In Defense of DC
Jan. 27th, 2009 12:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chargirlgeniusI know that the Washington area is the laughing stock of the country the way we shut down when we get snow. I used to laugh at it all of the time, still occasionally do. But our inability to cope with snow and cold like, say, Minnesotans, is valid.
First of all, all of you in northern climes know how crazy it is during the first snowfall of the year. It's like everybody forgot how to drive in it over the summery. Every snowfall here is like that, because they're so few and far between. We just don't get to practice all that much. And when the first snow hits, it's more likely January or February, not October or November. That means that the last time we drove in it was probably last January or February, not just a few months back in April. Many of you in WI and MN get more experience driving in the snow in one month than Washingtonians will get in an entire lifetime. It's not because we're stupid (though some people are), but just inexperienced.
Next, Washington is an international city. Have you ever played the license plate game on long road trips? Where you keep track of all of the states that you've seen? They're all here. I see Hawaii on a regular basis. Even GUAM. And then there are the foreign dignitary plates. Washington is full of people from all over the country and all over the world. People move in for short terms of service, and move out again. It's a constantly shifting place. Many of these drivers are from places like Hawaii, Guam, etc. Some of these people have never seen snow in their lives. That makes it trickier.
In a place like Washington, we have our fair share of "bad drivers". So do other places, for certes, but our bad drivers are bad in a WIDE variety of ways. I've heard it said that in so cal, the bad drivers are at least usually consistent in what you can expect. Not here. That's one reason our traffic is so bad on a normal day.
For example, were my classes not cancelled for tonight, I likely could not have gone, because our sitter is from a warm part of Peru and has never driven in the snow.
As for the cold... Yes, I know that a couple of weeks ago while we were all complaining about the freezing temps, it was 20 below in MN. It's all relative. In both places, it was a good 20 degrees plus lower than what we were used to. How often do we get that? I heard it was the coldest snap in 10 years. Our houses aren't insulated for that kind of weather. Why should we over insulate and over prepare, when it's only happening occasionally? Most people don't have coats that keep you comfortable under 20. Would you spend $100 on a coat you'll only use once every 5-10 years?
We prep for what's normal around here. We have equipment for what we expect. What's better? Prepare for the worst case scenario, or just recognize that people don't have the practice, and close everything occasionally?
I'm sure I'll continue to rant and rave about how people drive, and the stupid things that they do, like the guy who passed the plow on a winding road in front of me this morning. But Washington has it's reasons. I'm growing more and more annoyed at people on weather blogs, etc., taking on an air of superiority about Washington shutting down. We get it. You're used to it. We're not. Stop being a jerk.
ETA: flonzy's comment reminded me of the other point I forgot to make. When we get a storm, it's frequently part ice-storm. Those tend to throw even experienced snow drivers into ditches.
First of all, all of you in northern climes know how crazy it is during the first snowfall of the year. It's like everybody forgot how to drive in it over the summery. Every snowfall here is like that, because they're so few and far between. We just don't get to practice all that much. And when the first snow hits, it's more likely January or February, not October or November. That means that the last time we drove in it was probably last January or February, not just a few months back in April. Many of you in WI and MN get more experience driving in the snow in one month than Washingtonians will get in an entire lifetime. It's not because we're stupid (though some people are), but just inexperienced.
Next, Washington is an international city. Have you ever played the license plate game on long road trips? Where you keep track of all of the states that you've seen? They're all here. I see Hawaii on a regular basis. Even GUAM. And then there are the foreign dignitary plates. Washington is full of people from all over the country and all over the world. People move in for short terms of service, and move out again. It's a constantly shifting place. Many of these drivers are from places like Hawaii, Guam, etc. Some of these people have never seen snow in their lives. That makes it trickier.
In a place like Washington, we have our fair share of "bad drivers". So do other places, for certes, but our bad drivers are bad in a WIDE variety of ways. I've heard it said that in so cal, the bad drivers are at least usually consistent in what you can expect. Not here. That's one reason our traffic is so bad on a normal day.
For example, were my classes not cancelled for tonight, I likely could not have gone, because our sitter is from a warm part of Peru and has never driven in the snow.
As for the cold... Yes, I know that a couple of weeks ago while we were all complaining about the freezing temps, it was 20 below in MN. It's all relative. In both places, it was a good 20 degrees plus lower than what we were used to. How often do we get that? I heard it was the coldest snap in 10 years. Our houses aren't insulated for that kind of weather. Why should we over insulate and over prepare, when it's only happening occasionally? Most people don't have coats that keep you comfortable under 20. Would you spend $100 on a coat you'll only use once every 5-10 years?
We prep for what's normal around here. We have equipment for what we expect. What's better? Prepare for the worst case scenario, or just recognize that people don't have the practice, and close everything occasionally?
I'm sure I'll continue to rant and rave about how people drive, and the stupid things that they do, like the guy who passed the plow on a winding road in front of me this morning. But Washington has it's reasons. I'm growing more and more annoyed at people on weather blogs, etc., taking on an air of superiority about Washington shutting down. We get it. You're used to it. We're not. Stop being a jerk.
ETA: flonzy's comment reminded me of the other point I forgot to make. When we get a storm, it's frequently part ice-storm. Those tend to throw even experienced snow drivers into ditches.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-28 01:37 pm (UTC)I think they should RE-test everyone every so many years, seriously, because I don't care what state you live in, there are some BAD drivers out there from ALL over, and they just have to pass once in some state somewhere, and most any other state will transfer their license over if they move, without re-testing, and you can just renew renew renew, until your vision goes out (read: you get to be an old fart who can't see), and THEN they finally take it away...