People from the Midwest

Has he run out of people to blame for his misery that now he must blame the State of Illinois?? What's next? The USA?? LOL!

Sheesh! Tell him to stop blaming others and make a change pronto =-)

I'll just add that the "sunny California outlook" has gotten rather cloudy these past couple years, lol!

It's possible. I'm not trying to be a negative nelly, but he may have a point. We don't get as much sun as the west coast, so we lack Vitamin D which is essential for well being. Could it be that he might be suffering from seasonal depression? I know some of my friends have been miserable this year because of the cold and dreary weather. This past winter was brutal and to top it off--we got snow here today and it's mid-April for crying out loud:) I suggest you offer that he visit you. It sounds like he needs some sunshine.

Doesn't matter where you live, negativity is EVERYwhere! I live in California and I can assure you there's plenty of bitching and moaning going on around here, it's even started to seep into my normally "sunny" outlook :(
p.s. I was actually born in Iowa, lived there until I was 10, and all the Iowans I meet nowadays are kind, considerate and generally positive people, as are those from most midwestern states :)

Well, I have an opposite observation on midwest men. The ones that Iknow who have moved here have been some of the nicest men you would ever want to meet. True gentleman. And so helpful-they are the ones that are always willing to lend a hand. I have even mentioned this once to my husban-the nicest guys that we know are from the midwest! So I think its just your brother.

Tehehe, and just so you know, not all New Yorkers are rude, callous, and desensitized, but most of us ARE in a terrific HURRY most of the time!

:)

Does he vote?? Because that would solve most of the problems in our state.

Really, people are happy here, disgusted by politics, but happy in general.

Well, if I had previously lived in California and moved to Illinois (especially Chicago), I'd be bitching too! The political climate is corrupt and ridiculous, we get taxed out the wazoo for everything, the weather is atrocious (hey - did you know it SNOWED today!), and people are Cubs fans...I kid, I kid!

But all that being said, Illinois isn't *that* bad of a place and I agree 100% with you - if it sucks that badly, move or shut up :)

Well, I don't know about Illinois but I am from Michigan and it sounds like your half-brother is just a whiner and would probably be unhappy no matter where he lived! You find happy people and unhappy people no matter where you go! Being from the Detroit Metro area, you would think we would have plenty to complain about, but we just keep hanging in there! Tell him to either start wearing his big-boy pants and suck it up, or decide to move!

I cringed when I saw your title. I wish I could say that there aren't a lot of sour people in the midwest. My brother is just like this. I grew up in Iowa and when my husband was a sales rep for a few months I did some research into the incomes, town sizes, and other demographics of Iowa. It's DEPRESSING. In fact, I think a depression is a step UP! I got out and I'm glad. I'm still in Missouri. But I'm not in misery! LOL

No. I think hes the miserable one, not the midwest. I mean, the ecomony does suck, but Im sure it does everywhere.

I was born and raised in Iowa and am raising my family here. We are very happy...my entire family is very happy...so is my hubby's. I love living in the midwest! It's a great place to live and raise a family! There are miserable people everywhere...I don't really get why he's blaming the state! If he hates it so much, MOVE!

In agreement with Kristen M., I found Midwestern people to be MUCH nicer than south Floridians. I lived in Indiana for about 12 years.

Of course there are nice people here, too, but they're not as easy to find. And it is way more expensive here.

He sounds a tad bit whiny . . .

Hmmm, I've lived in both Illinois and California, but mostly Illinois. I've never heard his sentiment. It seems like he's looking for something to blame. I actually like living in Illinois and I don't feel trapped, either. I'm sure if he lived in California he'd find a reason to blame that state on why he is so miserable.

I grew up in South Florida and now live near Kansas City. I would consider Kansas the Midwest. The people here are GREAT! The people are helpful and friendly. And, things are really affordable. There are happy and unhappy people everywhere.

Yep, people in the midwest are all miserable and negative, just like everyone in CA is weird!

Then tell him! Lol. Tell him to shut it, and that you are tired of hearing him complain already. The sunny outlook on life isnt the state you live in, but the state of mind. If he doesnt like it then do something about it or shut up!

I'm from NY but I moved to IL and I don't notice people here being negative, in fact I think NYers were more negative. I actually think IL is more family oriented and you meet much more polite people out here.
I think he just has a bad attitude and wants to blame it on something else ;)

Ummmm, I'm a Cubs fan. :o)

I grew up in Illinois. We really do love it there and still call it home. Unfortunately there are no Marine Bases in Illinois.

We have lived on the West Coast, the East Coast and in IL. We have found the nicest people in GA and NC. But the Midwesterners will give their shirts off their backs to help you out. We couldn't get out of CA fast enough.

You have just met him, he may be just a negative person. Or maybe he's jealous since you live in sunny CA and he in snowy IL.

