How To Become A Minnesotan: This Is The Ultimate, Need-To-Know Guide!
🌽 From mastering the art of ‘Minnesota Nice’ to surviving the frigid winters, this cheeky listicle will teach how to become a Minnesotan. 😂 #MinnesotaLife #LandOf10000Lakes #Minnesota
Winona, Minnesota – So, you’ve decided to embark on the journey of becoming a Minnesotan? Well, you’re in for a treat! In this helpful listicle, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to transform yourself into a true resident of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. From mastering the art of “Minnesota Nice” to developing an unbreakable bond with hotdish, get ready to immerse yourself in the quirky and endearing world of Minnesota culture.
How to Become a Minnesotan
1. Practice your “Minnesota Nice” – this means being extra friendly, polite and helpful. One of the most well-known stereotypes about Minnesota is the idea that people from Minnesota are unfailingly polite and friendly, sometimes to a fault.
2. Speak in the iconic “Minnesota Accent,” often characterized by elongated vowels and distinct pronunciation.
3. Learn to love extreme weather conditions, including cold winters and hot summers. But mostly cold winters.
4. When you are referring to soda, call it “pop”. This is the term commonly used in Minnesota to refer to carbonated soft drinks, like Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
5. Debate about how many lakes are really in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Spoiler: there’s more than 10,000. You’ll get bonus points for having a favorite lake (the more obscure and out-of-the-way, the better).
So…how many lakes are there? For a detailed exploration into Minnesota’s lake count, read our blog article: How Many Lakes in Minnesota? Debunking the Myth of 10,000 Lakes.
6. Pretend you love ice fishing (the tradition of fishing on frozen lakes during the winter) even if you hate it.
7. Learn to love hockey, it’s considered the state’s favorite sport. Or, at least, pretend to love hockey. In the summer, play broom hockey.
8. Say uff-da often…and with passion. “Uff-da” is a common expression in Minnesota and is often used to express surprise or exasperation. It’s also a nice way of replacing simple swear words.
9. Also use the phrase “you betcha” frequently. This is a common phrase in Minnesota and is often used to indicate agreement or affirmation.
10. Learn how to make hotdish, a casserole dish often consisting of ground meat, vegetables, and a creamy or cheesy topping. The term “hotdish” is a description of the dish’s temperature and form, as it is served hot and has a soft, spoonable texture.
“Hotdish” is a regional word that is not widely used outside of the Upper Midwest, where it has become a staple of church suppers, family dinners, and potluck gatherings. Here in Minnesota, hotdish is often associated with comfort food and is seen as a way to bring people together over a warm, hearty meal.
11. Attend the Minnesota State Fair (1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108), one of the largest and most popular state fairs in the United States. Bonus points if you freeze buckets of Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar (1795 W Dan Patch Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113)…at least enough to last you through the rest of the year.
12. Go snowmobiling. There are extensive trails and plenty of opportunities for winter recreation.
13. Become a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, the state’s beloved professional football team. Love them, no matter what.
14. Learn a handful of corny jokes. The cornier the better. By the way do you know what you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question?
15. Become a Lutheran, or at the very least, attend a Lutheran church service every Christmas and Easter. When speaking of your new faith, be sure to pronounce yourself as a “Loo-ther-an.” This is how many Minnesotans pronounce the word “Lutheran,” with an elongated “o” sound. By the way, do you know why you can’t take a turkey to church? Because they use fowl language!
16. Visit the iconic Mall of America (60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425) frequently, it’s one of the largest shopping malls in the world, after all. But be sure to complain about how much you don’t like it.
17. Try to eat lutefisk. Lutefisk is a traditional Norwegian dish that is popular in Minnesota, especially among those with Scandinavian heritage. It is made from dried whitefish, usually cod or ling, which is soaked in water and lye for several days. The lye solution breaks down the fish’s proteins, making it gelatinous and giving it a distinctive, slightly sweet flavor.
After soaking in the lye solution, the fish is rinsed in water and then boiled or baked. It is often served with boiled potatoes, melted butter, and sometimes white sauce, mustard, or other condiments. Lutefisk is known for its pungent aroma and its unique texture, which can be slimy and gelatinous. It is considered an acquired taste and is not to everyone’s liking.
However, for those who enjoy it, lutefisk is a cherished part of their cultural heritage and a traditional dish that is often served at holiday gatherings and other special occasions.
18. Listen to Prince. The legendary musician, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was born in Minneapolis. He is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his music has influenced many genres, including funk, R&B and pop.
19. Listen to Bob Dylan. Another iconic musician and songwriter from Minnesota, Bob Dylan was born in Duluth. He is known for his poetic lyrics, distinctive voice and contributions to the folk and rock music genres. For the ultimate Dylan fan experience, consider snapping a selfie in front of the jaw-dropping “Bob Dylan Mural” – located on the corner of 5th and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis. It was painted by legendary street artist Eduardo Kobra. The five-story tall tribute to Bob Dylan is the largest work of public art he’s created in the United States.
Minnesota: come for the kindness, stay because it takes too long to say goodbye!
My hubby Jack’s favorite Minnesota joke.
20. Perfect the art of the “Minnesota Goodbye.” The “Minnesota Goodbye” is a cultural phenomenon that refers to the extended farewell process that is commonly observed in Minnesota and other Midwestern states. It involves a series of drawn-out goodbyes and conversations that can add a considerable amount of time to the end of social gatherings, events or visits.
The “Minnesota Goodbye” can involve multiple rounds of saying goodbye, with each round becoming increasingly prolonged and emotional. It may involve walking to the door, standing in the doorway, and then continuing the conversation for several more minutes before finally saying goodbye again and leaving.
Speaking of goodbyes: we recently visited the last video rental store in Minnesota. Join us on a video tour as we say goodbye to an end of an era, or read the related blog article.
Conclusion
Congratulations! By following these tongue-in-cheek tips, you’re well on your way to becoming a bona fide Minnesotan. Remember to always keep a warm coat handy, perfect your “ope” game, and never forget the power of a good ole’ fashioned hotdish. Welcome to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where the mosquitoes are big, the winters are cold, and the people are as friendly as can be. You betcha!
🗣 Do you feel prepared to be a Minnesotan now? Are you a local that has any other suggestions? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
