It’s frrrreeeeeezzzzzing out there! I honestly can’t remember a winter being this cold, this early. Yes I know we live in Canada. Believe me, I’ve heard all the cliches and the rants. I’m not complaining about the cold, simply commenting and letting you know I hate winter. This is the time of year, every year, when I question why we live where we do.
My annual trek to Cuba at the end of January with my sister is what inspires me to bundle up and enjoy. Yes, enjoy. I count my blessings by the plethora of layers of clothing I have at my disposal and by the countdown to my flight out o’ here.
The chill in the air makes me ponder if cold actually does give you brain freeze. As the temperature drops, it seems the IQ of the general public goes with it. Not a day goes by when I’m not surprised, astounded even, by the general basic stupidity of humans.
The cold seems to numb all sense of reason from us.
Take driving. Our dinner conversation these days often includes commentary on the lack of sensible driving skills in this cold snap. Roads are reasonably clear and many drivers are crawling along at 40 km an hour. That is, until they come to a stop light that is yellow. It seems inclement weather and less than optimal driving conditions means that you just keep driving through a green light; yellow light; even red light because… I’m not sure of the because. It is so frustrating to be surrounded by co-drivers who seem to have lost their capacity to drive. What is it that makes us so stupid in bad weather? Brain freeze. I’m sure it’s brain freeze. This atmosphere brings defensive driving to a whole new level.
And yet, we are blessed to have the privilege of driving, of vehicles that can get us from point A to point B, no matter what the weather, at least most of the time. When I have occasion to complain about the weather, the driving conditions – and most significantly, the driving prowess of others – my children have reason to say my complaints are ‘first world problems’. This is a soberingly real term.
Think about it. First world problems. Things like “I can’t find the right balance between my fan and my electric blanket” or “I type so fast that my expensive fake nails keep hitting the wrong keys.”
First world problems. This is the terminology for frustrations and complaints experienced by those of us who are privileged to live in wealthy countries. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, comedic phrase to make light of trivial inconveniences. Thinking about it, it isn’t funny, it’s sad and it’s something the young people of today can easily identify.
The first urban dictionary entry for ‘First World Problems’ was submitted Aug. 10, 2005. Definition: “Problems from living in a wealthy, industrialized nation that third worlders would probably roll their eyes at.”
First world - developed countries and their citizens. Third world - countries that did not take part in either capitalism or communism. It sports a negative connotation associated with poverty and underdeveloped countries.
With these frigid weather conditions, many of us are spewing first world problems, forgetting the myriad of blessings we enjoy. A recent Facebook post by a local Guelphite says it best:
“I've been holding it in for a couple weeks but I'm at my snapping point! In case some people don't realize - we live in CANADA! We live in an area where winter happens, snow happens and sometimes the weather is unpredictable! Is it irritating? Sure! Is it damn cold? Absolutely! But SERIOUSLY! Dress accordingly, add a couple layers, bundle your arse up!! This weather should not be overly surprising to you unless you just moved here from somewhere where snow and cold were just whispers in the wind and far off phenomena! It's January, it's winter, it's cold! Suck it up, bundle up, and take a step back. Look around and enjoy the absolute beauty that a snow covered scene brings!”
Time to give our heads a shake, bundle up and count our blessings.
Now, if we could just get crazy winter drivers under control.
Nancy Revie is a Guelph author, motivational speaker, fitness instructor and entertainer. Visit Nancy at www.nancyrevie.com.
