I Made Someone Really Mad, What Should I Do?

Don't worry about it. It's all relative. We laugh about how you northerners have "heat waves". It's the same concept-you don't all have air conditioning like we do here in the south just like we don't have adequate equipment to deal with ice/snow when it happens.

Step away from facebook, I repeat, step away from facebook.

Some people just freak out. It's best to let it go.

While I am not aware of this story, I have to admit, when I hear people in other regions where you typically don't get snow, complain about one or two inches of snow...I automatically think..."...I live in Chicago.....suck it up folks, that's not a snow storm....." without realizing that these people are not accustomed to dealing with ANY snow, so that really is a game changer.

For them, it is a terrible situation and 2 inches of snow can and has shut down many a city in the south. In most cases, these cities don't even have proper equipment to handle any snow period, so I can see how they could become touchy because they think you are being insensitive to their situation when you really don't understand. Just like they would not be able to fathom how we function in a foot of snow and below zero windchills. I would let it go.

Wow - I'm going to try my hardest to be polite. You see the world only through your eyes and your narrow perspective. 2 inches of snow is nothing for communitieis with snow plows, shovels, trucks with sand/salt spreaders and a stockpile of salt which they have becuase they know they'll need it.

Consider these things - communities in the Atlanta area don't have sand/salt supplies or spreaders or plows. Why would they? People don't have winter coats, gloves, hats or scarves. Why would they? The weather was not simply 2 inches of snow. It was sheet black ice. Again - they don't have sand/salt spreading trucks to send out in advance of, and during the storm to make the roads passable like they do here in NY.

Then consider that the timing of the storm couldn't have been worse - it was mid-day and sudden. Kids were at school, people were at the grocery store, they got stuck in their cars trying to get home. Had it happened at 10p.m. or 2a.m. most people would have been home. Kids wouldn't have been stuck at school or on the bus, people wouldn't have had to sleep in their cars or at the grocery store. Can you imagine your 8 yr old on a bus in 20 degree weather without a winter coat or gloves? Apparently the streets were so slick cars, buses and trucks couldn't get up even slight inclines.

I used to wonder why my niece's community in Williamsburg, VA would close the school when there was an inch of snow and 25 degrees outside - then I learned it was because the kids don't have the proper clothing to stand outside waiting for the bus, the towns don't have sand/salt spreaders & plows and the people don't know how to drive in the snow.

So before you open your moth and insert your foot, think. Think outside of your world, outside of the things you know and consider other possibilities. And even then - maybe just say less. It was a hard lesson I had to learn - and at age 54 I'm still working on. There's a Proverb that Abraham Lincoln was known to quote that goes something like : if you keep your mouth shut people might think you're ignorant. But if you open your mouth you'll confirm it. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing.

But now you need to apologize for your short-sighted and cold comments. (no pun intended.)

You don't get it because you grew up with it. We did not.

Do you remember when Hurricane Sandy tore through up north? It was devastating for them. Down here, we were shaking our heads and calling that a baby hurricane. As you've already stated, it's regional. (Oh, and you know how we handled that? Through our playful mocking, we sent up our resources. We went up and organized for them because we knew what would go into rebuilding.)

I think that this is a good lesson in compassion. You don't have to understand it in order for it to be a big deal for somebody else. That's self-centered thinking. All you need to know is that, for WHATEVER reason, this event has greatly affected a whole group of people. Don't dismiss and invalidate their experience based on what goes on in your life.

If she is important to you, then I think that you should apologize for your insensitivity--one time, genuinely. You should stop talking about it if you are unable to do so wth compassion.

PS. When it snows up north, the weather has pretty much decided what it wants to do. You get the dry powder snow, and it stays cold enough to keep it frozen. We might get a little snow, but our temperatures are still warm enough that it's more icy. And then we get some actual rain on top of that ice that will then freeze and become icier. It's actually more slippery than what you get because it never gets cold enough here for the precipitation to be hard and "dry". We can hardly walk on it. Even people from up north have difficulty driving on it. Snow tires wouldn't even be enough because it's not snow. The tires would need four-inch sharp steel spikes, like an ice pick.

People don't have to be driving "fast" to slide into something and do great damage. That's the beauty of slippery ICE. When you combine it with a two-ton machine, it doesn't even matter how slowly you move. Like I said, walking on it is a big challenge.

Another reason they tell us to stay home is that any emergency that we are involved in would call for emergency workers to come out, and that would put them in harm's way.

Atlanta traffic on a good day is a nightmare. Throw in everyone leaving work and school at the same time and bad weather and you've got Armageddon. Yes, 2 inches of snow and ice can shut down a city. If the roads are already packed and a jack knifed semi is blocking them, where are people going to go?? It's not so much about the snow as it is about horrendous traffic and some accidents. No, southerners don't have any clue about driving in ice. "Drive slow" doesn't help us out too much. I'm a native Floridian. I hit a patch of ice going MAYBE 2 mph one time and it scared the piss outta me! What you said was about as sensitive as a Floridian criticizing New Jersey for Hurricane Sandy.

