It's good to be a Minnesotan

I always marveled at the Minnesota goodbye, while at the same time, enjoy them very much. For those of you who have no idea of what I'm talking about, allow me to describe for you a possible MN goodbye. Say you're invited to someones house for dinner. You arrive, you're greeted, all is well. The evening in progressing wonderfully and a good time is being had by all. However, hour is getting late so the party agrees to start the goodbye process. First, we would all agree that it has been a good evening, and give compliments to the food and hospitality that has been enjoyed. Perhaps even some formal goodbyes would be spoken as well as a parting blessing rooted in some past conversation from that evening. During all this, the couples are standing and moving in the directions of their coats. At this point, many different things could happen. The most common in the case of our family is we get side tracked. Perhaps I would notice a picture in the dining room and inquire about its origin while my wife gets detained in the kitchen trading cooking secrets. Next we usually get separated into gender groups. This goes on for a while until I see all the new toys and creations my friend has inquired since the last time we talked. The best MN goodbyes often include a trip to the garage. During this time things can often go deep since trust has been established by earlier conversation and one might share a deep struggle or pressing condition that would only be appropriate between men. I assume the same thing happens with the women, but will probably never know for sure. At some point, the couples reunite and continue their journey toward the door. Most of the time at this point a snack is in order, and since in many cases, you have to pass through the kitchen to leave the house, its only appropriate. Kitchens however usually contain multiple clocks, and is the room where this phrase is most often uttered, "Is it really _______ O'clock?" Here a strong commitment is made to leave swiftly out of respect for one anothers sleep needs. Perhaps a few conversational items will arise while stepping into ones shoes an putting on a coat like, "Hey that's a nice coat! Where did you get it?" "Oh thanks! I got it at REI. Do you two like camping?" "Yes! We love camping but we never have anyone to go with! Would you guys want to go sometime?" "Of course we would! Wow! Lets plan it out right now!" "Honey, we really have to go, it's 1:00 A.M." "Well, I guess it's time to go. We'll talk soon." And so on. At this point a cultural form of departing is exchanged, the door is closed, and this is usually spoken by both couples about the other, "They're great! We need to get together with them again soon. Time for bed."

So tonight I was chatting with a friend via Google chat, and I noticed that a MN goodbye was happening over the internet. I had to stop and chuckle...it's good to be a Minnesotan.