My last rude question about the midwest

[slackerinabox]

Had a huge falling out with my in-laws so, believe me, I equate their horribleness to themselves and not a region. I also know that, even among redneck states, there are pockets of awesome throughout this country and I'm learning to appreciate it. Apologies for being reductive in advance, it's just that their mid-west way of life sometimes makes me scratch my head (I bet it has more to do with them being right wing christians than their zip code, to be honest)

BUT I've noticed something I find interesting: the telling of the uninteresting story, as if there's a punchline that never arrives.

For example, my MIL does this all the time: tell a story about what she did that day, told in explicit details, with no punchline but with the delivery or tone of a joke ("I woke up and just couldn't get out of bed, then I got myself ready and got myself to the bank. You wouldn't believe what happened: they were out of 20s, so I had to walk around all day with twice as many $10s!")

It's not just me, my parents (when the inlaws visit) often say "what is the joke, I'm lost?" because english is their 2nd language and they just assume they're misinterpreting the dull story. I ask this because I've seen this over and over again, and boy does it increase with age. I mean, I've sat through laborious 20 minute stories about how milk used to be delivered back in the day..

Is it because talking about most anything else that has a little bit of controversy (politics, religion, etc.) seems to rile them up so they keep conversations as bland as possible, or is there something else regional going on that I'm not seeing because of my NY values?

 

[Ophir]

They probably have so little going on that what they think is interesting/exciting is literally nothing to anyone else. Could happen to anyone, but probably more likely to happen in the Midwest.

 

[Humpy]

Fuck that's a long uninteresting story, I'm lost.

What's the joke?

 

[slackerinabox]

Fuck that's a long uninteresting story, I'm lost.

What's the joke?

I've got some yo momma jokes I can dig up if you'd like

I know I'm long winded, it's the absence of a point that i'm critiquing (I'm more curious than anything, I really try to understand their perspective)

 

[slackerinabox]

They probably have so little going on that what they think is interesting/exciting is literally nothing to anyone else. Could happen to anyone, but probably more likely to happen in the Midwest.

Hey, I'm pretty boring since I spend most day changing diapers until I get a gig - but I talk about things to compensate (an article I've read, an interesting factoid, movies I just saw). Seems like a lot of people with nothing going on still like to talk about themselves quite a bit. I don't see that around here, though I'm not saying listening to a Brooklyn hipster's 20 minute rant about globalization ruining local economies isn't tiresome too, but I understand the reasoning. I would think that, with enough boring stories, I'd lose the few friends I have. People seem to enjoy it there, like my FIL guffaws at stuff I just don't find funny, to make the MIL feel better I guess

 

[gorcorps]

Based on your posting history about race and such, you seem to have a huge problem connecting the shitty actions of single people to an entire race or region of others.

No, the entire Midwest is not made up of people as boring or dumb as your in-laws.

Yes, you still are trolling successfully by continuing to post this way(at least I hope it's trolling... if all of this stereotyping is not just to screw with us then sweet jesus you're a terrible person)

 

[SAWYER]

Dude is seriously butturt over the inlaws..let it go man. Dont act like your area or any other for the matter is a mecca of enlightenment. There are racists and crappy people everywhere.

 

[deadlyapp]

My roommate (who's from IL) does this pretty often. We've developed a way to make all bad stories better - you just add "And then I found x dollars" to the end of the story once you realize it was worthless.

 

[slackerinabox]

Based on your posting history about race and such, you seem to have a huge problem connecting the shitty actions of single people to an entire race or region of others.

No, the entire Midwest is not made up of people as boring or dumb as your in-laws.

Yes, you still are trolling successfully by continuing to post this way(at least I hope it's trolling... if all of this stereotyping is not just to screw with us then sweet jesus you're a terrible person)

No, I *know* it's part of the culture my inlaws are part of, but it's very different than anything I've seen here. I'm actually quite attracted to midwest girls who run away to big cities as soon as they can, I dated many and married one!

I've toured the midwest a bit and know not all the food is bland and that not everyone's a bore. I'm just trying to pick up on a very specific personality not found anywhere around here, it reminds me of Flanders from the Simpsons and feels about 50 years too late. I know they're particularly awful, boring people but I've seen this in shops, am subject to it at social gatherings - it does not make me hate anyone, it just makes me curious.

It's also very midwestern to shut down curiosity, isn't it?

 

[slackerinabox]

Dude is seriously butturt over the inlaws..let it go man. Dont act like your area or any other for the matter is a mecca of enlightenment. There are racists and crappy people everywhere.

Trust me, I know this. My own parents are bigots and they've lived here for 30 years, and don't get me started on the Republi-cops around here. I'm just trying to understand them, and am hoping that it'll make me hate them less.

For example, when I was a kid I always judged southernerss for the speed they talk - after one southern 100 degree day, I got it.

 

[Capt Caveman]

OP should reread his post. Sounds like it runs in the family. And why create another thread about your inlaws.

 

[slackerinabox]

My roommate (who's from IL) does this pretty often. We've developed a way to make all bad stories better - you just add "And then I found x dollars" to the end of the story once you realize it was worthless.

Ha, my inlaws are originally from IL. Maybe it's regional, the way families share their otherwise uneventful days when your days aren't very rushed. Suppose that's nice, we don't share much around here (I kinda prefer that).

 

[slackerinabox]

OP should reread his post. Sounds like it runs in the family. And why create another thread about your inlaws.