I live in Alaska. Here, we don't close schools for snow, not unless we get over 12 inches in less then 24 hours, and usually not even then. We do sometimes close schools for extreme ice, but that is it. Our kids do outside recess unless it is below -4. So, at first I also laughed at the south for all their fussiness over a couple of inches, but then I thought about it further.

Here in AK we have a whole team of snow plows and gravel trucks ready to go at a moments notice and to run 24/7, in the south they do not. Here in AK everyone has all season tires, good tires, and/or studs, in the south they do not. Here in AK we have 4 wheel drive school buses with chains, in the south they do not. The reason two inches closes everything down is because they simply are not prepared for it, and it would be a waste of money for them to be prepared because the chances of them getting a winter like this one are so very rare.

Also, cold is very relative. You get used to the area you live in. When I was in Alabama in December people were bundled up like it was cold, while I was in shorts and a tank top. Here in AK we get the shorts out at 30-40 degrees, because to us that feels comfortable. When I first moved from Idaho to Okinawa I thought I would melt, but after a couple of years I did not even notice the heat anymore. When I moved to Alaska I thought I would freeze, but after a couple of years I am out there snowshoeing in a tank top with the rest of them. Its all about what we are used to and prepared for.

Contact her and say: "My bad! I'm smarter today than I was yesterday. I didn't understand the situation as it affects the South, I ask your forgiveness, and I am shutting my mouth. Mouth officially shut." That's not too hard

Yes, it's bad down there. It's as if a hurricane or a tornado hit. We people in Missouri - and Colorado - have much more experience dealing with winter weather, and having that experience makes a huge difference. We often forget how much preparedness is made in our areas every year before winter even hits us. You can imagine how it would be if that pre-planning and preparedness weren't there.

The other person may well be overreacting, but that can her problem. Your job? Just 'fess up and move on.

I think H Looloo said it nicely:
"I think that this is a good lesson in compassion. You don't have to understand it in order for it to be a big deal for somebody else. "

I live here in Portland-- have lived in Oregon most of my life. When there's snow in the forecast, it's not uncommon for regularly scheduled programming to be cancelled so we get the 24 hours coverage. What's worse? We have lots of people from back East laughing their asses off at the natives. My husband is from Long Island and Connecticut and will say "I'm fine" as he gets ready to drive to work. I remind him that I'm not concerned about his ability to drive in the snow, I'm concerned about every other yayhoo out there who isn't experienced with this.

Our schools were delayed, then closed, due to icy roads and two crashes by where the school bus lot is.--it's a more remote part of town and is more likely to have colder weather than the rest of town. Parents were furious... "this is nothing"... but again, there isn't a great infrastructure to take care of getting the roads de-iced early on. Once again, the parents from other parts of the country were thinking we natives were wimps. Sorry,but if Joey's heading out to high school in the car and he hasn't driven in snow and there IS black ice.... we all have to make the best choices we can in the moment with the information we have.

IDK, but if your post on FB was like your post here, it does seem like you are being a bit snarky. Heck, a person can drown in a cup of water. So, yes 2 inches of snow/ice can shut down a city. If we got that much here, we would most definitely be shut down. Not only do we not know how to drive in snow and ice, but we likely don't have any snow chains either.

The problem isn't snow. It is that some people seem to want to elevate being offended to a competitive sport! It is like they want to take everything, anything, and find a reason why you are offensive therefore they are a better person that you for having compassion for these people.

Considering their whole self worth is wrapped up in the process there is little point in trying to explain. Especially since their whole argument or perhaps rant, it not based on anything rational.

Really what happened down there has a lot to do with people these days do not understand critical analysis! common sense. Do you really need the government to tell you ice is slippery? Snow can freeze into ice?

I have friends in Atlanta they will tell you if they say an inch of snow you stay home. They cannot clear it, they don't even have equipment to clear it, just stay home. They would have never put their kids on a bus, they actually know they have the choice to keep their kids home. Then there are the stupid people you saw stuck on the highway. It is called darwinism.

Oh and to answer your question in a non dramatic manner, they don't have equipment to clear snow or ice. Imagine the idiots where you live with no snow clearing ability, you would just stay home, right?

