Most Minnesotans aren’t afraid to admit that we have a few quirks. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t proud of them. Here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we’re so proud of the weird things Minnesotans do that we’re willing to defend them until the very end. Here are 11 quirks that only Minnesotans will understand.

1. Calling it "pop."
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Being on the "pop" side of the great debate isn't easy, but we're sticking to our guns on this one. It's short, it's sweet, and it's what we grew up with. Why change?
2. Playing Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Flickr
We may be the only state in the country that prefers "gray duck" to that other game, but we're not going to budge on this one. It sounds better, and why would a goose be hanging around a bunch of ducks?
3. Putting away our winter gear as soon as the sun comes out.
Len Hardy/Flickr
There comes a point every spring when Minnesotans refuse to wear their winter coats for another day. No matter if snow is in the forecast next week; once it hits 40, the coat comes off.
4. Going "up north" for every long weekend.
Edgar Pierce/Flickr
Minnesotans love being outside. We love it even more if we can enjoy the outdoors far away from work or home. That's why we go up north.
5. Hesitating at four-way stops.
Fe Ilya/Flickr
Is it because we're nice, or because we haven't quite mastered the art of driving? Probably a little bit of both. But that knowledge doesn't change the fact that we don't quite excel at four-way stops.

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6. Discussing weather at every opportunity.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
If it's finally warm, it's something to celebrate. If we're expecting a blizzard, it's something to dread. No matter the weather, Minnesotans are sure to have some feelings to share.
7. Never eating the last piece of anything.
John Watson/Flickr
Either the last piece is going to be halved infinitely, or it's going to sit there on the counter for a week. But you can be no Minnesotan is going to be the one to eat it.
8. Taking forever to say goodbye.
Carol Carey/Flickr
One thing leads to another, and suddenly it's midnight and you're still chatting in the driveway. Minnesotans have a hard time with goodbyes, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
9. Bringing a hot dish to every gathering.
A Bill Miller/Flickr
Bringing something so universally loved to a potluck? It's a no-brainer. So much so that there will likely be at least one or two other varieties.
10. Always being ready to help.
MJI Photos/Flickr
Minnesota Nice is so engrained that it's hard for some of us not to be nice. We may be grumbling on the inside, but yes, we will help you push your car out of that icy patch.
11. Saying "Uff da" and "You betcha."
Darin/Flickr
The thing about Minnesotans is that very few of us use these phrases seriously. But most of us throw them around in a joking manner every once in a while. Recognizing the difference is a skill that evades out-of-towners, leading many to believe we actually go around saying, "Uff da!"

Do you share any of these strange habits? Any others you’d like to add? Let us know, and in the meantime catch up on more relatable parts of living in Minnesota by checking out this list of phrases and words said here.

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Weird Things Minnesotans Do

Leah | April 23, 2021

What are some other relatable things about Minnesota?

Living in the Land of 10,000 lakes is both great and not for everyone. Even though many people think of Minnesota as being "far north," it's still part of tornado alley. But don't be surprised if you see no one blinking an eye or panicking to the tornado siren going off if it's noon on the first specific weekday of the month. Everyone's used to that! Many people in Minnesota are descended from Scandinavian immigrants, which is where terms like "uff da" come from. It's also the reason you'll find tasty foods like lefse here.

What are the best things about living in Minnesota?

Minnesota is full of opportunities. With everything from quiet small towns to big cities, people can find their favorite way of living easily. Even if people want to live in an urban environment, an escape into nature is never far. The beautiful lakes and forests are perfect for camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing... the list goes on. There are plenty of good people in Minnesota who are always willing to help out and be a friend, even if they're really a stranger. The "Minnesota nice" is one of the best parts of living here.

What are other strange habits that Minnesotans have?

There are some funny things about Minnesota that people do, whether they realize it or not. Though it may seem normal to Minnesotans, taking a car hauling a small house out onto a frozen lake seems pretty insane to people from other states. This is pretty common practice in the winter for those who are avid ice fishers in the Land of 10,000 lakes. It's also somewhat strange for out-of-staters to see people brag about the cool butter sculptures they saw at the state fair. Butter isn't a normal sculpting material, and yet there is a huge display of impressive creations made from the very stuff each year.

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