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25 Truths About Minnesota From An Outsider

Minnesota might be weird, but it's a good weird.

Devon Bowker

Dec 12, 2016

Saint Cloud State University

1631

25 Truths About Minnesota From An Outsider

Don't get me wrong, I love Minnesota. I've lived in a few different states but at this point, I've lived in the great state of Minnesota for over half of my life. While I consider myself a Minnesotan, I'm not a native to this state which has given me a unique perspective on the many quirks and oddities of the Land of 10,000 lakes. Here are 25 things that outsiders can almost immediately notice that'll make them say "uff da".

1. The 'Minnesota Goodbye' has got to be one of the most torturous experiences ever. Hey Donald Trump! You want to bring torture back? Put people in a room with Minnesotans and don't even bother guarding the door. They'll be stuck in small-talk mode until their heads explode.

2. What is the deal with this non-sense?

3. Electing a dog and a kid are bad enough, but Jesse Ventura? Why?

4. The saying is "Minnesota Nice" but "Minnesota Passive-Aggressive" is probably more accurate. (BONUS GIF)

5. "Uff Da" is a thing that exist and I don't know why.

6. People say "I'm going to the cabin for the weekend" when what they really mean is "I'm going to a SECOND FREAKING HOUSE".

7. Unpopular opinion: The state fair is super fun and really impressive, but the need to put everything on a stick or carve faces into butter is just...odd. Plus, lot's of state fairs put food on a stick! Why does Minnesota act like it has a copyright on putting food on a stick!

8. "We don't sound like that!", said the girl with the thickest Minnesotan accent you've ever heard.

9. People go to Target just to walk around.

10. What lake you go to is an indicator of social status.

11. Speaking of Prince, if a celebrity is from MN, no Minnesotan will let you forget it.

12. There are way too many Super America's.

13. Minnesotans may hate the Packers, but they hate Iowa more.

14. Walking into the Mall of America for the first time is like

15. The Boundary Water Canoe Area is a god damn national treasure.

16. and so is the rest of the north shore

17. Minnesotans are either in constant denial of the weather

18. or extremely well acclimated

19. Minnesotans can use anything to get snow and ice off their car. Got a credit card? No problem!

20. Small talk consists of one or more of the following: "Gosh, this weather!", "How bout them Twins/Gophers/Vikings/Wild/Timberwolves/etc.". So if you don't watch sports and the weather has been mild, you are out of luck.

21. Hockey Hair "flow" is something that people are actually proud of.

22. 3 words: Tator Tot Hotdish

23. Wayzata, New Prague, Mille Lacs, the list goes on. You can almost bet that you are going to mispronounce multiple Minnesota city names

24. Despite being obviously located in the north, that doesn't stop farm-town or central Minnesotans from flying the confederate flag. First off, it's disgusting. Second, the south lost. Third, it makes no sense.

25. Despite all of Minnesota's quirks...

Stay cool Minnesota! Get it? Cool? Because of the winters and stuff?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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25 Truths About Minnesota From An Outsider

Minnesota might be weird, but it's a good weird.

1. The 'Minnesota Goodbye' has got to be one of the most torturous experiences ever. Hey Donald Trump! You want to bring torture back? Put people in a room with Minnesotans and don't even bother guarding the door. They'll be stuck in small-talk mode until their heads explode.

2. What is the deal with this non-sense?

3. Electing a dog and a kid are bad enough, but Jesse Ventura? Why?

4. The saying is "Minnesota Nice" but "Minnesota Passive-Aggressive" is probably more accurate. (BONUS GIF)

5. "Uff Da" is a thing that exist and I don't know why.

6. People say "I'm going to the cabin for the weekend" when what they really mean is "I'm going to a SECOND FREAKING HOUSE".

7. Unpopular opinion: The state fair is super fun and really impressive, but the need to put everything on a stick or carve faces into butter is just...odd. Plus, lot's of state fairs put food on a stick! Why does Minnesota act like it has a copyright on putting food on a stick!

8. "We don't sound like that!", said the girl with the thickest Minnesotan accent you've ever heard.

9. People go to Target just to walk around.

10. What lake you go to is an indicator of social status.

11. Speaking of Prince, if a celebrity is from MN, no Minnesotan will let you forget it.

12. There are way too many Super America's.

13. Minnesotans may hate the Packers, but they hate Iowa more.

14. Walking into the Mall of America for the first time is like

17. Minnesotans are either in constant denial of the weather

18. or extremely well acclimated

19. Minnesotans can use anything to get snow and ice off their car. Got a credit card? No problem!

21. Hockey Hair "flow" is something that people are actually proud of.

22. 3 words: Tator Tot Hotdish

23. Wayzata, New Prague, Mille Lacs, the list goes on. You can almost bet that you are going to mispronounce multiple Minnesota city names

24. Despite being obviously located in the north, that doesn't stop farm-town or central Minnesotans from flying the confederate flag. First off, it's disgusting. Second, the south lost. Third, it makes no sense.

25. Despite all of Minnesota's quirks...

Stay cool Minnesota! Get it? Cool? Because of the winters and stuff?

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!