I live in North Texas. We get ice and snow and it shuts the city down. First, it was only 2 inches of snow. People drove on it, it melted and then it froze. So the roads turned into a sheet of ice.Second, there is the issue that most people just aren't accustomed to driving in those conditions. We don't get it enough to practice on it. Thirdly, there is the issue that in this case, because the right calls weren't made, there was a mass exodus out of an EXTREMELY large city. Atlanta is sprawling. Think about everyone leaving a major city all at once driving at a snails pace and someone spins out....traffic will come to a stand still. There is also the issue of being prepared. Since these events don't happen in southern areas, things that are common practice for you, are not known to us. Before our last ice event, I made sure to fill my tank. Several people I know had no idea that a full gas tank was a good precaution. I had friends borrowing canned beans and other foods, because they didn't think to stock up on groceries. We just don't hear this kind of advice until after you are snowed/iced in. And don't forget the issue of sand/salt trucks. Southern areas don't have nearly as many as you do up north, in fact some areas don't have them at all...period.

We had an ice event in Texas that lasted five days and yes, people were stranded for 12+ hours on the road during that event too. It did get a little old hearing all my Northern friends poke fun and make comments, but I never took it as personally as your friends has taken it. Maybe she's had a bad day. Maybe the weather has adversely affected her family or friends. Maybe she thinks you are calling the people of Atlanta stupid. I don't know. If she is a good friend, I'd probably send her a note saying you didn't mean to offend and leave it at that. Either she will accept the apology or she won't.

Here in Texas 107 and 108 degree weather happens regularly. So it's hard for us to understand when people up North can't handle a heat wave. When people are moaning about 90 degrees and we would give anything for that, we have a hard time wrapping our heads around the idea. It's just a matter of different norms.

If it were me? I'd remove her rude posts from my feed. And if she'd tagged my, I'd remove the tags.

Of course you now know that 2 inches of snow that melts and then freezes into ice is a big deal to an area with zero snow or ice clearing or melting ability. No plows, no salt trucks, nada. Perhaps you could say, on your own post, that you understand the problem now and are praying for their safety.

The people going to the hospital in diabetic shock or who have died have NOTHING to do with your post/question. You never said you thought it was a joke, and those articles don't address why you were confused. She's honestly just being a self righteous biatch. I'd remove those posts and say nothing more about them.

I'm sorry your FB "friend" got mad. But here is an explanation of how a small amount of bad weather can affect certain cities. I will use Seattle as an example.

A couple of inches of snow will shut down Seattle as well. It's not like we're not used to snow (we are surrounded by mountains), but it's unusual in the city. We don't have enough snow equipment. We have lots of steep (really steep) hills. Because of our unique climate, there tends to be a layer of ice on the road under the inch or two of snow. The snow tends to be heavy. Lots of folks aren't used to driving in the snow/ice. And lots of folks don't have the right kind of tires.

For folks living in places with lots of equipment available, no hills, very cold temps (where layers don't melt and then freeze into an ice sheet), and with winterized vehicles, it's not as difficult to deal with the snow.

You should apologize. Yes.

I have family in the Atlanta area. And it was insane. The city officials failed them, not unlike the mayor of NO when Katrina was coming. The forecasters were off quite a bit about what to expect and what actually happened, but the cities didn't prepare.

They waited until the ice was already on the road (the snow fell, stuck, then melted and froze into ice, b/c the air temps were above freezing and melted the snow on the roadways and then dropped below freezing and turned it to inches of ice). The cities did not send out road crews (the little they have) to prep the roads, until AFTER the interstates were clogged with wrecked and abandoned cars, so they couldn't get through to do anything. The schools didn't let out until the roads were already iced. Same with businesses. So everyone (millions of people)were turned out to try to get home at the same time (traffic jam is what happens on a normal day, this was much worse b/c schools usually dismiss earlier than the afternoon traffic rush but they all were sent home at the same time). Then, even emergency vehicles couldn't get through b/c the roads were full of cars that were stuck, as they sat on the roads idling in the traffic with their exhausts melting snow into ice while they sat.

My family was fortunate enough to get home. Some people were not.
Were the people stupid and incapable? No. The officials failed them.

Just like all the buses left sitting in the school bus corrals in New Orleans were not used to get people out in advance of Katrina, that was not because the people were dumb. The officials failed to act in advance and just assumed they would be fine.
It was too little too late to do anything. Even now, that temps are rising and everything is melting, they are going to have a heck of a time clearing the roads of all the wrecks and abandoned cars.

It will be like cleanup after Sandy, to some extent. Yeah, we just hunker down and live our lives unless a hurricane hits cat 3, down here. We are prepared to deal with that. The city officials have the appropriate protocols in place and we follow them. The officials failed this time. Not the people.

