The Beneficial Function of Passive Aggressiveness in Scandinavian and Minnesotan Culture: MN Culture Pt. 4/5

In 2017 alone Minnesota was ranked the #1 “happiest” state in the US, and the Twin Cities were ranked #1 in terms of livability, bike friendliness, and most healthy/active. Yet for so many, Minnesota is still an expansive blank. It’s a handful of stereotypes and assumptions wrapped in a snowy mystery.

Attention on this region can be obscured, especially in a country absorbed in national affairs. However, even within Minnesota, culture isn’t entirely defined by its residents as it continues to take shape. But, that culture is emerging as the North proudly thaws from that mystery. I’m excited to share my insights regarding the broader cultural characteristics of the North Star State.

Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Minnesotan culture is:

4) Passive Aggressive

Conceptually, passive aggressiveness is straightforward. It’s essentially any non-verbal aggression, typically ranging from subtle sighing and foot tapping, to total freeze outs or sarcasm. While most of us are probably familiar with passive aggressiveness (either dishing it out or receiving it), I’d wager not all of us are keen detectors of this seemingly imperceptible form of communication. I know I wasn’t. Coming from a city like Chicago, a lot of passive aggressiveness didn’t even register to me. While subtlety is not Chicago’s forte, it is the norm in Minnesota. But why? And what does this characteristic mean for culture in Minnesota?

To understand passive aggressiveness as the default form of expressing displeasure, I believe one must look at Minnesota’s cultural roots, particularly stemming from Scandinavia. Minnesota has the largest Scandinavian population in the United States, with a significant majority of residents descending from Scandinavian heritage dating back to the 1800s. It’s easy to see this influence on our cultural landscape as even today there are many similarities between Minnesota and Scandinavia. There’s a shared belief in strong social democracy (more to come on the MN governance), support for local or community efforts, and a calm, cozy (hygge) mindset valuing the importance of keeping the peace.

Of course, peacekeeping is no short order! It takes the sum of its parts abiding by the same standards to achieve a “nicer” environment. The consideration and respect for one another is something I love most about living in the Twin Cities. And you sense it almost instantly being here. As one example, shortly after moving to Minnesota, I realized I never heard commuters honking their horns at anyone, even though I was still living in a major urban city. And it’s certainly not that people are better drivers here. Rather, it’s a collective attitude of conflict avoidance.

I am not advocating for passive aggressiveness in every circumstance. It’s not healthy to bottle up feelings, especially in cases of abuse or neglect. It can be frustrating not to get concise feedback or communication from someone, especially in a workplace team building situation. And it can cause a lot of confusion if someone feigns interest in something but later freezes you out. But overall, the restraint is something I have ultimately come to see as a valuable and refreshing cultural aspect. In a country that so desperately needs peace, seldom do we have the communal restraint to make it so. It’s restorative to live somewhere where I don’t commonly hear people yelling at each other or see folks flipping off one another. It’s so restorative, in fact, that it’s worth trying to apprehend.

For the full article please check out my website: localnorth.org

All pictures are either my own or sourced from Pexels - free stock photos.