I feel like a stranger in a strange land... (Milwaukee: living, education)

[NicePolishBoy]

Here is what an out-of-stater told me. Wisconsinites, or maybe just Oshkoshians, will be helpful giving you directions because they want you to leave. Now, this friend really means people from Oshkosh, but the point is there are some places in Wisconsin where they don't want outsiders. They seemed threatened by people with different experiences. This isn't true everywhere in Wisconsin, but it does seem more common here than states east of here (Illinois, Ohio, NY, Penn). A lot depends on the community.

[#Littledog]

Not all people from Wisconsin are like this but many seem to think this way...... (I'm talking about the Milwaukee area-I haven't lived elsewhere in Wisconsin).....They have never left the state or could not imagine ever moving. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact it's quite endearing as people really do put their family and childhood ties first. I just think some people feel threatened or put off if others have had more worldly experiences. (almost resentful at times-maybe they deep down wished they had traveled more or moved around a bit but since they didn't or won't they can be a little standoffish to people who are more adventurous??) I'm only making assumptions and I don't want to offend anyone. For example, my husband and I got some raised eyebrows for visiting our friend in Paris! Doesn't that seem odd?!!? Some would say things like, "there's so much Wisconsin has to offer in the summer, why leave the country for a vacation?" or, "I never had a desire to go to France-it just doesn't interest me". I find that incredible and it's not like we were going on and on about France-they just felt the need to throw in their 2 cents. Or some people are shocked that I'm not a Packer fan-I didn't grow up here so why should I be a Packer fan? I don't dislike the Packers but because I don't stop everything for a Packer's game (in fact, that's the best time to go Christmas shopping ), it's like I can't be trusted. Stuff like that is a little different.....Just some observations-and like I said, it's not all Wisconsin people just many that I've known.

[JMadison]

Dude, seriously... Boston is way more "academic" than Wisconsin near as I can tell.

In Boston you might discuss or debate politics. In Wisconsin it is more likely the people live it. In Boston it's coffee shop talk. In Wisconsin it might just be fightin' words.

That's just basic a basic city v. rural cultural difference.

Sorry that this makes me laugh. It's just the old gelleschaft v. geimschaft paradox/dichotomy.

[suecen]

Littledog - your observations are quite true. I've lived here all my life but actually do like to travel and love seeing new states, cities, etc. I have friends here that think this is the only state in the union. They have absolutely no desire to see anything else. Sometimes I think they are more content than I because I would like to see everything out there (know that won't happen in one lifetime). When you tell them you're going here or there they are just in shock. The first question they ask is "Who are you visiting there?" When I say I'm not visiting anybody they can't believe I would leave the state. So, IMO, what you are witnessing is right on!!

[sdeweese]

Originally Posted by JMadison

Sorry that this makes me laugh. It's just the old gelleschaft v. geimschaft paradox/dichotomy.

My German is rusty JMadison. Did you mean gesellschaft v. geheimschaft? Public vs. private situation?

[karfar]

[quote=suecen;4966234] I have friends here that think this is the only state in the union. They have absolutely no desire to see anything else. [quote]
I can't imagine being friends w/people who are so close-minded.

[mgrey]

I would have to say that it is part of the Midwest culture. I grew up in Maryland and politics, etc were common subjects at school, home, etc... When I moved to the Midwest I did notice that the majority of people do not talk about "things of substance" but rather football, the kids (of course this subject has lots of substance), etc... I'm starting to get use to it but hoping I don't get so use to it that I forget to voice my opinion ...

[suecen]

Yeah I guess that's why I kind of do my own thing. These gals never traveled as kids either so you could go either way on that one - do only what you've ever known or be curious and venture out into unknown places. My daughter is in college now but she has been so many places - I always felt that was an education in itself and glad we had those trips together and memories! Maybe it's just me but the majority of people I know here can't imagine being anywhere else. Not me.

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by suecen

Yeah I guess that's why I kind of do my own thing. These gals never traveled as kids either so you could go either way on that one - do only what you've ever known or be curious and venture out into unknown places. My daughter is in college now but she has been so many places - I always felt that was an education in itself and glad we had those trips together and memories! Maybe it's just me but the majority of people I know here can't imagine being anywhere else. Not me.

Nope it's not just you. We have noticed the same thing.

[slamont61]

You just need to find a better place to hang. I don't know what town you are in but it sounds like the place is limited in it's customers.

Most places I went, I'd get my ear talked off. I lived in the Lake Country area in Norhtern Waukesha County. There are several places I enjoyed stopping in for some conversation and a few I'd simply bypass.