Minnesota is full of people from every walk of life. No matter which region of the state you visit, you’ll find incredible people from a huge variety of backgrounds. But no matter where you’re from, after you spend years in Minnesota, you become accustomed to some habits that, once they sink in, can never be unlearned. Minnesotans everywhere can relate to these 11 undeniable habits that they just can’t quit.
- Getting excited when the temperature rises.
Tony Webster/Flickr After a cold snap finally lets up, what’s the most Minnesotan thing you can do? Go outside, of course. Forty degrees is something to celebrate in Minnesota, and we can’t help our excitement when the sun starts to shine.
- Taking forever to say goodbye.
Max Lebram/Flickr Are you really leaving if you haven’t spent 30 minutes saying goodbye? There’s always just one more conversation to squeeze in, and before you know it, you’re the last one to leave. That’s the Minnesota goodbye.
- Driving dangerously on icy roads.
Ruin Raider/Flickr Minnesotans were recently named the second-worst drivers in the United States. Whether or not you believe that to be true, many Minnesotans do have a tendency to play things a little too risky when the snow starts to fall. These drivers follow a bit too closely or drive a little too quickly, making the unsafe conditions even more scary. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who are too scared to drive in the snow. Both dangerous, both undeniably Minnesotan.
- Never, ever taking the last piece of anything.
clappstar/Flickr It’s just not polite. Instead, we prefer to break the final slice into infinitely smaller pieces until nothing but crumbs are left. It’s the Minnesota way, and we’re too polite to change.
- Dressing inappropriately for the weather.
Lisa Moffatt/Flickr If you aren’t one of those Minnesotans who bundles up, you’re probably one who pays no attention to the weather at all. Wearing flip flops and shorts in the snow isn’t the smartest thing you can do, but people do it. Are they used to it? Trying to prove a point? Whatever it is, this habit is as Minnesotan as you can get.
- Playing Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.
LouisvilleUSACE/Flickr Never mind that the rest of the country calls it Duck, Duck, Goose. This classic childhood game will forever be about ducks. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t change. The habit has sunk in too deep.
- Overpreparing for the weather.
Caribb/Flickr Is it going to be hot? Better pack six bottles of sunscreen. Cold? Add winter boots and a heavy coat to the bag. And if we’re not sure what the weather will be? Better bring a little bit of everything.
- Being nice.
leyla.a/Flickr All in all, Minnesotans are a friendly people. We go out of our way to help others, and that shows especially in the winter months when car troubles plague even the most well-prepared people. You can trust a Minnesotan to have your back, and that will never change.
- Being “nice.”
Ted/Flickr While we do pile on the good deeds, Minnesotans are known for being a little mean when it comes to being nice. It’s notoriously hard for outsiders to join a Minnesotan’s inner circle, with insincere invites an unfortunate part of our reputation. But once the ice thaws, Minnesotans are the friendliest people you’ll meet.
- Discussing the weather at every opportunity.
Nic McPhee/Flickr In Minnesota, the weather is a hot topic. Will it be warm enough to go outside? Will snow cause a rough commute? These are important discussion points, and you can bet any Minnesotan will have something to say.
- Bringing a hotdish to any and every occasion.
srsldy/Flickr Need an easy dish to bring to the next potluck? Hotdish is your answer. You can go with a classic tater tot or invent your own creation. As long as you have some knowledge of ingredient pairings, your creation is guaranteed to have some fans — especially if you serve it in Minnesota.
What do you think? Are there any other undeniable habits all Minnesotans share? Let us know in the comments below!
Tony Webster/Flickr
After a cold snap finally lets up, what’s the most Minnesotan thing you can do? Go outside, of course. Forty degrees is something to celebrate in Minnesota, and we can’t help our excitement when the sun starts to shine.
Max Lebram/Flickr
Are you really leaving if you haven’t spent 30 minutes saying goodbye? There’s always just one more conversation to squeeze in, and before you know it, you’re the last one to leave. That’s the Minnesota goodbye.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
Minnesotans were recently named the second-worst drivers in the United States. Whether or not you believe that to be true, many Minnesotans do have a tendency to play things a little too risky when the snow starts to fall. These drivers follow a bit too closely or drive a little too quickly, making the unsafe conditions even more scary. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who are too scared to drive in the snow. Both dangerous, both undeniably Minnesotan.
clappstar/Flickr
It’s just not polite. Instead, we prefer to break the final slice into infinitely smaller pieces until nothing but crumbs are left. It’s the Minnesota way, and we’re too polite to change.
Lisa Moffatt/Flickr
If you aren’t one of those Minnesotans who bundles up, you’re probably one who pays no attention to the weather at all. Wearing flip flops and shorts in the snow isn’t the smartest thing you can do, but people do it. Are they used to it? Trying to prove a point? Whatever it is, this habit is as Minnesotan as you can get.
LouisvilleUSACE/Flickr
Never mind that the rest of the country calls it Duck, Duck, Goose. This classic childhood game will forever be about ducks. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t change. The habit has sunk in too deep.
Caribb/Flickr
Is it going to be hot? Better pack six bottles of sunscreen. Cold? Add winter boots and a heavy coat to the bag. And if we’re not sure what the weather will be? Better bring a little bit of everything.
leyla.a/Flickr
All in all, Minnesotans are a friendly people. We go out of our way to help others, and that shows especially in the winter months when car troubles plague even the most well-prepared people. You can trust a Minnesotan to have your back, and that will never change.
Ted/Flickr
While we do pile on the good deeds, Minnesotans are known for being a little mean when it comes to being nice. It’s notoriously hard for outsiders to join a Minnesotan’s inner circle, with insincere invites an unfortunate part of our reputation. But once the ice thaws, Minnesotans are the friendliest people you’ll meet.
Nic McPhee/Flickr
In Minnesota, the weather is a hot topic. Will it be warm enough to go outside? Will snow cause a rough commute? These are important discussion points, and you can bet any Minnesotan will have something to say.
srsldy/Flickr
Need an easy dish to bring to the next potluck? Hotdish is your answer. You can go with a classic tater tot or invent your own creation. As long as you have some knowledge of ingredient pairings, your creation is guaranteed to have some fans — especially if you serve it in Minnesota.
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