Glad you're here! Today, let's talk about how winter completely changes the way you live. And trust me: the difference between Canada and Italy is huge!
Canadian winter = social hibernation
From November to March, your social life basically stops. But we're talking about -25°C here, not just "a bit chilly." With temperatures that freeze your breath in 30 seconds, going outside literally becomes dangerous.
At -25°C it's not about "putting on an extra jacket." It's about survival: the air burns your skin, and walking for more than 10 minutes can give you frostbite.
Our winter activities? Netflix and chill, out of necessity. We plan movie nights at home, order food delivery, and do video calls with friends because meeting up in person means risking hypothermia. Bars close early, restaurants empty out. If you go out, it's for an absolute necessity: work, quick groceries, the gym.
Italian winter = life goes on
My first winter in Florence, January: 3°C, I'm at home in my pajamas thinking "Perfect, hibernation season activated."
At 6 pm a friend texts me: "Aperitivo tonight?"
"But it's 3°C!" I answer.
"So what? We'll just wear a scarf!" he says.
That's when I realized Italians are right: even at 3°C you can live normally! Spritz at 6 pm? Totally doable. Evening walk in the city? Possible. Dinner out? Of course, just wear a good coat.
- Canada: -25°C = real risk of freezing, forced isolation
- Italy: +3°C = "kinda cold", but normal life goes on
In Canada, winter is a real enemy that can kill you. In Italy, it's just winter.
- Frostbite = when your skin freezes
- Netflix and chill = relaxing at home watching TV shows
- Movie nights = evenings dedicated to watching movies together