Following on from my recent visit to Minnesota a few observations occurred to me and I thought I would just share them. Not sure why, or if anyone would be interested in me ramblings but, well, you're getting them anyway!
Those of you that know me, will know I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the State 4 times now. Very lucky at that I am too! There is so much to say about the place and so many observations that I decided to do little episodic blogs rather than one immense book-like one that I am often want to write! Overall I love the place and the people but today I would just like to share some observations about the gentle kind folks of MN (or at least parts of it!).
* Disclaimer!!* The following are, naturally, generalisations. I hate 'generalisations' but, not having met ALL the good folks of a State practically the size of England, it is hard to do otherwise! Maybe that is something to aim for! These are also MY observations as a tourist English numpty so be warned! No Offence Meant!!!!Also, having never visited any other State (although I did see Wisconsin from afar....hmm Ticharu...) I can't say if these are a common to just the State or are national issues!
Conversation and language...
When I first visited MN, I didn't really expect much difference in conversation, language and body language. 'Heck' I thought, we all speak a similar language, watch the same films and have had 'Maccy D's' and Burger King take over. In my ignorance I even thought the culture was broadly similar although I was worried about the stereotypes we Brits are subjected to in films and the media. You know, the load, brash and in yer face types! But no, this was not to be!!Quietly poised, quietly spoken and blimey, I would even say reserved people with a nice touch of eccentricity to boot.
The first thing I noticed was the pace and format of a conversation. It is slow....plenty of gaps to be left for pauses and reflective thought. Uncomfortable for those that don't like silence, but not meant to be so! When I first visited I thought it was just me, but as I visit more often, I have noticed it more. You just have to wait, wait and wait for a response. But it will come eventually. I have decided people (not all naturally!) from MN are somethin akin to Zen Buddhist. An example;
MN version
- 'How are you Mike, its been ages...'
- 'Ya...fer sure' *nods head*
- 5 minute silence...and serene looks
- 'I'm fine Frank, I won the lottery the other week donchya-no...'
- 'Oh right...Ooftah' *calm nod of head*
- 10 minutes of calm silence and serene reflected poise...
- 'So, how's the family Mike'
- 'Fine'
- A few more minutes silence
- 'Well it's been nice chatting with you, we'll have to catch up again soon'
Both amble off to calmly and quietly carry on their own way...
UK Version (obviously not ALL conversations go thus like...)
- 'Hey! Mike me ole mukker, how are yer? Bloody hell it's been ages...'
- straight in conversation mode
- F**k me Frank, where yer been??? Ain't seen you down the boozer for a while!'
- Nah, stopped going since the smoking ban came in didn't I??
- Well, yer'll have to come back t'pub. They got a heated patio for smokers now and dead fit bar maid...'
- *eyes widen* 'Blimey, I'm in mate....and F**k me, If I ain't gone and won the lottery last week. I'm minted!'
- F**K** ell!!!!!!! Yer definitely in there mate. Let's go for a pint!
- *run off to the nearest pub with patio heater*
etc etc etc...
A bit extreme I know but, it IS something I noticed. The whole stereotype of loud, brash and in your face American folks was smashed as I considered the fact that the reserved, quiet and refined stereotypeBrits may have might be more fitting to the folks of MN!
Excitability and Humour....
Following on from that, I found, as can be seen above, excitability isn't about bouncing up and down or dancing round like a cat on heat for some folks. It is a quiet, restrained nod of the head and maybe, just maybe, a smile!! This is another thing to get used and not be offended by if someone doesn't laugh in buckets at the amazing joke or comment you have just made! Tell a joke that IS funny but don't expect raucouslaughter! You may be greeted with a smile, or a slight turn up of the lips and a comment like '..funny'. It isn't being sarcastic...it can be translated as 'that is bloody hilarious!!!!'
That said, there are exceptions to the rule! I remember my first visit to MN. It was also my first encounter in a shop. A futon shop. Never have I seen someone so excited (well Minnesota excited) about futons than the woman working there! Wide eyed as she discussed all the possiblilities of a futon and the variety mattresses available. That said, she was a sales person and a wide eyed, chatty one at that!
Eccentricity...
I LOVE eccentricity and is possibly one of the reasons why I have developed such a fondness for MN and its' people. For me, MN is an eccentric place to visit anyway. But the folks there are, I find, so wonderfully eccentric. Maybe that's just because I come from a very different world, or maybe it is just the case but, whatever, I love it. Examples include:
The wide eyed woman selling Futons
The cabin owner who said he liked to have his nipples bitten (duly noted in my first blog on MN),
Leo
Terry Gilliam
The massive cherry and spoon statue
The massive Paul Bunyan and Blue Ox statue
A sandpaper museum....
There are many more to mention and another blog to follow on my observations on this matter will follow! More blogs to follow will include...
* Interstates and roads
* Public restroom/toilets (them doors..or lack of!!!)
* Flora and Fauna
* Shops and shopping
To mention but a few!!
Again *disclaimer* These are my observations and as a consequence come from a numpty!!!
See yer soon!
Blessings
xx