And yes... the what you are used to thing is a factor, too. We don't get to "practice" these conditions. I wonder how you'd fare living with above 80% humidity on an all day every day basis, when the temps are in the 90s and above. We do it for months on end down here. No humidity is like a gift from God. We cannot understand how anyone up north owns a vehicle or home without central a/c... because the humidity level makes it unfathomable down here.
Have some compassion. And apologize for coming off like you did. I can promise that what you said didn't come off as just confusion and a question, but as a condemnation of the people. That's why your friend was offended.

she's way over-reacting to your admittedly insensitive comments.
when i lived in bermuda we were somewhat scornful of tourists who couldn't take the drenching humidity.
my utah relatives think anyone who can't handle feet of blowing snow on a regular basis are wimps.
i live on the east coast where the states and municipalities simply don't have the resources or knowledge to deal with tons of snow and ice. 2 inches of snow for a community with limited plows and salt, and full of people who aren't practiced driving in slippery conditions, is paralyzing. so don't be snotty.
yet she is truly a drama queen.
if you value her friendship, contact her with a simple apology, but don't be too invested in it.
khairete
S.

Yea, people scoff at us all of the time when the city gets shut down for a "bit of ice. "

But remember usually at this time of the year it can be 30 in the morning and 70 on your way home.. Sometimes even 80 degrees this time of year.

We do not have the snowplows, sure they sand down the streets, highways overpasses, but people do not realize how the ice can be so dangerous. And it it is constant ice falling it can still freeze over the first layer of sand, very quickly.

So we do get a bit put out when people make fun of us. But this week with almost 500 car wrecks in 2 days....

The people that are not used to our weather but decided they know how to drive in this weather, because they have driven in it all of their lives elsewhere.. Looked like yahoos on the news explaining they had no idea that they would not be able to control their vehicles, even though all we heard on the radio, TV online was, DO NOT DRIVE on the HIGHWAYS. and if you must drive, drive very slowly. Roll overs, cars sliding into each other sideways.

So pardon her for over reacting. Unless you live somewhere you have no idea what it is like. It is just not like up where you live and this is just a given.

I have a friend that lives in Minneapolis in a high rise building. The windows do not open.. When it was 80 degrees up there, she was suffering, because that building does not have air conditioning! Whaaat?'

I had no idea buildings would ever be built without air conditioning if the windows can not be opened. Sounds like terrible planning to me, but I get that if it is only hot every once in a while, why maintain such a thing?

Instead I told her to get a fan, wear a cool pack on her shoulders and drink as much water as possible. I did not scoff at their version of 80 degrees being like hell on earth, when we are in a drought with constant 100 degree weather at certain times of the year.

Don't worry about it, just apologize and let her know you had no idea. It is the truth.,., She is probably stressed and has cabin fever.

You apologize for being insensitive to people who were suffering. And you leave it at that. No more being defensive.

As to what you don't understand, let me turn it around a little for you. If you made one single comment last week about how it was cold in Kansas City, I just do NOT get it. I am completely baffled and cannot fathom it. I can only conclude that you are being a whiner. I mean, your low last week was higher than the high temperature here and I survived, so what is the problem? You live in North America, and it's not like you never get cold weather.

So - how does it feel to have someone be dismissive of something you are dealing with?

It is because they are not used to it and do not have the resources that northern states have for ice and snow. And a little bit of ice is a huge problem. I was in PA in an ice storm in the late 90s and trees came down and it was impossible to even walk from one place to another without falling. So while the authorities could have done differently, I think they were simply taken by surprise and hindsight is 20/20. It's similar to MD getting an earthquake. CA folks were laughing at us, but truth is, the ground is different so the shaking was different and we are not built (literally) for having an earthquake. We are not prepared for it. If <insert disaster or weather event here> doesn't happen to you, then it's way different than places where they are used to it.

For this person, if you value her friendship, then say you were sorry that you came off sounding insensitive. I would talk to her on the phone or in person, after everyone has cooled off. If you don't value the friendship, then leave her blocked and move on.

That person is over reacting. You stated your opinion. You didn't say anything about her personally.

You can quote an article on CNN.com to her:

"A mere few inches of snow had shut down Atlanta, forcing children to spend the night at schools, stranding drivers on interstates and making the city a laughingstock to the country."

Yep. CNN said Atlanta is a laughingstock to the country. There are thousands of people asking what you're asking "how did two inches of snow cause such problems?" Obviously they weren't prepared at all and were unused to such weather conditions.

I think your friend overreacted. I DON'T think you owe her an apology for asking an honest question.

Well - no traction means you go no where even if you're going slow.
Years ago I hit a spot on the road on an expressway that was smoother than glass.
I almost compare it to an air hockey table.
I was going less than 5 miles per hour - creepingly slow - if pedestrians were anywhere nearby they certainly could have walked faster (assuming they could stand up - it was like an ice skating rink).
And in spite of almost standing still my car still spun around 1 and a half times - in slow motion - while I'm swearing a blue streak to myself - till I slowly went gently off the road and backed down into 1 foot and a half of water in a ditch.
No damage to myself or the car - I was lucky.
It was the only time in my whole life I hitch hiked a ride home.
I certainly didn't think it was funny at the time - but now years later I kind of chuckle at the memory of it.

