Fraters Libertas

I'm Okay, You're Okay, Iceland's Okay

Minnesotans have a long and embarrassing history of being hyper sensitive to what outsiders think of our state. This lack of self-esteem and desperately pathetic desire to be liked was probably best exemplified by the disgraceful 'We Like It Here' sign that used to be displayed at the Metrodome. I shudder with shame at the mere thought of it.

But it appears that we have nothing on the insecurities of the people of Iceland. My observations on the island, made after a recent three day visit, have stirred up a bit of geyser over there as evidenced by this post at a blog humbly titled, Reykjavik (I knew we should have just called our blog 'Minneapolis' instead of opting for all that Latin mumbo jumbo):

Well, it seems that not everyone enjoys Iceland. That's because some people shouldn't leave the comfort of what they know. My advice is: if you're not prepared to go somewhere where things might seem "different" to you, stay home and watch a video. Preferably something you've already seen before so you won't find something to complain about. Read this and find the 25 or so reasons why this person should have stayed at home.

Oh pal, by the way. The Icelandic Tourism Bureau called. You didn't get the job.

Before I'm stereotyped as an ugly American type who looks for the nearest McDonalds when traveling overseas and doesn't like anything "different" from the sanitized corporate world of the closest suburban shopping mall, let me state for the record that I enjoy leaving my comfort zone and experiencing new, and yes, even "different" things. I spent three weeks in Germany last year and never even considered a Big Mac value meal. I travel to Chihuahua, Mexico two or three times a year for work. Now that's "different".

Don't get me wrong. I actually did enjoy my visit to Iceland. It was far from perfect but then no place is. A fact which some of the natives apparently have a hard time accepting. Look you've got a nice little country there. The women are pretty, the economy is good, the people are well educated, you know how to party, and you can leave your baby in a stroller (pram, whatever) in the street when you shop.

But your water smells like rotten eggs, daylight is scarce in the winter, the architecture is functionally bland, your dance music sucks, and it's a damn expensive place to drink. Which still makes it about a hundred times better than Iowa.

But those are just my views. You're entitled to your own of course. But to advise me to "stay home and watch a video" doesn't seem like a very appropriate response if you really wish people to appreciate the wonders of your country. And it doesn't do much to dispel my characterization of Icelanders as cold and not all that fond of visitors. Since tourism is the second largest industry in Iceland you might want to at least put on a good face, despite what you really feel about people. Here in the Upper Midwest we like to call that "Minnesota Nice".