusual in this regard, but anyone who would actually choose to move here automatically earns some respect from me and I'll go out of my way for such a person without the customary caution first.

[movingtowisc]

Just moving to Wisconsin, I'm finding most people are very friendly and helpful. Even if I'm from Illinois! Since I'm also slow to make good friends, it should be just right for me to take some time to get to know people.

I might be unusual in this regard, but anyone who would actually choose to move here automatically earns some respect from me and I'll go out of my way for such a person without the customary caution first.

I'll look out for you petite d!

[sholomar]

My mother, myself, and another co-worker I work with who is from the Chicago suburbs noted the following about people out here in eastern South Dakota/western Minnesota versus from eastern WI/Chicago area... people in and around Chicago/Milwaukee/Madison are what might be called more 'real' or 'in your face' .. they are not afraid to tell you what they really think to your face as much as people out here, who are more polite to your face but then will talk about you behind your back so everyone knows everything about everyone, they just hear all the information indirectly.

People could be described as 'simple' out here, also passive... afraid to stick up for themselves. I prefer eastern WI personally but whatever the differences are not huge especially when you leave the larger metro areas and get into the smaller towns in the countryside.

[cometclear]

Originally Posted by stockwiz

My mother, myself, and another co-worker I work with who is from the Chicago suburbs noted the following about people out here in eastern South Dakota/western Minnesota versus from eastern WI/Chicago area... people in and around Chicago/Milwaukee/Madison are what might be called more 'real' or 'in your face' .. they are not afraid to tell you what they really think to your face as much as people out here, who are more polite to your face but then will talk about you behind your back so everyone knows everything about everyone, they just hear all the information indirectly.

People could be described as 'simple' out here, also passive... afraid to stick up for themselves. I prefer eastern WI personally but whatever the differences are not huge especially when you leave the larger metro areas and get into the smaller towns in the countryside.

This is a completely accurate description. I lived in North Dakota before returning to Wisconsin. There is an almost pathological avoidance of saying things bluntly in the Dakotas. At the same time, I've never been around folks so willing to, quite literally, give you the shirts off their back when you are in need. Still, the whole, "not saying what needs to be said" thing was frustrating for me and there was an excessive amount of talking behind peoples' backs rather than just telling them to their faces.

[Hfontaine]

Yes, this is true. I was born in NE WI but grew up mostly and went to college in Chicago, live in Milwaukee now and cant stand doing business with people. Its one thing to have someone say hello at a bank, fine, dont care. But try renting an apartment or buying insurance- these people will talk to you like your grandmother does! It is a very fake kind of niceness which is used to cross boundaries so they can guilt trip you into "relationship building". That is the Wisconsin scheme here, business and friendship are unhealthily intermingled. In Chicago we draw the line between business and friendship, business that gets to the point and friendship that is authentic - no BS!

[SteveC1024]

Originally Posted by The Last Starfighter

A Wisconsinite is miles more prome to tell you just what is on their mind and how they -truly- feel about something, or about you for that matter.

Agreed. I live right on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, and I'm always around people who were born and raised on either side of it.

Yes, there is a "Wisconsin nice", but it is a little different from "Minnesota nice" in precisely the manner you described.