Ohio- She Has a Really Pretty Face

I pull up to the Starbucks drive thru.

“Hey, sorry but this is going to be a long order as I am feeding a small orphanage.” I say apologetically.

“Oh hold on,” a bubbly voice says behind the speaker. “Let me get a chair.”

I laughed and appreciated for a moment how nice (and nerdy) us Mid-westerners can be. So that is the topic of today’s post. I realize some may disagree and realize this behavior is surely not just in the Midwest but indulge me for a moment.

We are nice, that is what we are known for. But we can also be EXTREMELY passive-aggressive because many of us don’t like conflict but want to keep up the facade of being very nice. It’s like society gave us the responsibility of being “the girl next door” and it’s our duty to uphold it because well, we are the Midwest.

So, when we are forced to be honest or faced with an uncomfortable situation, you hear us say things like:

It looks better on the hanger. Translation: I look like a whale in this.

I’m really concerned for her. Translation: That is one fucked up hot mess. 

I just never see them outside of their house. The mom doesn’t smile at us ever. Translation: That family is odd and I don’t care if I ever become friends with them. 

You should come to my church. Translation (there are actually 2): 1. You need help. 2. Join my cult where we will drink and curse like sailors Monday through Saturday but feel ok with it because I attend church regularly on Sundays somehow making me better than you. 

And going back up to the Starbucks lady, we are bubbly and happy even when we don’t feel like it. Even if it’s not genuine it’s most helpful when you are going through a tough time. In just the past 3 months, I’ve made several Johnny Marzetti’s (is that a Midwestern thing or do you all have that delicious dish?) for friends that have had surgery or a death in the family. It’s what we do, even when we (meaning me), HATE COOKING beyond belief.

So, I really don’t know where I’m going with this post. This was just a quick observation from today; me thinking out loud. Now, I have to say, Johnny Marzetti does sound pretty good right now. Happy Saturday all and have a great day!