Hindsight is always 20/20.
Some accidents are just sheer stupidity even if the result is tragic.
I heard about a road rage case once where 2 people ended up doing spite passings of each other, goading and one upping each other, becoming increasingly hazardous until they both ran off the road at high speed and died.
Ok - yes it was horrible - but the sheer idiocy involved had me laughing about it being probably the absolute most stupidest way to die that I could ever think of.

People react to tragedy in different ways.
It's possible that 'overly dramatic' might be this other person's best way of handling it emotionally while laughing in the face of tragedy is the next person's best way of handling it.
Neither way is right or wrong.
Just let it go.

I think if I were you, I would reach out to her either via private message or phone call, and say something like "Suzy, I am sorry that I upset you; however, it was not meant as a personal attack. I truly feel bad for the people who suffered due to the storm; however, my comment about not understanding is directed out how such a relatively insignificant amount of snow can cripple an area. I feel that the officials that should be prepared to take the precautionary measures to warn and protect the citizens failed miserably and it resulted in dire consequences for some".

I would probably also put something similiar on my page.

I'm in south Texas, we were at around 30-32 degrees last Friday, with freezing rain, this shut our city down, we are not used to weather like that, people don't automatically know to change your driving habits, we don't have snow tires. it’s just simply "not a way of life"
the person on your FB is over reacting, I wouldn't apologize, she is reading something YOU put on YOUR page, YOUR page is YOUR opinion, if she doesn't like it, she can hit the un-friend button quicker than she can send you a response.
Oh and by Sunday we were back in the low 70s. Go figure.

Being in North Texas I understand how Atlanta got in trouble. When you get ice in lieu of snow (or the snow turns to ice) and that is not something you get every year it is easy for people to panic, not know what to do, etc. 2" of snow for you is not a big deal. For us - major deal. Especially since it turns to ice and makes the roads extremely dangerous. I would apologize to the person you offended.

I think she overreacted. However, at the same time, I do get a little aggravated when snow veterans transplanted here from the north or midwest ask these questions. Many do it with a condescending tone. So, while I wouldn't have gotten angry, I totally get she did.
We just don't have the infrastructure in place here for snow storms, even as small as they seem. It's a rare event. My city doesn't have a lot of snowplows, so it takes some time to clear the streets. If you live in the rural areas, you just have to wait for things to warm up or hopefully have a 4x4. And Raleigh doesn't have a metro or anything like that . Just buses. We don't drive in the snow daily, or even yearly. People are just not accustomed. No one has snow chains for their tires. It's just not our day-to-day.
Now. if you want to talk hurricanes, then we're good here. Way more in our domain. Northerners here many times have never encountered a full blown hurricane and get wide-eyed at the prospect. For us natives, as long as there's beer and a generator, we're pretty much ready to ride it out. :)

You see this from your point of view and how silly 2" of snow can shut down a city in the south because you are accustomed to the cold wintry weather.

I too am from TX, the Dallas area and it is rare for us to get a lot of snow. We do get ice and we had a long 5 day run with ice this season which was NOT fun. We don't own heavy winter jackets, gloves, boots, etc because it is normal for us to have 32 degrees in the morning and 70 in the afternoon. It was 11 degrees here yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon it was 50 and tomorrow we'll be back in the 70's with a 32 degree start to the day.

Look at it this way... You think we are silly because we "can't handle" or "can't manage" the cold weather. We manage it the best we can with what we've got. Turn the situation around... some people in your area complain and moan about the temps hitting a whopping 85-90 unbearable degrees and it is nothing for us to wake up at 6am with 90 degrees being our low for the day and we have hit temps well up to 110.

It's just a matter of where you live, how your climate is and how you adjust to your situation. Every area is different.

If it bothers you so much... just PM the lady (who sounds a bit bent out of shape) and say you are sorry for offending her. You might need to defriend her if she gets this worked up over comments that people put on their private FB page.

I live in Texas...the Southern part of the state. I can understand your confusion because you have always had public works that handle the winter weather you guys have every year.

Down here we see snow maybe once every lifetime or so...I have seen it snow once in my lifetime of 40+ years. It was like crazy 8-10 inches and closed San Antonio for days. I remember walking with my Dad to the grocery store because the roads were not safe to drive. People still attempted to drive on them causing all sorts of havoc.

We just had a winter weather day off from school...shut down the city because we had less than one inch of rain on a cold day making the roads icy. We close school for ice...because we have no equipment to make the roads safer.

A few years ago we had a severe ice storm for us...and the city debated buying equipment at the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to clear the roads for snow and ice. It was voted down because it happens so rarely.

If we had two inches of snow it would shut our city down...we have no way to salt or sand or whatever you do to make bridges and overpasses safe to drive. Literally we just can't handle that kind of weather.

