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I could ask the same question in reverse. Why are Northerners scared of the heat? Do they think it will kill them when the temperature hits 90?
Southerners aren't necessarily scared of the cold. They just don't like it and aren't used to it. I lived in New England for 18 years and never adjusted to the cold so I can only imagine how hard it would be for someone that's never lived somewhere cold. And no, they don't expect it to be summer year round. Much of the South is in the 50s during the winter...not as cold as the North, but that's certainly not summer weather. Much of the South enjoys a nice 3 season climate...all they miss out on is winter but if you hate the cold then it's a good thing to miss out on winter. People are free to live where they like. If someone wants warmth, what's wrong with them living somewhere warm?
I agree it's mostly just about what they're used to. However I don't think it's universal. I liked the cold when I was a kid in Arkansas.
Body type also matters. If you are "tall and lanky" your body will, generally speaking, lose heat faster so you will likely prefer warmer. If you're "short and squat", as I am, your body retains a good deal of heat on its own so you likely will prefer cooler. I think the South has a fair rate of obesity, but I don't know its average height. If my theory is correct short overweight Southerners shouldn't complain of the cold so much.
(Off-topic but going by this I would say the Sudanese and Rwandans, by selection or design, are likely "made for warm climate." They tend to be long and lanky in body-type with dark-skin to prevent burning or cancer. However I believe many Sudanese settled in places like Minnesota so who knows.)
I am definitely not one of those types. I was born and grew up in Southern Mississippi.
We lived in Houston Texas for a few years and then back to Mississippi. At age 20, I moved to Virginia with my ex husband...I loved seeing the seasons change. I even survived the snow and a couple of Blizzards. My divorce brought me back to Mississippi. A few years later, after remarrying...We moved to Arizona. I loved it out there...and we were there for 3 and a half years. After Katrina hit, we came back to Mississippi.
Now...I am over the heat and humidity of ALL year long. This past Winter....there were not a lot of cold days. Now, we are planning a move to Maine after the kids get out of school next May (2010). We are all ready for a change and to actually enjoy each season.
We are already living in a smaller community...shopping about 15-30 minutes away, depending on where you want to shop....so commuting to shop isn't a big deal. Snow...will be new to see most of the year...but hey...that's what we want!
Most people around here love the summer and summer like weather all year long...not me. I like to bundle up and cuddle....hard to cuddle when you are sweating! haha! I think living in Virginia those four years did it for me. To actually witness snow and how beautiful the landscape is when covered with snow.....I can't wait!
I have family in Maine and have visited many times during the winter. Virginia winters are nothing compared to Maine. Even if you like the cold, driving in the snow will be hard if you're not used to it. You are free to move to Maine if you want to but I am just warning you.
I agree it's mostly just about what they're used to. However I don't think it's universal. I liked the cold when I was a kid in Arkansas.
Body type also matters. If you are "tall and lanky" your body will, generally speaking, lose heat faster so you will likely prefer warmer. If you're "short and squat", as I am, your body retains a good deal of heat on its own so you likely will prefer cooler. I think the South has a fair rate of obesity, but I don't know its average height. If my theory is correct short overweight Southerners shouldn't complain of the cold so much.
(Off-topic but going by this I would say the Sudanese and Rwandans, by selection or design, are likely "made for warm climate." They tend to be long and lanky in body-type with dark-skin to prevent burning or cancer. However I believe many Sudanese settled in places like Minnesota so who knows.)
The human race originated in Africa. This leads to my theory that humans in general were meant for the heat and not the cold. After all, we were born in our birthday suit...not a thick layer of fur.
they constantly complain about the winter and say the weather is bad if it's cold or if it snows....lol, what do they expect? to be summer forever? I personally prefer to experience 4 seasons like in the East Coast. The cold is what keeps me awake and alert but too much of it would be annoying, same for summer.
Well, first of all, in my part of the South, it DOES get cold.
I have and use a fireplace (as do several million of my immediate neighbors), have more sweaters than I can count, a long wool coat, multiple scarves, gloves and several jackets.
The South is not monolithic, but I suspect you already knew that.
Are they really Southerners or transplants to the South who moved because they couldn't take the Northern cold? Then any little bit of "cold" makes them go ballistic.
Are they really Southerners or transplants to the South who moved because they couldn't take the Northern cold? Then any little bit of "cold" makes them go ballistic.
Not in my part of the South. Unless they are recent transplants from South Florida.
same reason northerners don't like heat.
It's just what people are used to. High temp and even higher humidity doesn't bother me at all but the minute the temp drops below 65 F I can't function.
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