Hi,

I would like to have the valuable contribution from our senior desis about getting themselves adjusted to the freezing temps. in minus / Zero degrees in Canada (When they shifted from India and faced their very first Winters) as against the usual avg. winter temperatures of 10~15 Deg. in India. Though they are higher in South , South / Central part of India (about mid 20s) even in the peakest season.

I read in one of the threads that when we had our first meet recently, the outside temp. was about -35 Deg. which is unimaginable from the point of view of desis who are still in India and have never experienced such bitter winters.

Dear Senior desis please advise us on how fast can we get adapted to this reverse trend in low temps. against the sun shine and warm temps we have enjoyed over a period of 20~25 years.

And, what should be the Special Winter Clothing / combat plan.

Warm regards

Amit

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Now, Not "Hardwork" but "Smartwork" is the Key to Success.

I landed in Toronto in August about 8 yrs ago. Sometime around november/dec the sunny sky tricked me into thinking that it was warm enough to wear just a tshirt n jeans. Needless to say I beat a hasty retreat in less than a blocks walk @ Markham and Ellesmere.
Yes outdoors is tough in the biting cold. However, indoors is another story altogether and during the meeting Chandresh looked really comfortable in his dapper Kurta. So in the winter you will be spending most of the time indoors...malls, grocery, dept stores, cars etc where the temperature is controlled. Its not such a big deal.

When you step outside dress really warmly. Here are a Montrealers tips for staying warm
1) Good winter boots. Ones with 'thinsulate' lining will keep your feet warm even in the toughest of winters. Your extremities are the first body parts to lose heat.
2) Good winter jacket. Preferably, one with a hood. even If you have a touque. Wear your toque under your hood for added protection.
3) Dress in layers...thermal underwear can be a good friend in the biting cold.
4) Good gloves...again with thinsulate lining. However I have not found a pair of gloves that will keep my fingers warm in -25. At that point put your hands, gloves and all into your jacket pocket(so remember to by a jacket ewith pockets where you can shove your hands into).
5) When its really cold like -30...dont plan to spend more than 10 minutes outside.
6) A good mosturising ointment to keep your skin from losing moisture.
7) Take up some winter sports and make the best of it. You only live once!

And lastly...if you can live in a home/apartment that offers a good/open view of the outdoors...it may make a difference to your mood. It is not much fun when it is dark at 4pm and gloomy during the rest of the day. Atleast, for me it makes a difference.

A few I could think of..the others may have more ideas. I think we have covered this before, but I could not find the thread.

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most desis do a mistake.. buy winter jackets from india. DONT. the leather jackets you buy in india are no good here. you spend 4000/- indian rupees on them and they are useless here (not really) instead, bring that money here and buy a suitable one here.

bring good sweaters from india. because.. here, we get most of sweaters manufactured in india for a high price.

shoes again, you get good shoes in canada which are suitable for snow walking. may be you get good in india also.. but a brand like woodlands who has good shoes.. cost thousands. so, better buy here. we get winter shoes for less also here.

thermals from india are very warm. but they are itchy. if you are okey with that discomfort, go for them. again they are costly like 500+500 in india i guess (or above)

important thing.. have winter cream. apply generously to protect your skin. also lip balm.

wear many layers of clothes. dont wear a single thick one. you can wear thin ones.. but wear like 4,5 layers of clothing. that way, when you go into a office or anywhere.. where heating is on.. you can simply take off your jacket, a sweater or two.

new immigrants may need like 2 sweaters and a winter jacket on top of them. this should easily protect you upto -40 temp.

same way.. have a bigger size shoes. that way.. if it is too cold you can wear 2 socks and then shoes.

for head.. many new immigrants bring monkey caps (wool head gear) they are okey here.. but do not look good really. you can have practical clothing and still look great by wearing a bandena (this is similar to money cap minus the covering for mouth) but if winds are gusty, go with some thing that covers your nose.. ie., our monkey cap.

now, have tissues handy in you pocket or bag. because the moment you start walking outside.. you nose will start running. have plenty of facial tissues (you get extra soft in kleenex during winter for low price)

use this tissue when you sneeze. also.. during winter.. take that extra care to keep your nose clean without that nosal hair. cause.. in winter.. you nose can look real ugly !!

then.. good winter gloves or mittens. jeans are best to wear. but some jobs do not allow you to wear jeans to work. so.. wear thermals beneath them.

hope this helps.

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I am not Bossy! I just have better ideas!!

Good advice from both Jake and Suryau - I don't think there needs to be any addition - except one!

Like other things in life, a lot matters on the attitude. How well are you mentally prepared to fight or bear the winter makes a lot of difference. I have found many people who start shivering simply with the mention of sub-zero temperatures - for them -2 is unthinkable. Personally I have found that when not in the right mood to handle winter, -5 with a sweater and a a jacket was colder than -10 with just a shirt with a inner vest.

But above all, what really kills you is the wind chill - the speed with which wind is blowing. A -20 with almost no windchill is easier to face compared to say -7 with windchill of 10 making it -17.

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Suryau, Thanks for mentioning the monkey caps.
New immigrants, you can get good touques for 5-10$. Leave the monkey caps behind

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Thank you Guys..for this valuable input.

Warm regards

Amit

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Now, Not "Hardwork" but "Smartwork" is the Key to Success.

It's a long URL, but important winter advice.

rtsp://a802.v87525.c8752.g.vr.akamaistream.net/ondemand/7/802/8752/1073954285000/origin.media.cbc.ca/newsworld/real/clips/mondayreport/winteradvice_shirleydouglas.rm?title=\"CBC News\"&author=\"CBC News\"©right=\"CBC News\"

Cut and paste this into IE. Real Player is required

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