HaHaha...I suspect he would be just as miserable if your states were reversed! Then he's be saying..."Sure...easy for you--you live in the Midwest where everything's EASY!"

he sounds depressed. doesnt he know that California is like the worst place to live right now? i dont think we are all jumping for joy cheerful here either. he needs to take responsibility right where he is. I'm sure a little sunshine might spread some light on his problems, but California is definitely not the answer.
we all whine when we feel like we dont have options. has he put himself in a hole and wants someone to dig him out of it?
i have a lot of my ex's family that live in Illinois, they love it there and would never consider living in Ca. he has a personal problem. try to find out what THAT is and maybe you can help him out of his funk.

I laughed when I read this, I have to admit. I do think your brother is looking for something to blame other then himself for his misfortunes. However, I do notice a HUGE difference in people that are NOT from IL. They do have a much better disposition most of the time, and especially the warmer climate states. Maybe in part to the weather being nicer, not dealing with cold, snow, etc? I know when spring/summer hits in IL, people are in a MUCH better mood, including myself. I do notice a more 'carefree' attitude in CA people, and I personally like that. Maybe he's just jealous of the fact that you have more then him & has to bring you down?? Just a thought. I'd tell him to stop blaming everything around him for his 'issues' and get a life. Move if he needs to, hopefully not to CA! haha

If you just met him, it might be hard to know how much of this is him and how much can be attributed to current circumstances. I live in Springfield, IL, the capitol city, so I hear so much on the news about the state goverment. Our income tax did just go up big time (Never mind that our taxes haven't been raised in years and our government is really hurting. We were more than overdue), and it is hurting many people. The economy is obviously harder on some people than on others, so maybe he's really feeling the pinch. He could be very discourage about his economic future. Just a thought.

I'm from the Midwest, and so is all of my family (MI, IL, WI, OH). None of us is a "negative Norman."

I think your brother is just a negative person, or a victim, and if you lived in MI, OH, IN, or any other state in the Midwest, he find some other reason for you "not to understand." And if you lived in the same city and state, he'd still find a reason to be a victim.

So, please don't paint Midwesterners with the same brush as the one being used by your brother. I think the Midwest is the best place to live. I'm not sayin' CA isn't great, though. I guess I'm just happy where I am!

I was born and raised in IL...grew up on a farm and then became a 'big city girl downtown'....moved to KY (well Cincinnati) 8 years ago. Personally you could not PAY me enough to move to CA...grant it it is gorgeous (and so are the people) but it Def not me. I love my hiking, camping, fishing, and roughing it. I couldnt afford to do those things I love in CA. . YES you get a bad apple anywhere you go...not saying CA is full of bad peole...but I dont have anything in common with them...so I am content right here in the good ol midwest with an occasional visit to the coasts when I save enough. He does not sound like he is content here. My view is kind of like our country..if you dont like it....leave it. I agree with you, he needs to suck it up , stop bitching and if its THAT BAD get on a 1 yr, 2 yr or 5yr plan and get out of IL...seriously...its not bad

Just talk to him from June to October maybe even 1st 1/2 of November :)

Sounds like he's a perpetual victim: everybody always picks on him; nothing's ever his fault; always expects someone to help him (because heaven forbid he should have to make his own luck). People like that are everywhere -- as are people who are willing to look on the bright side, take responsibility for their own selves and choose to make something of themselves.

On the other hand, I have family in Indiana -- and, boy, are they inclined to victim-hood also! And so willing to settle rather than apply themselves. Don't know if it's more common in the midwest than elsewhere (I'm a New England girl, myself). Just glad that branch of the family is at a bit of a distance! Don't know as I could live near that and not want to shoot somebody!

I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and now live in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up I had an infatuation with the east and west coast because of the sun, sand and all the action seemed to happen in the big urban cities. That was also before the internet happened. Now we are way more closely connected so it doesn't feel so much like being out of the loop as far as cultural trends go. Now I wouldn't live anywhere but the Midwest! I need my space! LOL! People are SO nice and helpful here and even though many parts of the country have struggled with the economy, the Midwest really gets a lot of bang for the buck especially compared to the coastal/big city regions. Someone else posted a fun question about real estate in various parts of the country and it is almost insulting for the exorbitant amount of money people will spend/forced to spend for a little hole in the wall space compared to what you can get in the Midwest!
Having said all that, I think it sounds like your half brother does have a negative outlook on life in general. I have visited many different places in the US and have found many friendly and helpful people along the way. When I moved to Omaha, while people were nice it did take awhile to make close friends. I am a fairly outgoing person, but I moved in my early thirties so many people I was interested in hanging out with were busy with careers or family, and already had a circle of friends to socialize with, so it took awhile to break into those circles.
A.

Please tell him that most from the midwest are very warm and welcoming and if he is experiencing anything but that then he needs to move!
I have heard that those who live near me (chicagoland) have a scarastic and dry sense of humor, but have never heard that we are negative.

sorry to hear that he's down all the time. he may be going through some issues that he just can't explain and this is his way of brushing off your concern?

best wishes to both of you