Hmm, I suppose I posted another thread about my inlaws because this is a free country, at least from what I recall... I'll be sure to private msg you for permission before posting in the future! Thanks, sir!

 

[NesuD]

Had a huge falling out with my in-laws so, believe me, I equate their horribleness to themselves and not a region. I also know that, even among redneck states, there are pockets of awesome throughout this country and I'm learning to appreciate it. Apologies for being reductive in advance, it's just that their mid-west way of life sometimes makes me scratch my head (I bet it has more to do with them being right wing christians than their zip code, to be honest)

BUT I've noticed something I find interesting: the telling of the uninteresting story, as if there's a punchline that never arrives.

For example, my MIL does this all the time: tell a story about what she did that day, told in explicit details, with no punchline but with the delivery or tone of a joke ("I woke up and just couldn't get out of bed, then I got myself ready and got myself to the bank. You wouldn't believe what happened: they were out of 20s, so I had to walk around all day with twice as many $10s!")

It's not just me, my parents (when the in-laws visit) often say "what is the joke, I'm lost?" because english is their 2nd language and they just assume they're misinterpreting the dull story. I ask this because I've seen this over and over again, and boy does it increase with age. I mean, I've sat through laborious 20 minute stories about how milk used to be delivered back in the day..

Is it because talking about most anything else that has a little bit of controversy (politics, religion, etc.) seems to rile them up so they keep conversations as bland as possible, or is there something else regional going on that I'm not seeing because of my NY values?

Wow so your inlaws stories about their day are just boring as your posts here about how bad your in-laws are in your opinion. Enough already! we get that you really dislike your wife's family. Newsflash for you. It is pretty much a tradition for the husband to dislike the in-laws. If you don't already know they don't like you either.

 

[DainBramaged]

They probably have so little going on that what they think is interesting/exciting is literally nothing to anyone else. Could happen to anyone, but probably more likely to happen in the Midwest.

+1

 

[slackerinabox]

Wow so your inlaws stories about their day are just boring as your posts here about how bad your in-laws are in your opinion. Enough already! we get that you really dislike your wife's family. Newsflash for you. It is pretty much a tradition for the husband to dislike the in-laws. If you don't already know they don't like you either.

Again, if it bothers you so much why not just ignore my threads? I don't appreciate people telling me what I can and can't post. Reminds me of my midwestern MIL, where are you from? I see posts about pancakes on the top page, I was unaware of editorial standards posted here - I assumed we can speak freely, apologies for assuming incorrectly.

 

[Ferzerp]

If it bothers you so much why don't you just ignore their stories? I bet they don't appreciate your judgment of them and felling like you can decide what they can and can't say.

 

[slackerinabox]

If it bothers you so much why don't you just ignore their stories? I bet they don't appreciate your judgment of them and felling like you can decide what they can and can't say.

Oh, I won't be seeing them for at least a few months after our last argument. I never, ever call them boring to their face, I just nod my head and smile.

To be further reductive, it's mostly the moms there who gab in this boring way, my FIL always has cool ER stories and war stories never bore me. My bigot great-grandfather is also kinda fascinating, he literally builds homes with his hands and talks about that, which is pretty interesting. Sorry for the broad strokes, I figure I'll always be ignorant if I don't ask rude questions

 

[Drako]

(I bet it has more to do with them being right wing christians than their zip code, to be honest)

That makes it better then. Thanks for clarifying that you loath Christians.

 

[slackerinabox]

That makes it better then. Thanks for clarifying that you loath Christians.

Ha, I go to church (well, once a month) and my grand dad was a minister and an amazing fellow - I don't judge spiritual people, but there's a certain breed of christian out there that does bug me.

 

[SAWYER]

What about a certain breed of that type of other religions?

 

[PJFrylar]

It probably has more to do with your differing opinions on things like politics and religion than anything regional. IIRC in your other thread you mention getting into arguments with your in-laws frequently and egged the arguments on at times. Some people don't really like confrontation. They might be steering the conversation towards bland controversy free topics to prevent another argument. A lot of my family is conservative/christian, while I am liberal/atheist. Sometimes it makes family gatherings boring at times, but there is usually still enough common ground from being family and living in the same area to make conversation flow. You don't seem to have that with your wife's side of the family. It's tough to say without being in the room, but I'm guessing they don't feel there is anything really to talk about so they are just filling the silence. If you have something you think is worth talking about try driving the conversation yourself.

Nobody I know phrases their '1st world problems' in joke sans punchline formats. I'm In the midwest here (40ish miles NW of Chicago)

Yeah, I don't either. I live near Madison, WI.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Nobody I know phrases their '1st world problems' in joke sans punchline formats. I'm In the midwest here (40ish miles NW of Chicago)

 

[slackerinabox]

What about a certain breed of that type of other religions?

Hey, what other people do with their faith is their business. Being a kinda devote christian I feel ok judging other christians. Though of course there are head scratching elements of every faith, I didn't mean to single out Christianity. To be clear I believe in the J man, don't know about his divinity but liked the things he said, and try not to get caught up in the bigotry, tribalism, or superstitions it inspires (in some).

 

[dullard]

It is all a matter of perspective. Midwesterners are bored out of their minds interacting with people like slackerinabox that will just be mute. Midwesterners would often rather talk about their day, even if it doesn't have a point (Seinfeld anyone), than to say nothing at all.

Which is more boring? Socializing saying nothing? Socializing speaking about something that isn't that exciting?