Hot in Herre

The Chinese have a seriously different approach to the temperature than Canadians.

Where I currently am is warmer than parts of Canada (not cold enough for snow, but cold enough for frost and numb toes) so it's really not surprising that there would be differences in how the two countries prepare for and approach the cold. But I must say - and please don't shoot me - I'd rather take the cold of Canada than the cold of China.

You see, when it's cold in Canada you know you can always count on going inside to the warmth of central heating, or a fireplace or what have you. If you're out shopping at the local mall, you'll probably often end up dragging around your 48lb, down-filled winter jacket like a ball and chain.

And as soon as you enter a building you shed your multiple extra layers: your jacket, scarf, mittens, hat, and your all-purpose rain/snow/salt proof boots. And even without all these layers you're perfectly comfortable chilling on the couch in a sweater and jeans. Maybe even just a tshirt and jeans.

When you're ready (or forced) to brave the cold again, you put your million layers back on, run the few metres to the car, and crank the heater up to full blast until that hot air actually dries your eyes out and you have to furiously start blinking to bring moisture back to them.

And then you pull into your driveway, park in the garage - or as close to the front door as you possibly can with those blasted snowbanks in the way - run the few metres to the door, strip off your million layers, pull on your comfy, warm slippers, grab a mug of hot chocolate, tea or coffee and relax in front of the gas fireplace that warms up the room in mere minutes.

It's not like that in China.

At all.

No, instead I'll be teaching my class in around 0°C weather. I'll have on my winter jacket (bought in Canada, made in China), my fall jacket (bought in China, made in France), a long sleeve collared shirt, a long sleeve tshirt, a tank top, jeans, thick socks (which are impossible to find in China), and a scarf. The windows will have been left open overnight for "fresh air" so I can easily see my breath and I'll usually start the lesson visibly shivering.

Once the lesson is done I'll go to my office where it's a few degrees warmer because the room is a fair bit smaller and occasionally they'll decide to turn on the heater. The heater, of course, is at the other side of the room, while I'm right next to the door which is constantly being swung open and closed with visitors.

But then - at the opposite end of the spectrum - I burn my mouth on food that is so hot it really ought to come with warning label. Yet everyone else will gulp down a bowlful of soup in the same amount of time it takes me to blow on one spoonful to a drinkable temperature.

Go figure.