Is It Really That Hard to Make Friends in Minnesota?

[elliot4u1987]

Originally Posted by ltkenbo

I'd agree with the people that say it's harder to make friends here. I'm originally from Minnesota but was a Navy brat growing up so I didn't grow up here. I did however spend time in many states across the US with vastly different cultures (especially Hawaii). I moved back here 3 years ago for a job and I like it here, but I agree, in general people are very friendly, but not very personal. My wife has also noticed this quite a bit as she is from South America. She has a couple of friends through school but none of them seem to want to get super close or personal.

I Agree with you. I have lived here all my life but always have had a hard time with fitting in , making friends, etc... The people here are very polite and friendly, but very cliquey and not into making new friends.Also People claim to be very "liberal" yet they own are friends with the same White, Heterosexual, upper middle/upper class, non disability etc...( the same people that complain about racism, homopobia,etc..) The gentrification of this city has only made things a lot worse as well as pricing out the common man.

[Lunabell]

I love Minnesota, lived there for six years, and spent part of every summer there when I was a kid. We are thinking about returning...it is between MN and FL but I think the family is voting for MN at this point. However , I did find it hard to make friends when I lived there. Looking back, ALL of the friends I made there are transplants too. I have always felt that lifelong Minnesotans really have no need for new people who don't get the "code" that a previous poster mentioned. After growing up on the east coast, I am probably more direct than people are comfortable with there. I am okay with it and it isn't stopping me from looking forward to the idea of moving back. It just is what it is.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by Lunabell

I love Minnesota, lived there for six years, and spent part of every summer there when I was a kid. We are thinking about returning...it is between MN and FL but I think the family is voting for MN at this point. However , I did find it hard to make friends when I lived there. Looking back, ALL of the friends I made there are transplants too. I have always felt that lifelong Minnesotans really have no need for new people who don't get the "code" that a previous poster mentioned. After growing up on the east coast, I am probably more direct than people are comfortable with there. I am okay with it and it isn't stopping me from looking forward to the idea of moving back. It just is what it is.

It just is what it is, as you say. Since you plan to make no effort to fit into the culture, I know you won't be surprised if you're not completely accepted here. Is that direct enough for you?

[Glenfield]

This could be helpful. How to Make Friends Faster

[Lunabell]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

It just is what it is, as you say. Since you plan to make no effort to fit into the culture, I know you won't be surprised if you're not completely accepted here. Is that direct enough for you?

Exactly. Thanks for being direct. It is refreshing. I don't want to change to fit in. People shouldn't be expected to change to accept me if they do not want. It is what it is. I am not complaining.