Minneapolis-St. Paul Ranked #4th Snobbiest City. (Hilltop, Trail: college, casinos, homeless)

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by Drewcifer

If high end shopping, classical music, theater, tech-savviness, good coffee and eco-consciousness make us bad then so be it.

This is more a reflection of the anti-intellectual, anti-cultural cultural thread that runs deeply through America than it is a negative statement about us.

This is pretty much spot on to what I was going to say.

I have no problems claiming snobbery based on this list. We were marked on this list for, among other things: intelligence and literacy, a thriving indie-music scene, a booming list of craft beers, cleanliness, fitness, and being outdoorsy.

If this is snobbery and snobbery is bad...where are these "down-to-earth" cities and how can I avoid them?

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by Drewcifer

Take a moment to consider the source and criteria of this list:



If high end shopping, classical music, theater, tech-savviness, good coffee and eco-consciousness make us bad then so be it.

This is more a reflection of the anti-intellectual, anti-cultural cultural thread that runs deeply through America than it is a negative statement about us.

Finally someone examines the details of how they determined these rankings instead of grabbing at straws. Classical music, tech savviness, good coffee and being eco-conscious are not traits that should ever be considered snobby. I knew something was "fishy" when LA with its "celebrity worship culture" was down at #16 on the list! Kudos, Dewcifer!

[wushuliu]

LA is #16? LOL, that explains everything. By 'snobby' they definitely mean 'cities where people make you feel guilty for being an uninformed, selfish, unhealthy, disengaged nabob'.

LA #16. That's too funny.

[Ghaukne]

Originally Posted by xandrex

This is pretty much spot on to what I was going to say.

I have no problems claiming snobbery based on this list. We were marked on this list for, among other things: intelligence and literacy, a thriving indie-music scene, a booming list of craft beers, cleanliness, fitness, and being outdoorsy.

If this is snobbery and snobbery is bad...where are these "down-to-earth" cities and how can I avoid them?

Come on Minneapolis, watch more Duck Dynasty and do less reading!

LA #16, LA terrible educational system...hmmm

[icicles]

My parents live in Hopkins, MN in belgrove area. I grew up there and I would consider it a snobby place.

When I think of snobby I think of someone who buys things because they want to fit a particualy advertised way. They don't live a life how they choose, but how marketing tells them to live it.

For instance, a guy buys a porsche GT2 because he bought for price and for the recognition of it.

another guy who loves cars buys it because of the superior performance and the quality of the parts on the car and it is a very reliable 200+mph car.

Two different scenario's, but one is snobby and the other isn't.

What I see are snobby people, those who buy high end hand bags for status, they buy crappy expensive cars which have inferior components and ride quality. They bought it for the status, etc.

The next door guy purchased a john deere lawn mower and blew it up because he never changed the oil in it. He bought another to replace it. I dunno, I can see a lot of people who are snobby in MN buying objects just to purchase it for status = snobby IMO.

[Beenhere4ever]

Aha! We're snobby because some of us (not all mind you) couldn't make ourselves care what is going on with the Kardashians.

[MplsTodd]

Originally Posted by icicles

My parents live in Hopkins, MN in belgrove area. I grew up there and I would consider it a snobby place.

When I think of snobby I think of someone who buys things because they want to fit a particualy advertised way. They don't live a life how they choose, but how marketing tells them to live it.

For instance, a guy buys a porsche GT2 because he bought for price and for the recognition of it.

another guy who loves cars buys it because of the superior performance and the quality of the parts on the car and it is a very reliable 200+mph car.

Two different scenario's, but one is snobby and the other isn't.

What I see are snobby people, those who buy high end hand bags for status, they buy crappy expensive cars which have inferior components and ride quality. They bought it for the status, etc.

The next door guy purchased a john deere lawn mower and blew it up because he never changed the oil in it. He bought another to replace it. I dunno, I can see a lot of people who are snobby in MN buying objects just to purchase it for status = snobby IMO.

When it comes to buying high-end, image oriented products, I think you a little off in ranking the Twin Cities high on the list. The Twin Cities are well-known for being very laid-back and casual. Given the high average incomes of the Twin Cities, luxury retailers thought they'd do really well here. Well, let's see, Bloomingdales, Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus have all closed, because there weren't enough "snobby", image-dependant Twin Citians. I think Dallas and Atlanta are better examples of what you're describing.

[readyformajorchange]

It may have gotten high on the snobby list but Minnesota can be proud to have ranked high on the list of states with the best quality of life....#3! America's Top States for Quality of Life: Take a Bow - Yahoo! Finance
And friends and family think I'm nuts for wanting to relocate there. Ha, in there face!!

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by icicles

My parents live in Hopkins, MN in belgrove area. I grew up there and I would consider it a snobby place.

When I think of snobby I think of someone who buys things because they want to fit a particualy advertised way. They don't live a life how they choose, but how marketing tells them to live it.

For instance, a guy buys a porsche GT2 because he bought for price and for the recognition of it.

another guy who loves cars buys it because of the superior performance and the quality of the parts on the car and it is a very reliable 200+mph car.

Two different scenario's, but one is snobby and the other isn't.

What I see are snobby people, those who buy high end hand bags for status, they buy crappy expensive cars which have inferior components and ride quality. They bought it for the status, etc.

The next door guy purchased a john deere lawn mower and blew it up because he never changed the oil in it. He bought another to replace it. I dunno, I can see a lot of people who are snobby in MN buying objects just to purchase it for status = snobby IMO.

Even in Minnesota's showiest suburbs, I don't think our snob factor in material goods shows (in any comparative way, at least). Minnesotans come across as far more practical. Even in the most desired locations in the metro (Mount Curve, Edina, Wayzata area, etc.), I see people with well-kept houses and expensive cars, but much less show that I've seen elsewhere.

As mentioned by another poster, luxury retailers have largely failed here, especially when it comes to apparel.

About the only area where I think Minnesota extravagance really can compete is on Lake Minnetonka. But that's in its own league.

[Beenhere4ever]

Maybe they're asking hillbillies. We don't really cater to hillbillies that much up here. Our trailer park development is minimal. The country singers tend to perform at casinos, not Target Center or First Avenue. And we don't build statues to Michele Bachmann who might be more to their liking.