Well, Am I?

[ItsAHollyJollyTee]

I grew up on the East Coast of the US. Every winter was like the one we're having now. But we dealt with it. We had snow tires. Schools did close, but maybe for a day. Because towns were prepared for it. Snowploughs. Grit. Salt.

As I sit here reading thread after thread about people being stuck, sliding, towns not ready for this, AIBU to expect it to be time for the people of the UK to get ready for this?

This is like last year. It will probably be like this next year.

So isn't it time to stop saying 'the UK never gets weather like this' and admit that, yeah, now we do. So let's be ready?

Thanks sufi It is quite impressive- we even made the metoffice update :

"The snow was heavy for several hours and gave 20cm at Farnborough"

Still I am sure it will hit you soon too, so fingers crossed it isnt too bad!!

thanks SGM (you know it's me booy don't you?)

i got bored with my xmas name last night so changed it. think i might stick with this one!

then again, maybe not!

I didn't know it was you either booy! Sneaky girl!!!

Although I admit I was a bit irked by the OP's suggestion that people where she grew up were better able to deal with snow, I didn't read it as a US -v- UK thing. Just that in places where there is almost guaranteed weather, people there will know what to do -v- places where that weather isn't expected.

Back in 1976, the year of the long summer which started with a heat wave and thunder storms in early May and went on until September, a neighbour was surprised that we Brits didn't know how to cope with that, and were doing everything wrong. Hot days were usually coped with by opening some windows to get a draught through, and then to close the windows/draw the curtains at night to keep out the colder night air.

The neighbour came from a European country, near to the Adriatic, and knew that to cope with a long hot summer was to close the windows and close the curtains/shutters to keep out the sun during the day, then open the windows during the night to allow in the cooler night air - completely the opposite to our normal behaviour.

I did take her advice, which was very helpful that summer with a new born. But she still thought that my DH and I were being a tad ridiculous for standing out in the garden when the rains came in September, just enjoying getting wet.

Ye glods and little fishes - another essay.

However, name changes don't bother me because I can never figure out who's who. I do remember reading a posting and being puzzled because I thought exactly the same, only to realise it was mine.

I would agree with that SGM.

hugglymugly I knew people would be irked, as you say, but I do think there is a real lack of personal responsibility coming out with this snow. Here in NI there has been a ton of 'passing the buck' even among the Councils as to who should be gritting, so no one is gritting.

Someone needs to takes the responsibility for making the roads/pavements safe for all. And no one is.