--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I left the Midwest feeling like, \"People…" description: "\"I left the Midwest feeling like, \"People are small-minded, they don't want to ask questions, they don't want to think out of the box.\" Some of that was..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg" --- # I left the Midwest feeling like, "People are small-minded… ![“I left the Midwest feeling like, "People are small-minded, they don't want to ask questions, they don't want to think out of the box." Some of that was true.” quote by Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg) > “I left the Midwest feeling like, "People are small-minded, they don't want to ask questions, they don't want to think out of the box." Some of that was true.” [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Small‑mindedness limits curiosity; questioning norms fuels growth. **In simple terms:** Closed minds hinder innovation. Key Takeaway Cultivate curiosity and challenge assumptions. Themes mindset creativity growth Mood inspirational encouraging Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - education - workplace - personal development Key Concepts critical thinking open‑mindedness Questions to Reflect On - What environments encourage questioning? - How can you inspire others to think differently? A Different Perspective Not everyone is unwilling; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Midwest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midwest/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I left the Midwest thinking I didn't fit in. But when I got to New York, I realized how truly Midwestern I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-left-the-midwest-thinking-i-didn-t-fit-in-but-when-i-got-to-new/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [I left the Midwest when I was twelve years old, and I haven't lived in a small town since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-simpson/i-left-the-midwest-when-i-was-twelve-years-old-and-i-haven-t-lived-in/) [Mona Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-simpson/) > [You need to get out of your comfort zone, return to the Midwest, see some family, and, as cheesy as it sounds, work the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/you-need-to-get-out-of-your-comfort-zone-return-to-the-midwest-see/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [To many small minded people in this world! Just because I have different views to you. Research for once and stop reading the sun!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-many-small-minded-people-in-this-world-just-because-i-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [This worlds too big to let small minded people stand in my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-worlds-too-big-to-let-small-minded-people-stand-in-my-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I go to a school where there's alot of small minded people, people who think they're cool, & everyone talks shit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-go-to-a-school-where-there-s-alot-of-small-minded-people-people-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't give up. Don't listen to these foolish critics that are so small minded they don't get it tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/don-t-give-up-don-t-listen-to-these-foolish-critics-that-are-so-small/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [“But no matter,” Grandmother said. “Let’s let small-minded people live within the confines of their small-minded assumptions while the rest of us carry on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-paulson/but-no-matter-grandmother-said-let-s-let-small-minded-people-live/) [Ingrid Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-paulson/) > [“Much to the confusion of small-minded people, confidence does not equate arrogance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hurdle/much-to-the-confusion-of-small-minded-people-confidence-does-not/) [Amber Hurdle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hurdle/) > [You see, small minded people with big mouths only want two things. 1) Attention 2) Satisfaction of bringing strong minded people down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-see-small-minded-people-with-big-mouths-only-want-two-things-1/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Small-minded fools are everywhere and those with the courage to be who they are often have to suffer them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/small-minded-fools-are-everywhere-and-those-with-the-courage-to-be/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“Jane wondered why small-minded people often form such large groups as she made her way home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-nicolaisen/jane-wondered-why-small-minded-people-often-form-such-large-groups-as/) [Chris Nicolaisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-nicolaisen/) > [“You can’t change the opinions of small-minded people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-grover-swank/you-can-t-change-the-opinions-of-small-minded-people/) [Denise Grover Swank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-grover-swank/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't let small minded people dictate how you should look and be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-molko/don-t-let-small-minded-people-dictate-how-you-should-look-and-be-free/) [Brian Molko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-molko/) ## More by Lissie > [Whether I'm a hero or a zero doesn't really matter. It's all perception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/whether-i-m-a-hero-or-a-zero-doesn-t-really-matter-it-s-all-perception/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [In my 20s, my mom and I went and saw the bridges of Madison County, which are in Iowa, and I had seen that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/in-my-20s-my-mom-and-i-went-and-saw-the-bridges-of-madison-county/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [ \[My ideal\] is being able to be outdoors, have a labor intensive life, and then have this other life, where I hop on a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/my-ideal-is-being-able-to-be-outdoors-have-a-labor-intensive-life-and/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I was toying with the idea of ambivalence a lot. It's something I work on, not being so invested in outcomes and being more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-was-toying-with-the-idea-of-ambivalence-a-lot-it-s-something-i-work/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [You need to get out of your comfort zone, return to the Midwest, see some family, and, as cheesy as it sounds, work the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/you-need-to-get-out-of-your-comfort-zone-return-to-the-midwest-see/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [Iowans are super talkative, like me. I'm very talkative. I'm very curious about strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/iowans-are-super-talkative-like-me-i-m-very-talkative-i-m-very/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [The more you get into conversations with people, you find out they've been brainwashed by the news and they don't actually know any better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/the-more-you-get-into-conversations-with-people-you-find-out-they-ve/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I don't want to get into an argument at the bar with some old racist homophobic person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-don-t-want-to-get-into-an-argument-at-the-bar-with-some-old-racist/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I