Minnesota Nice

Whether it’s holding the door for someone walking in behind you (body practice), letting a car cut in front of you so they can make their exit (body practice), or giving the guy in front of you an extra quarter because he hadn’t realized vending machine prices have once again increased (body practice), we are all a part of the “Minnesota Nice.”  This cultural life style of “Minnesota Nice” is creating docile bodies.

Last week I met a guy who is from Texas.  He even mentioned to me that people in MN were nicer than those in TX (and he also mentioned how sad he was that we didn’t say “Ya, sure, ya betchya” and “MinnesOOOta” – but that’s a whole nother discussion.)

I also know a girl from Chicago who said the first thing she noticed when she moved here was that people in Minnesota don’t know how to use their horns – we are just too nice to honk at people!

Other states and countries opinion’s about Minnesotans are what create Minnesota Nice.  We have a standard to uphold and people expect us to be nice, creating a social norm.  This social norm is what is creating docile bodies – people are regulated by the norms of their cultural life.

I know that if I encounter someone who doesn’t hold the door open for me, especially if I am carrying something or if I'm having a bad day, then I get frustrated and think, “Really?  You didn’t see me coming, struggling with this big box?”  This means that outside pressures make people feel like they have to be nicer, or otherwise they will be thought of as a jerk.