What a Minnesotan really means

[haddayr]

Having lived in Minnesota for more than 18 years now, and influenced by the table of Britishisms explained, I have decided to go into public service. You're welcome, transplants to Minnesota!

What a Minnesotan SaysWhat s/he meansWhat the transplant thinks"I'll get right on that!"I will never do this.This will be done very quickly!"Um, I guess that

Comments

[burgundy]

Wow. This is awesome and illuminating and very funny, and I should never, ever go to Minnesota. (I was raised in Texas by New Yorkers. I'm way too nice for NYC but I would be terribly rude in Minnesota.)

[haddayr]

The neat thing about Minnesota is that if you live there long enough, people get used to you. I am given dispensation, now (grew up near Chicago and later on Long Island and NYC, raised by a Southerner and Chicagoan).

[careswen]

I feel that I am given dispensation by those that love me, but I certainly do not get a free pass for being "not from 'round here" by the rest of the natives. Is that what you mean?

[haddayr]

No; I meant truly I get a dispensation from the language and rules in certain situations (although I also understand them far more, so if I flout them, I at least KNOW I'm flouting them.) After a while, my coworkers get used to me being how I am -- and they most definitely do not love me. Likewise neighbors, although I generally make them love me soon enough. :-P

[benrosenbaum]

From my perhaps-not-entirely-parallel-but-somewhat-reminiscent experience in Switzerland, I do think the "I know I am flouting this rule" thing matters a lot, in terms of the reactions I get. I went through at least three distinct phases in dealing with the analogous cultural differences; Phase One in which I would blithely roll over the cultural signals I was wholly ignorant of, driving 80% of the Swiss crazy with consternation or indignation and absolutely delighting the remaining 20% with my (unintentional) rebel radicalism; Phase Two in which I mostly tried to completely act Swiss and suppress my original communication style, with outbursts of rage-filled defiance; and Phase Three in which I had internalized Swiss cultural standards to the extent that while I was constantly breaking the rules, I was doing so with an understanding of the effect I was having, telegraphing nonverbally that I knew I was doing so, and monitoring reactions to be able to handle them appropriately

[haddayr]

AW! I am so glad that you saw it for what it was: a love letter to Minnesota.

I have only been, as I said, 18 years here and I apparently already have much of the accent myself (according to my sisters). Thanks for reading!