Minnesotan's and Their Personal Space

Life has changed drastically since I started working full time. I've met a couple of cool people at work.  The woman I spend lunch with grew up in Africa as a missionary kid.  She is VERY interesting.  The lived in cliff dwellings among the villagers in a remote part of Eastern Africa.  The woman who sits next to me is fun and has helped me stay sane by bringing in stickers and toys and fun pencils to play with.  We share our "favorite quotes" from the essay papers we are reading.  That makes the very long, long, long day go by a little faster.  And then there's this guy who grew up in Japan.  He looks Minnesotan with his white skin and bleach blond hair.  I think he was an Army brat or something like that.  How did I meet him?  My African friend said "outsiders" find each other quickly.  She was talking about herself having not grown up in America, but it made me wonder how I ended up with this odd crowd.  I had heard earlier this year from a couple of Californian friends that Minnesotans are hard to get to know.  They thought it was because of the deep family roots here and/or the fact that Minnesotans already have a group of friends they've had since Kindergarten so they don't need anymore close friends to share with.  The fact is, Minnesotans just don't share, period.  They don't "save" their in depth conversations and emotions and feelings for family gatherings.  The only hot topic at a family gathering is the food and anyone who happened to miss the family gathering.  As a matter of fact, if you are from out of town and have gotten more than a name, an address and a phone number from a native Minnesotan, you probably know more about them than their best friend knows.

So, feel happy and encouraged that someone from this cold, Norweigan heritage let you into the depths of their heart.  Just don't get too physically close them.  We have a two foot wide area of "personal space."  Don't feel bad if we suddenly stop talking.  It's probably not something you said.  You probably just stepped into the "personal space."  We don't quite know what to do when that happens, so we often just walk away.  Don't be offended.  We've lived for generations in this cold climate.  The summers aren't quite long enough to completely melts the ice off our hearts.  We are really friendly people...once you get to know us.  : )