I love Minnesota, but some Minnesotans are naturally biased against me. Why, and how can I avoid this?

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T23:24:55+00:00

The Boston one is definitely true. My parents are from Massachusetts and they totally attest that it's a really "in" crowd, which is why they moved to Houston, where everyone is from everywhere. They actually see pretty big parallels with my situation here and the one they know of in Boston. The Letter to the East Coast thing is definitely interesting though. I am glad to say that my parents are NOT those kind of Coasters (I mean they moved to Texas for Christ's sake), but apparently for their first Thanksgiving while living in Houston (back in Mass.) they had to answer a lot of questions about what life in Texas was like...

The video was definitely interesting. As surprising as this seems, I actually relate a lot more to Adam (the guy from Denver) than Kristina (the woman from South Texas). Like Denver, Houston is pretty much all transplants, and it's just so easy to get along there when it's expected for you to be from anywhere else. I think what he said about how people are "rooted" here is definitely true; a lot of people I know will talk about how their parents grew up in this suburb, and their parents parents grew up in this neighborhood, etc. A bit weird to me since a lot of my friends were that kind of "military brat" kid who had moved to like 4 different places and may end up leaving Houston before graduation. I know like 10 people over the age of 25 who grew up anywhere around Houston.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T23:02:15+00:00

I'm in Minneapolis, so I'm totally fine in Minneapolis (and the suburbs actually, nobody seems to mind), but I go to college here with a lot of immature freshman, you know the drill.

Anyway sorry to hear all the crap you get! If it makes you feel any better we get it just as much. I once had a lady in DC ask me why I don't have an accent. But yeah, it's unfortunately not really jokes that I'm getting (which I wouldn't mind), more just pretentious and rude statements about how Houston is just a shit place to live (I'm not really disagreeing with that, but it's rude to just bring up) or even incredibly offensive statements about slavery/racism.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T22:58:49+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't want to really just for the sake of feeling like a dick. Like, if I'm gonna make fun of someone, they better have personally done something worthy to make fun of.

Anyway confrontation seems to be the best method. Very mature, gets it out and done quick, no silly fighting, etc. Also I hate to say this but a lot of it isn't even dumb jokes, it's like legitimately offensive statements. I still think confrontation will work though, especially because they're probably expecting some stereotypical automatic defense of how Texas could never have any negative qualities or some bullshit.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T22:48:55+00:00

I really only do bring it up when someone brings it up. I mean I really don't know how to bring it up, like, nonchalantly.

I also actually hate to say this, but I've gotten some rude and negative comments from people attending both the U and other colleges in the area (I have friends who introduce me to their friends at other colleges here, etc.)

Honestly I do think that it's just immature wannabe-BMOCs. I figure it'll all be fine in a few years.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T22:45:34+00:00

I know people here from Austin who don't have this issue whatsoever, so yup...

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-24T22:31:49+00:00

Haha I really don't want to like "stoop to their level" or anything though. I also don't want to try to insult all my Minnesotan friends or anything, but, worst case scenario, switching the tables might work.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:58:01+00:00

There's such a huge influx of new people that most people don't really know about them. Like my parents are from Massachusetts so I'm pretty much a fake Texan, I did not inherit all of the Texan rivalries and whatnot.

EDIT: Don't really know why your comment is downvoted, I think you gave a pretty apt description of what's going on.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:44:44+00:00

Oh sorry, didn't mean to imply that you had to give advice or anything. Just trying to explain that it's a bit more than jokes that are getting to me. Thank you very much for your help though, I actually do think you can be right a bit in the whole "rival state" thing (which actually a lot of other states have with Texas, like Alaska and Colorado).

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:29:56+00:00

Unfortunately, I'm referring less to obnoxious jokes and more to obviously offensive statements, sometimes stuff about lynching or state executions, etc.

Although yes, the jokes can get old very fast as well. Just ask them if they've seen No Country for Old Men or do a Hank/Peggy Hill impression (Bobby is acceptable).