Don't address the lady...she doesn't understand what you were asking.

So to answer your question...it is lack of equipment, lack of experience driving on icy/snow, and lack of personal knowledge of what to do when it happens.

You live in MO...if someone told you a hurricane was blowing in 180 miles south of where you live would you know how to prepare in less than 24 hours for it? We are less than three hours from the coast line of the Gulf of Mexico. We can be prepared and ready for a major hurricane event in six hours or less...and usually we have plenty of time to prepare. Could you? Could your city?

It is all about what you know and if you know how to prepare for it or not...big hugs...

I used to think the same thing and scoff at the southerners for freaking out over a tiny bit of snow. I was born and raised in Idaho, where we drove on snow half the year. I also lived in the mountains, where it was not unusual to have 5+ feet on the ground. I learned to drive in the middle of winter, and feel that I am very competent when driving on snowy/icy roads.

It was a HUGE eye opener moving down south. (First TX for about a year, but I've been in TN for about 3 years now.)

The thing is, that the ice on the roads here is different from the ice there. When it snows, that snow melts, re freezes, and gets compacted straight to sheets of ice. During is last storm, one of my friends front-ended the car behind her while she was stopped at a red light... She just started sliding backwards because it was on a slight hill. We had a 17 car pileup in town, and you can tell just by looking at the pictures that people were driving slowly but just couldn't maintain on the roads.

Plus, people down south aren't used to driving on ice, and have no clue how to do so. They don't know to use sandbags for weight, how to control a slide as best you can, how to get un-stuck, and usually don't have tires that will operate well on ice.

PLUS, the city doesn't have the equipment needed to clear the roads. Back home, the roads were plowed and sanded before the morning rush hour. Here, we didn't get any salt on the roads until a day and a half... And I haven't seen a single road that was plowed. I don't know if this city even HAS a plow.

Another consideration is that a lot of places don't have the equipment to heat up buildings when it gets so cold... Typically, the bigger task is to cool it off. Most schools here don't have a furnace that is up to the task. Heck, my college wound up buying space heaters for the early afternoon classes today (even though the morning classes were cancelled...) because it was STILL too cold in the building to expect the teachers and students to be productive.

So, I have learned from experience just how crazy the roads are, and why it is necessary to shut the town down. It sucked for my husband to lose a day's worth of pay, but better than him being out on those roads!

As for your friend... She just took it too seriously and needs to chill.

I live in Houston. It was a little over the top here but hey lets be serious if a Hurricane was hitting Chicago, I think people there would be freaking out!

My brother lives in Madison WI. He likes to poke fun when I complain about being cold. Generally its around 40 here and -40 in Madison. =) But then when it gets warm up there, yeah I laugh.

Its all in what you are used to. Your friend completely overreacted.

I was raised in the North (Westlake Oh) so I do find the reaction of southerners funny regarding weather. =)

People who have not lived in the south are somewhat like you. How on earth could that be?

Well when you life in an area that seldom gets cold, you don't think about the what ifs. Many times you don't even have a winter coat, gloves, hat, or boots because the temp does not drop below say 40. Snow is something that they read about in a book and not experience it by the season. The municipalities don't own snow plows if they do 3 or 4 because of the cost and they only get used every 8 years. There are no classes on how to drive and what to do if you do go into a skid.

So, 2 inches of snow in the south is like 4 feet of snow in the Midwest or northeast.

I lived in Quebec for 4 years and we definitely were prepared for the snow. It started snowing the end of September and quit the end of April. The temps were 0 to -30 or below depending on the wind chill factor. We had snow boots, ski suits (2 or more) per person, gloves/hats/scarves. We also made sure we always had a full tank of gas, chocolate, candles, winter blanket, flashlight and water in the car. Our homes were also full. The smallest container of flour or sugar was 20 pounds, baking soda/powder were in 32 ounce containers. In other words you were ready to be "snowed in" even in you weren't. You also learned how to drive in and on snow and ice so that you could go.

So don't beat yourself up about not understanding that the country is not all the same. Some people don't understand how anyone can live in 100 plus degree temps for the summer either. It is all in what and where you grow up.

the other S.

Try this. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-all-altanta-is-stuck-i...

Edited to add: I've heard from several people that people are getting very worked up about this topic, so maybe you should just let it go. I currently have a pile of snow in front of my house that's up to my roof so I was pretty confused about the Atlanta issue too.

Instead of taking offense at your comment she should have just explained it to you. You made an innocent query and you were met with hostility. I would just erase her comments.

People who aren't from places with certain weather conditions don't know what to do when it happens. And those who are from those places that get weather don't understand why places can't get it together. Heck, DC did the same thing Atlanta did a few years ago too.

