Columnist Joe Soucheray's argument on the June 27 Sunday Opinion page that our state's residents cannot figure out how to use the "zipper" to pass neighbors in traffic during freeway construction because we are so Minnesota Nice was not very observant.
Minnesota Nice folks are very quick to notice when a buffet has two sides and waste no time creating a second line. When an additional checkout line opens at the grocery store, we Minnesota Nice folks politely move forward or point out who is next. Being Minnesota Nice does not mean Minnesotans must be suffering and submissive, as Soucheray implied. Nor does it mean we are "Minnesota Knife in Your Back," or passive aggressive, as another writer described Minnesota drivers on the same page.
Even a new state-run, fraud-prevention program implies we are stupid and gullible. "No More Minnesota Nice," It's called.
I want to know: How did the nice in Minnesota Nice turn into all of these not-so-nice things?
If Minnesotans really are nice, why not make the most of it instead of ridiculing Minnesota Nice or turning it into Minnesota Nasty? Let's advertise our Midwest characteristics of kindness and hospitality to draw tourists, businesses, and new residents to our state. We should all be able to stand up and proclaim that, yes, we are Minnesota Nice -- and proud of it!
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Minnesota Nice, Inc., in Duluth uses slogans like, "Minnesota Nice, a renewable natural resource," and, "Minnesota Nice, a state of heart," on T-shirts, stickers and other merchandise to show off real Minnesota Nice. Help us keep Minnesota nice till the cows come home.
Judy Gordon
Duluth
The writer is president of Minnesota Nice, Inc.
