December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Marcy Young Illies
Ever wonder why Minnesotans are so gosh-darn nice (or at least seem to be)? This talk dives into the mysterious world of “Minnesota Nice”—that sweet-yet-passive-aggressive charm that’s practically an art form. We’ll unpack what it really means to be “Minnesota Nice,” how it stacks up against similar vibes in other regions (like Canada’s “sorrys” or the South’s “bless your hearts”), and whether this politeness is a case of evoked culture—innate responses triggered by the environment —or transmitted culture, where the niceness is learned and passed down like Grandma’s hotdish recipe at a potluck. Come for the insight, stay for the unspoken Midwest goodbyes!