Why Do People Take the Weather So Personally?

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | April 17, 2018

No. 1,471

Does this look familiar? Of course it does. It happens almost every year.

If you just stand around in a group or strike up a conversation, chances are good that the weather will be the first topic of conversation.

Why?  Is snowfall in the middle of April so incredible?  And why do so many people seem to think that the weather has anything to do with them personally? “My luck!” he or she will say, to one or more people who nod in agreement. But of course, there is no luck involved.

Yes, if pressed, they will admit that the causes of  weather are not magical and that winter stays around too long fairly often.  But many of us talk like winter is a personal curse that should have been lifted if justice be done. Say it enough and you will believe it.

Harmless affectations?  Not really. Permitting ourselves to repeatedly entertain such thinking oppresses the mind.  We adopt a loser mentality. Complaining also wastes time and distracts us from doing something worthwhile.

The truth is, we have done something about it. We are fortunate to live in an age when we can hide indoors most of the time in a climate just like we think Springtime ought to be. If we want, we can flee to another zone we prefer — temporarily or for the duration.

Our ancestors, who were exposed to the brutality of the elements with very little escape, had the right to feel like a victim.  But I’ll bet they didn’t grouse about it nearly as much as we do. They had work to do and so do we.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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