The Long Minnesota Goodbye

If you are a true Minnesotan, you understand just how long goodbye's are in the land of 10,000 lakes. I had a couple of girlfriends over and when one arrived she shared that she was only going to stay "for a bit". Well, we all know that "a bit" in Minnesota is not the same as anywhere else. "A bit" really means we're sticking around at minimum a few hours. And if the Vikings football game is on, we're staying for the entire day. Skol!

Needless to say that by the time our impromptu ladies night was over, we stood in the foyer and said our goodbyes. An hour later we were still chatting. Now why do us Minnesotans do this? Why does it take so long for us to say goodbye? Well, lets be real. One of the main reasons is that it's cold outside and none of us want to go out there because the below zero temps hurts our face. IF we do eventually decide to go outside, it takes us at least an hour  to get our winter gear on which includes and is not limited to: long johns, long socks, Thinsulate socks, pants, long sleeve shirt, sweater, snow pants, zip up Northface hoodie, long down winter jacket, first layer of mitten gloves, then Thinsulate gloves, scarf, full face mask, snow cap and a couple of packs of hot hands. Uff-Da!

Unless the Minnesotan is the hard core cold blooded type, in which you'll find them only wearing a t-shirt and shorts to shovel the driveway cause they are tough as nails and hardened from all the blizzards and several feet of snow they've had to remove.

Another reason why it takes us so long is because potlucks and hotdishes. ALLLLLLL Minnesotans know that tater tot hotdish is a commodity before a winter storm. It is also a very good reason to stick around and keep talking.

Just like the song that never ends, a Minnesota goodbye never does too. So as the great saying goes "Minnesota: Come for the kindness, stay because it takes too long to say goodbye" Dontcha know..... You betcha!