Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I want a big change in my life. I am done with college so I am free to go anywhere. I generally prefer the cold with a strong dislike for Mississippi's hot humid summers.
I have heard many great things about Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).
My only concern is the climate. Although I prefer the cold, I am not sure what my tolerance is. I could tolerate the cold in Chicago in January. Will my body get adjusted by the second winter after experiencing the first one in MN?
I have a mixed feeling about Chicagoans because most I met weren't friendly. How are Minnesotans in general? I have heard about Minnesota Nice. Are they still genuinely nice and friendly like most southerners but more reserved, of course?
I happen to be friendly and very forwarding. We Mississippians like to talk about anything including sports, religion, politics, and sharing opinions in a polite way.
We're somewhat reserved at until we get to know you, then you'll get your ear talked off LOL. Like most places, how you treat others is generally how you'll be treated. There are always exceptions of course but they can be found anywhere. You'll see other posts about people saying we're stand-offish and jerks but w/ our northern European backgrounds, we are very reserved. I'm sure your body will adjust after a winter here but you'll always find -20º to be cold, no matter how long you've been here. Personally I'm not sure how anyone lives south of Minnesota because I cannot stand the heat/humidity combo even for the short amount of time we get it here. I myself say welcome (if you decide to move here).
I spent 17 years in a humid, tropical climate before coming back to Minnesota. You'll enjoy the four season climate better, methinks, although the January-spring period does wear on us. Sometimes spring is in March; sometimes in April; occasionally in May.
I want a big change in my life. I am done with college so I am free to go anywhere. I generally prefer the cold with a strong dislike for Mississippi's hot humid summers.
I have heard many great things about Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).
My only concern is the climate. Although I prefer the cold, I am not sure what my tolerance is. I could tolerate the cold in Chicago in January. Will my body get adjusted by the second winter after experiencing the first one in MN?
Yes. I lived about 30 years in the Twin Cities, and I found the winters much more comfortable overall than Chicago's. The genuinely cold weather in Minnesota is usually associated with Canadian high pressure systems, which usually means sunny days, a dry air mass, and relatively calm winds. 10 below zero when there's no humidity and no wind, and the sun is shining on you, is a piece of cake, especially when compared to Chicago.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MS Born and Bred
I have a mixed feeling about Chicagoans because most I met weren't friendly. How are Minnesotans in general? I have heard about Minnesota Nice. Are they still genuinely nice and friendly like most southerners but more reserved, of course?
Are Minnesotans still genuinely nice and friendly? Well, no, but then that question implies that there was once a time when they were genuinely nice and friendly. There never was such a time. I live in Kentucky now, and I often say that the people here are as genuinely nice and friendly as the people in Minnesota brag about being.
People in the South tend to be genuinely nice because that's just the way they are; it wouldn't occur to them to be anything else, even if they knew how. People in Minnesota tend to be pleasant, easygoing, and superficially polite because it's their passive-aggressive defense mechanism to prevent any potential confrontation, which people in Minnesota avoid as if they were rattlesnakes.
You get used to it after a while, but coming from the South - where people really are genuinely nice - you will notice the difference.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MS Born and Bred
I happen to be friendly and very forwarding. We Mississippians like to talk about anything including sports, religion, politics, and sharing opinions in a polite way.
Good luck with that one. Most Minnesotans would rather tear their tongues out with red hot pliers than share honest opinions, especially with a stranger. They don't want to say anything that would rock the boat or draw attention to themselves.
The first time you're in a group of Minnesotans, watch all of their faces when you say something that's even mildly, borderline controversial. It's comical, watching their facial expressions - "What did he just say? Was that an OK thing to say? How am I supposed to react to that? Maybe someone else will say something first, and I won't have to." After a painful, uncomfortable moment, the bravest of them may venture, "Well... that's different," in a cautiously neutral tone of voice, so as not to give any indication that they're criticizing you or supporting you until they've had a chance to measure the reactions of the other Minnesotans.
Once they've cracked the door open with that courageous declaration, there'll be a few lame, "witty" jokes, punctuated by little flurries of nervous laughter as they feel around for the consensus. They'll watch one another's facial expressions, and after a few awkward seconds, someone will probably find a way to steer the conversation around the faux pas without anyone having to make a declarative statement either in agreement or disagreement.
To put it bluntly, if you enjoy speaking frankly about any subject at all - much less genuinely controversial issues such as religion or politics - you'd do well to make friends with people who are not native Minnesotans. Even if you are somehow able to get Minnesotans to actually go on record on issues like that, you'll quickly realize that by the end of the conversation, you don't know if they were saying what they really thought, or just what they thought they needed to say in order to avoid having to disagree with you.
Other than that, it's really not a bad place to live. I miss it a lot, actually. The cultural environment is almost without parallel, the scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities are among the finest in the country, and it's just a genuinely beautiful area. There are a lot of things I really miss about it.... just not the people, unfortunately.
In response to Albert's replies about us being passive-aggressive a-holes, like most places you'll find groups like that. I usually tell you what I'm thinking and I find that most of my friends are like that. If we like you, you're in w/ out any problem and we'll go have a cold one or go fishing/hunting. If we don't like you, you'll be treated respectfully if we work with you but you'll never be invited to any backyard BBQ's. I'm not sure where he was living or hanging out but I have friends that are not from here and they are just as well adjusted to the culture as anyone who has lived here all their lives. I find that those that come here thinking that a) they are cooler because they're from somewhere else or b) We're just snobbish rubes not worth getting to know, will have a tough time. Get to know the culture and find groups where you'll have something in common w/ others. You'll have no problems. In fact, I like getting to know someone that is from somewhere else. It gives me something to talk about with them and a chance to get to know them better.