keep re-watching Friends. It's so dumb. There's so much good TV and I'm really into all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-keep-re-watching-friends-it-s-so-dumb-there-s-so-much-good-tv-and-i/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I want to push myself to be brave and out of my comfort zone, but I guess I stay in my comfort zone knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-want-to-push-myself-to-be-brave-and-out-of-my-comfort-zone-but-i/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [There was a time in my late teens and early 20s where I was motivated by this wanting to get out, to prove to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/there-was-a-time-in-my-late-teens-and-early-20s-where-i-was-motivated/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I'll always want to play and share my music with as many people as I can, but the emphasis is more on how do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-ll-always-want-to-play-and-share-my-music-with-as-many-people-as-i/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I lived in a small city on the Mississippi River across from Iowa, so I didn't have a country upbringing, but in high school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-lived-in-a-small-city-on-the-mississippi-river-across-from-iowa-so/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [I'm really close to my family. As I get older, it's like they're the only people I really talk to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-m-really-close-to-my-family-as-i-get-older-it-s-like-they-re-the/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) > [For a long time I wanted to be special and to stick out amongst the crowd. Something I yearn for now is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/for-a-long-time-i-wanted-to-be-special-and-to-stick-out-amongst-the/) [Lissie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) [Explore all 21 Lissie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/) ## More Ask questions quotes > [“What about you? What do you do?” I needed to ask questions, draw him out. I needed to find out all the information I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-avery-ellison/what-about-you-what-do-you-do-i-needed-to-ask-questions-draw-him-out/) [Kate Avery Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-avery-ellison/) > [I was allowed to believe things that weren't true and I would ask questions about them and talk about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-taylor-greene/i-was-allowed-to-believe-things-that-weren-t-true-and-i-would-ask/) [Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-taylor-greene/) > [We in US need active intelligence: people being on the streets, people being able to stop and ask questions of individuals that they suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/we-in-us-need-active-intelligence-people-being-on-the-streets-people/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [“Love first; ask questions later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-courtney/love-first-ask-questions-later/) [Jeremy Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-courtney/) > [What makes us human, I think, is an ability to ask questions, a consequence of our sophisticated spoken language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/what-makes-us-human-i-think-is-an-ability-to-ask-questions-a/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [“you do that all the time you know. you ask me questions when you know the answer will piss you off. ask me a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/you-do-that-all-the-time-you-know-you-ask-me-questions-when-you-know/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [I feel really strongly about not wanting to overly guide the reader about what he or she should think. I really trust the reader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/i-feel-really-strongly-about-not-wanting-to-overly-guide-the-reader/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [For the most part, if somebody approaches me and says, 'I'd like to interview you,' who am I to say no, when I spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/for-the-most-part-if-somebody-approaches-me-and-says-i-d-like-to/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [...all the answers are but waiting for us while we, poor fools, ask questions and wait for the secrets of God to open themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-asad/all-the-answers-are-but-waiting-for-us-while-we-poor-fools-ask/) [Muhammad Asad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-asad/) > [“It’s funny how the devout pretend like they want people to ask questions, but really they only want you to ask the questions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-m-klein/it-s-funny-how-the-devout-pretend-like-they-want-people-to-ask/) [Tal M. Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-m-klein/) > [“This was a success in itself, but it came with an added and unexpected benefit: The act of thinking about the problem and responding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-was-a-success-in-itself-but-it-came-with-an-added-and-unexpected/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [I feel like a good director provokes you to ask questions about your character, but doesn't answer them for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-reed/i-feel-like-a-good-director-provokes-you-to-ask-questions-about-your/) [Crystal Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-reed/) > [“You ask questions. You take your life seriously, but you don't take yourself too seriously. You're going to take over the world, and change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-amoruso/you-ask-questions-you-take-your-life-seriously-but-you-don-t-take/) [Sophia Amoruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-amoruso/) > [The most subversive people are those who ask questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jostein-gaarder/the-most-subversive-people-are-those-who-ask-questions/) [Jostein Gaarder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jostein-gaarder/) > [Rules for texting a girl: 1. Don't take 40 minutes to reply. 2. Use good grammar. 3. Ask Questions. 4. Use the :) face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rules-for-texting-a-girl-1-don-t-take-40-minutes-to-reply-2-use-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 828 Ask questions quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I left the Midwest feeling like, \"People are small-minded, they don't want to ask questions, they don't want to think out of the box.\" Some of that was true.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lissie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-are-small-minded-they-don-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ask questions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-are-small-minded-they-don-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/lissie-26558_ask-questions_i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-a_1374094.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I left the Midwest feeling like, \"People are small-minded, they don't want to ask questions, they don't want…” — Lissie", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lissie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I left the Midwest feeling like,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-are-small-minded-they-don-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissie/i-left-the-midwest-feeling-like-people-are-small-minded-they-don-t/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```