Monday, September 10, 2007 2:32 AM
Now, I'm not going to lie to you: I think there are many out there that have this notion about Americans. That notion is that people from the US are:
a) Arrogant
b) Rude and Obnoxious
c) Are Scary
If you are one of the many who feel that way, let me point you in the direction of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I did not meet one American on this entire trip that fit into any of those descriptions (well, except for the guy at Cold Stone Creamery who obviously didn't want to be working that day).
First there was the couple from Iowa who were in for the game. They were sitting behind us at dinner on Saturday, and he commented on my hat inquiring if I was indeed a Falcons fan (or just one of the many posers that WISH they were associated with the future greatest dynasty in NFL history). This entered a discussion about football in general, where we were all from, how we were looking forward to the game, etc. Just friendly people making genuine discussion with total strangers...wouldn't happen here (Manitoba).
Then there was the train ride to the game, where we sat with this guy who got into a discussion with us about the state of health care, taxes, football, etc. Again, just friendly guy making conversation...and not just with us, but with others around, who were doing the same thing.
Vikings game...I'm surrounded by purple jerseys the whole day...and not ONCE did anyone come off as rude, obnoxious, or just plain jack-assey...everyone was there enjoying the party...it was a great atmosphere! I got the feeling that would have been different had it been the Green Bay game and if I had been wearing a cheese head though. The guy sitting behind me in the stands was hiilarious...I traded little barbs with his family throughout the game, but it was all part-of-the-game fun.
Anyway, we're in the beer tent before the game when some Falcon fans came over to hang out with us...and through knowing the Miller rep, hooked us up with some free beer tickets. Nice! Then we look over...OMG, its the couple from dinner the night before! So now we're having a Falcons love-in smack in the middle of a sea of purple. It was all so different from a CFL atmosphere...as in, way BETTER than a CFL atmosphere.
On the train back from the game, I got a few comments thrown my way but nothing crazy serious...and everyone in our train car was talking to each other...but they weren't part of the same group...it was way different than a typical bus ride in Winnipeg, where everyone keeps to themselves and tries not to make eye contact with anyone.
So anyway, the point is: you really can't judge a place until you've gone. I've been to the US before and have many US-based friends, so I already knew that its not as scary a place as we non-USers think it is*. But this was my first trip to Minnesota where I stayed for any length of time, and the people we met have definitely made it a regular destination for future travel plans.
"Friendly Manitoba" could take a lesson from our neighbors to the south.
D
*Note: The jury is still out on Texas though...