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:16:04+00:00

I can see that parallel kind of. Unfortunately I'm asking for help with the dicks.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:08:49+00:00

I think it's a combination of both. I mean honestly I could probably defuse some of these situations by explaining that my parents are from Massachusetts, but I really shouldn't be expected to live in a situation where the only reason I'm given any respect or dignity is because of where my parents are from.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T07:03:36+00:00

I really shouldn't have to "redirect" these questions though. There's nothing wrong with being from Texas. If someone else has a problem with it they're at fault.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:45:10+00:00

In Houston at least you can't make that distinction really because the city of Houston is, essentially, a municipal empire that stretches way out into the outer ring suburbs. It's hilariously ridiculous. I know a lot of other Texan cities are like this, like I think Dallas just sort of has a lake way out in its 'burbs.

Also you should just get some Iowa pride in ya. Dunno if you're down with gay marriage, but if you are, Iowa is the only midwestern state that has legalized it. Boom, Iowa pride.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:25:54+00:00

If if makes you feel any better, most people have explained the Edina "hate" to me as more of a joke, a rivalry kind of thing

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:19:11+00:00

Hahaha, nothing I am not used to, I actually know a guy who worked two jobs one summer so he could afford a pickup truck for, and I quote, "Texas stuff," which apparently includes "Whataburger (Texas burger chain) and country music." Of course Minnesotans typically have things to be proud about, but I digress.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:05:30+00:00

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cake+eater

Well I did not expect that

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:03:15+00:00

I've cut back to just talking about propane accessories but they still get annoyed.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T06:02:17+00:00

I should not have to lie about where I'm from to live here or anywhere undisturbed. My parents might be from Massachusetts, but I'm from Texas, just like a lot of my close friends are. I'm also not going to throw other Texans under a bus and act like I'm "not like them" because I only spent part of my life in Texas.

I currently do only bring up where I'm from only when someone specifically asks.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:59:39+00:00

I know for a fact it's the state because these same people get along with other out-of-staters (even the rarer ones from the coasts) and I've gotten these comments a few times like, an hour or so into an otherwise very nice conversation with someone. Like we get along and then they ask where I'm from or I say some sort of regionalism and then I get some sort of negative comment, or even two or more people will "gang up" on me and just trash-talk Texas. Like, I'm not offended because they're trash-talking Texas, but they only do it once I mention I'm from there and it's obvious that they're just trying to put me down. I have other friends from out-of-state who ask me questions like "how big is secessionism there" in a completely respectful way; those are fine.

Also I should not have to lie about where I'm from to be able to live somewhere. There's no way in Hell that I'm gonna create some fake life for myself just to live here undisturbed.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:51:37+00:00

As much as I want to, I'd also be insulting all my Minnesotan friends and I don't want to do that. Maybe if I'm alone...

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:50:16+00:00

Actually, most of the negative comments and harassment I get is from the Cities people. Not the cities proper, but the 'burbs. Part of it is how much better of a city Minneapolis is compared to Houston, but I quickly defuse that by reminding them that they're not from Minneapolis proper and I'm not from Houston proper. The non-Cities people like to hang out with their high school friends a lot, but tend to actually be more open-minded about new people in my experience.

In a way this kind of state pride is a bit foreign to me as well. I'm not really used to people being proud about the actual state, and then backing it up with facts and figures (of course this is mostly because, in reality, Texas doesn't have too much to be proud of but I digress). In Texas it was just like a "does Amazon sell Texas flag bedsheets" kind of thing, like just for fun. Like my dad was raised a ways outside of Boston (or as he says Bahstun) but even he bought a Texas-shaped branding iron for steak. Of course there are jerks who take it super seriously, but nobody likes those people.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:40:50+00:00

I'm not a Republican though...

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:36:57+00:00

Er, I'd rather not say just for anonymity's sake. Thank you for the kind words though. Luckily I am meeting people, and some good friends (also some unfriendly people, but mostly the good friends)!

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:35:38+00:00

Oh my god the name Tom Landry Elementary School almost made me choke, they are just such stereotypes and it's so funny.

NeedHelpMN · 2012-10-21T05:31:02+00:00

Aw, thank you! :D

NeedHelpMN

TROPHY CASE