New Yorkers take snow personally

I see that the Northeast of America is getting some more wintry weather. The latest forecast has upgraded the coming storm, but it won't, apparently, be anything like the storm that dumped a couple of feet of snow just after Christmas.

I happened to arrive the day after that storm. As my flight landed at Newark Airport the plows were still clearing some of the 20" or so that fell the day before. It was a complete contrast to what we'd seen in Ireland before Christmas where snow-showers of an inch or two closed the airport for long stretches.

I don't want to be too critical of the Irish airport and roads authorities. They're simply not used to snow and there was an awful lot by normal standards (basically zero).

Still, despite the fact I knew the roads would be fine, it was impressive to see the massive snowbanks along the NJ Turnpike and other roads I traveled that day. The roads were completely dry and black. In Ireland it seemed like each half an inch of snow would still be there plaguing drivers days after it fell.

Still, it wasn't all plain sailing in the area and New York City in particular was still a mess when I arrived there 5 days later. People were annoyed. Actually, they were angry.

Kind of made me laugh because, as my wife said, people were taking the snow personally. It was as if the snow's presence was a personal affront. I know there were streets in the outer boroughs that were still unplowed days later, but that wasn't the case in the Manhattan neighborhood where I staying.

These people were mad, at the snow, but at the city too. They were mad because there were huge piles of snow along the parked cars and sidewalks. Just made me laugh because, well, what did they expect the city to do? It takes a long time for a 3½ft snow-bank to melt when the temperature is hovering around freezing.

All I could think about is how the people of Dublin would have loved those problems during our snowy weeks. Some of our roads were almost impassable days after 4 inches of snow fell and the walking on the sidewalks was literally like walking on a skating rink.

Yet, despite some understandable frustration, very few here got anywhere near as upset as what I heard in New York. People just weren't experienced enough to realize they should take it personally and be angry at the snow.