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.