The, perhaps satirically named, phenomenon found among
Iowa natives of remaining surface-deep at all times. Many Iowans will
ask you how you are, but make no mistake, they
don’t want an honest or detailed answer. Some bland response is required. Expressing opinions or taking stances on really any topic will be met with iciness. Iowans are repressed and judgmental. “Iowa nice” means let’s not actually connect in any
human way, but rather, let’s avoid confrontation at any cost.
Our neighbors are Iowa nice. We’ve lived next
door to them for fifteen years. They
don’t know
anything about us and they haven’t asked, either.