In response to Albert's replies about us being passive-aggressive a-holes, like most places you'll find groups like that. I usually tell you what I'm thinking and I find that most of my friends are like that. If we like you, you're in w/ out any problem and we'll go have a cold one or go fishing/hunting. If we don't like you, you'll be treated respectfully if we work with you but you'll never be invited to any backyard BBQ's. I'm not sure where he was living or hanging out but I have friends that are not from here and they are just as well adjusted to the culture as anyone who has lived here all their lives. I find that those that come here thinking that a) they are cooler because they're from somewhere else or b) We're just snobbish rubes not worth getting to know, will have a tough time. Get to know the culture and find groups where you'll have something in common w/ others. You'll have no problems. In fact, I like getting to know someone that is from somewhere else. It gives me something to talk about with them and a chance to get to know them better.
I agree, this is more accurate then Albert's reply. I am not a native of Minnesota; I moved here some twenty-five years ago and adjusted just fine. That could be because I am a Midwesterner, I don't know. I will say that no matter where I have lived or visited I don't get into conversations with people about politics or religion. I personally think people run off at the mouth too soon and too much about those things leaving themselves wide open for judgment from others. I never ask people what their views are on politics and religion because I don't think it is any of my business initially. There is time for those conversations later, once you are closer friends with them.
In response to Albert's replies about us being passive-aggressive a-holes...
Now why would you use such a term? I certainly didn't, and wouldn't. There is a middle ground you know, between being people "a-holes" and not being quite as nice and friendly as they advertise themselves. An enormous middle ground, in fact, an absolutely huge middle ground. The fact that you can't seem to imagine any other interpretation other than that you've been called an "a-hole" says an awful lot about the "Minnesota Nice" mythos.
Yes. I lived about 30 years in the Twin Cities, and I found the winters much more comfortable overall than Chicago's. The genuinely cold weather in Minnesota is usually associated with Canadian high pressure systems, which usually means sunny days, a dry air mass, and relatively calm winds. 10 below zero when there's no humidity and no wind, and the sun is shining on you, is a piece of cake, especially when compared to Chicago.
Are Minnesotans still genuinely nice and friendly? Well, no, but then that question implies that there was once a time when they were genuinely nice and friendly. There never was such a time. I live in Kentucky now, and I often say that the people here are as genuinely nice and friendly as the people in Minnesota brag about being.
People in the South tend to be genuinely nice because that's just the way they are; it wouldn't occur to them to be anything else, even if they knew how. People in Minnesota tend to be pleasant, easygoing, and superficially polite because it's their passive-aggressive defense mechanism to prevent any potential confrontation, which people in Minnesota avoid as if they were rattlesnakes.
You get used to it after a while, but coming from the South - where people really are genuinely nice - you will notice the difference.
Good luck with that one. Most Minnesotans would rather tear their tongues out with red hot pliers than share honest opinions, especially with a stranger. They don't want to say anything that would rock the boat or draw attention to themselves.
The first time you're in a group of Minnesotans, watch all of their faces when you say something that's even mildly, borderline controversial. It's comical, watching their facial expressions - "What did he just say? Was that an OK thing to say? How am I supposed to react to that? Maybe someone else will say something first, and I won't have to." After a painful, uncomfortable moment, the bravest of them may venture, "Well... that's different," in a cautiously neutral tone of voice, so as not to give any indication that they're criticizing you or supporting you until they've had a chance to measure the reactions of the other Minnesotans.
Once they've cracked the door open with that courageous declaration, there'll be a few lame, "witty" jokes, punctuated by little flurries of nervous laughter as they feel around for the consensus. They'll watch one another's facial expressions, and after a few awkward seconds, someone will probably find a way to steer the conversation around the faux pas without anyone having to make a declarative statement either in agreement or disagreement.
To put it bluntly, if you enjoy speaking frankly about any subject at all - much less genuinely controversial issues such as religion or politics - you'd do well to make friends with people who are not native Minnesotans. Even if you are somehow able to get Minnesotans to actually go on record on issues like that, you'll quickly realize that by the end of the conversation, you don't know if they were saying what they really thought, or just what they thought they needed to say in order to avoid having to disagree with you.
Other than that, it's really not a bad place to live. I miss it a lot, actually. The cultural environment is almost without parallel, the scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities are among the finest in the country, and it's just a genuinely beautiful area. There are a lot of things I really miss about it.... just not the people, unfortunately.
I agree, this is more accurate then Albert's reply. I am not a native of Minnesota; I moved here some twenty-five years ago and adjusted just fine. That could be because I am a Midwesterner, I don't know. I will say that no matter where I have lived or visited I don't get into conversations with people about politics or religion. I personally think people run off at the mouth too soon and too much about those things leaving themselves wide open for judgment from others. I never ask people what their views are on politics and religion because I don't think it is any of my business initially. There is time for those conversations later, once you are closer friends with them.
Good. Then you've found a place where you feel right at home. In a state where most other people feel the same way about what is and is not an acceptable topic for casual conversation.
The OP, however, was asking about whether their conversational style would be a good fit in Minnesota. From what they described, it sounds as though it would not, and you seem to be confirming this. So how was my reply not accurate?
OP, if you do move to Minnesota, you're already learning a valuable lesson from this thread - when in Minnesota, don't ever say a disparaging word about "Minnesota Nice." It's just not.... well.... nice.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