I am from the Boston area, but have lived in MD for 14 years. They closed schools for all last week because we got 4-6 inches of snow. A whole week! The kids were home yesterday because we got 4 more inches, but this was powder snow so it cleared quickly and the other snow was mostly gone, it should have been a two hour delay. They had a two hour delay too...on top of being home yesterday. I get so frustrated that MD can't get it together.

MD also had an earthquake a couple of summers ago that rattled us, that's not TYPICAL weather for the east coast. My friends in the west were making so much fun, but I told them to take on a hurricane and then we'll talk.

I think it's better to just not judge other areas in general, especially when it's obvious that the people in charge keep making the wrong calls.

I had the same situation last year with all people, my next door neighbor. She was just dumbfounded why we didn't cancel schools with about and inch, maybe two inches of snow on the ground. She couldn't believe that the superintendent still had school going on becuase kids "could" get hurt going to school and it was much to dangerous for people to get out. Come on now, it's less than two inches and it was a wet snow with no ice under it. And we live 2 & 3 houses from the school that both our children attend. Also to be noted, she is from like Missouri originally, so it's not like snow is a foreign thing to her. I just basically told her that she's got choices when it comes to things like her kids going to school on days of incliment weather: keep them home if you feel it's unsafe for them and you to be out in it, pull them out of the public school system and put them in private - they can afford it, or homeschool your children. I also told her she chooses to live in this city with said politics so she can either respect the decisions that are made and quit bitching about it or move away. One of my friends, who was born and raised here even went as far as to tell her that he hears Mexico is nice this time of year. Yeah, I was quickly defriended, which is ok with me and she talks trash constantly about me about how I was "mean" to her.

Point to this is, social media is a place to say what's on your mind. Yes, you are going to piss some people off, but that's just the way that it goes. It's a blessing in disguise that ya'll are no longer friends. Let it be and be thankful that the negitivity is out of your life!

I grew up in Georgia close to Atlanta. The fact is that this area very rarely gets snow at all. When snow does come, pretty much everything shuts down. No one has snow tires on their car. There are no plows or any equipment to help maintain the infrastructure. People don't know how to drive in these weather conditions. Usually snows comes and clears up within a day or two max.

Sounds like a typical FB Clash of the Snarks.

It's not really hard to understand how places with different climates are effected differently by storms. I have lived in many places with 4 seasons, but I was not confused about this news. At all. Then again, one place I have lived was Los Angeles, where you could be stopped dead for 4 hours in traffic and see cars of the road if it: Rained. But let's say you really were just curious, it's been explained a million times so there should be no further question, and it could be perceived that you're pointing out that it's ridiculous, even if you're sincerely confused.

That said, she didn't need to get so personally offended at your disbelief and confusion and start accusing you of being amused when people die on their way to the hospital. That was a bit much.

So.

You guys are oil and water.

If you care about the person, you could disarm her by apologizing for seeming callous and explain you didn't mean any harm. Or you can keep your skeptical stance and let her be miffed.

Ahhh, Facebook.

I know you have plenty of answers already. Just saying I understand what you are saying. People up North make fun of me in MO because I hate driving in the snow & will not drive on ice (bad experience even though I was going very slow). I just find it interesting, though because our corporate office is in Atlanta and have been closed for two days, but I drove to work a few weeks ago after a deadly snowstorm (deemed that by the news) with no lines and inches of snow on every road & of course they had expected us to be here. Normally I would rather take a day so the plows can do their work, but had too much to do. Your question was out of curiosity, not to insult anyone. A simple explanation was all that was needed. She was being ignorant & don't fret over it. If you are "worried" about others opinion on Facebook, then just put a new post saying it's been explained & now you understand, even though you prayed for them before you are praying for them with better understanding now. Otherwise....it's Facebook breathe & don't let it bother you.

don't address anything. post something about yourself and your family, not questioning how the south can't handle 2 inches of snow. no equipment to deal with any kind of snow/icy conditions. my kids have been off for two days now because of this 2 inches of snow. it's the south, let it roll.

Ooh, this is a tough one. First of all, she is totally overreacting. You were not being malicious or awful, just questioning and baffled. I have wondered the same thing- seems odd to me that no one knew what to do. As I watched, I saw the 'snowplows' and couldn't believe how odd and inefficient they looked compared to what we have in CO. But of course, why would they have the same equipment we have here? Things like that- they just don't have the same knowledge and resources that a city used to cold weather would have. And then the stories of the diabetics stuck in cars, etc. So slowly, I get it, and the story comes together.

I guess I would say something like that to this lady. But I would not be cowering to her, just clarifying. Find one more story about the storm, and just reply "wow, just saw this story of people who...... can't believe it! but the more stories that come out, the more the picture is complete. it's just so different what cities not used to bad weather have to figure out. I hope they are able to learn some lessons for future emergency management planning. and I hope it warms up soon!"

