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Minnesota nice is the stereotypical behavior of Minnesota residents to provide hospitality and courtesy to others. In recent decades, many have said that Minnesota nice is not as prevalent as it once was, although many visitors from outside the state still report that Minnesotans are generally nicer than others around the United States. A particularly common story is that of a Minnesotan doing his or her best to help a lost traveler, giving precise instructions rather than just a general wave of the hand—even mapping a route out on a sheet of paper in some cases.
Stereotypes of Minnesotans often overlap with qualities of other Midwesterners, including the perception that many are quiet and do not wish to offend others or cause a disruption. Sometimes area residents who move away, or otherwise come in contact with others who don't subscribe to the ideal, say that they have to shed their Minnesota nice in order to interact properly with others or get out of troublesome situations. The generosity of state citizens has gained respect—the heavily-reported flu vaccine shortage of fall 2004 did not strike the state as hard as elsewhere since many people willingly gave up injections for others—but it has also been exploited by criminals in some situations.
Minnesotans also tend to have a fairly quirky sense of humor, laughing and smiling easily. This may help to diffuse tense situations and add to the politeness of state residents. However, this apparently does not translate to all situations, as some studies have been produced showing that Minnesotans are fairly aggressive automobile drivers (at least in the major Twin Cities region).
See also
- Southern hospitality
- How to Talk Minnesotan
- Iowa stubborn
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