This way you acknowledge that you are understanding the issue, but not apologizing because you did nothing wrong. That's how I would handle it. I can't stand being barked at and made to look bad by people- not cool. Let us know what you do!

They shut down because they only have like two plows and sanders. For the life of me with the forecast and warning they had, I cannot figure out why they opened schools and why parents sent kids. Where I live, outside of NYC, if it is threatening snow, schools close, which is insane. They know they do not have the equipment and manpower down south.Also because the folks of the south never had to drive in snow, they get I to trouble when they do have to. Everyone dropped the ball here. Hopefully next time, everyone will listen to the weatherman. Even the most experienced driver who drives in snow, when the ice hits, it all goes out the window. For the south 2 inches may as well be 24 in. They just are not used to it. Cut your friend some slack. Try to understand how it was for them.

The same thing would happen here if we had those conditions. We don't have equipment to handle ANY show on the coast of California. Our main highway is curvy and dangerous in the best of weather, can't imagine driving it covered in ice. A car just went over the cliff a few days ago on a bright beautiful day.

I don't see anything wrong with what you said, it doesn't seem offensive to me. You just asked a question and honestly Atlanta does get snow occasionally and this storm was not a surprise at all. Sounds like they should have been more prepared.

People love to get dramatic online. Facebook, Mamapedia and other sites are full of drama queens/kings. If you hadn't offended her with this post you likely would have eventually. I'd just let it go, good riddance.

I don't get it either. It's not even an ice storm.....

I had a friend who left OKC to go work for his family in the Houston area. While he was there it snowed or had ice I guess. He was going around a curve and slid, he hit a pole and died instantly.

He lived in Oklahoma years and years and years. Why wouldn't he know when there was ice or snow to not drive fast? I felt so confused for a long time. They had just had a baby and he was gone, his kids and wife came back to Oklahoma eventually.

I just don't get it either. The ambulance people surely know how to drive and can get people to the hospitals so that confuses me even more.

That woman is crazy to correlate weather with health! You were confused about the storm - not about anyone's health! I don't understand why she lumped weather and health in the same category. Of course you didn't want anyone to go to the hospital! You can message her and explain that, and see if she replys back to you favorably. If she does not reply back favorably, forget her! (Also, the problem wasn't the snow. It was the ice).

Well it looks like you received a lot of answers here and I'm guessing some will not be so good. Why is it that "you" have to get it anyway? Why can't it be
we just understand for other people. After all, the weather has been different for many of us. I use to live in Atlanta and they're are not use to snow, but it wasn't the snow. It iced the roads up quickly. There are billions of people who live there. What happened is….they didn't receive the proper notification of how bad the weather was going to be. Then, everyone left at the same time. It immediately congested the highways. I had a few friends who where caught in it. One on my good friends left work at 12:30 pm and made it home at 5:30 am. She was trying to reach her little girl at Pre-K but ended up being picked up at 8 by another mom. Her husband was traveling. She wrecked her car 2 miles from home and had to leave her car in a ditch. She started walking home and a nice stranger offered her a ride close to home. I was so worried about her. When I talked to her the next day she said she literally had to go into survival mode. So, I listened and understood and am very thankful she is okay. We can't live somewhere and judge something from far away.
I'm interested to see what all your responses are going to be.
And if I were you and leave it be.

It's just... some regions really are not equipped to handle ANY snow, and so when even "just two inches" falls and the roads are not treated ahead of time those two inches might as well be two feet. Those cities didn't remove snow or pretreat their roads, and drivers out there don't know how to drive in that weather. There as no staggering in the release of state employees or other employees in order to relieve the number of people on the highways.

The stupid thing is that the weathermen and the National Weather Service gave plenty of warning for the cities and state to prepare and yet the officials of those cities tried to blame the weathermen. The whole thing could have been avoided.

I live in CT, so we're used to anything from a coating, to a few inches, to feet to inches-thick ice storms. I hate it all but I'm used to it. :-)

I'm originally from New England and am now further south. The further south you go, the less snow handling equipment they have. They don't spend money on the snow equipment that they would use once or twice every 5 years. They don't have plows and salt trucks like they do up north. Where I come from, when they plow a highway, are are 4 huge plows on each side of the highway. Down here, you might have 1 guy with a plow on his pickup truck on each side of the highway. Up north they have huge salt trucks... Not here.
Up north, when it snows, it doesn't ice up like it does down here. The roads down here become skating rinks because the roads freeze faster... I dunno why, but they do. And, people in the snow belt have far more practice driving in the snow and ice. Here, we don't get that kind of weather very often and everyone hunkers down and stays home. We don't get practice driving in the snow. Up north we stay are willing to wait it out when it snows - if we are at the office, we wait until it lets up to head home.
It's the nature of the beast, I guess...