Columnist Alun Newman: Weather is the social glue that holds us together
One of my favourite things about being British is the social oil of weather chat.
It has, at the time of writing, finally stopped raining and brought welcome some blue sky.
Who knows how long it will last?
The news has been filled with weather stories that include the famous line, ‘since records began.’ For weather, that takes you back to the late 1800s.
However, there’s always a cautionary data note, if it’s specific, those records usually started later.
For example, Cornwall has had the wettest start to the year since ‘their’ records began. The collection of localised data started in the early 1900s. Like many people, when I hear data and numbers being thrown around, I can’t help but ask who, how and when it was all collected? It’s a data-related addiction that I can’t seem to turn off.
All the numbers aside, the weather provides wonderfully rich social oil for conversation.
I hopped on the bike the minute the blue sky appeared and made the most of it.
Pulling up outside a supermarket, I grabbed a coffee and a pastry and sat in the sun reading my latest book (Tom Gilbey's Thirsty). I was given it as a birthday present and it's all about wine - don’t read it if you’ve given up booze for Lent.
The conditions were perfect for reading and people-watching.
I lost count of the number of people who walked passed and randomly said 'hello' via the medium of the weather: ‘Making the most of the sun?’ ‘What’s that ball of yellow in the sky?’ ‘It’s nice to see so many people out.’ ‘You might get a tan at this rate.’
The comments flowed.
It did seem as if we’d all been released from a minimum-security prison and were finally allowed out into the yard.
Do other countries have the same social glue as the weather, or is it just us Brits? Is it a unique element of our culture?
Kate Fox, the author who has ‘studied the English’, says that the weather offers us a social code that eases social insecurities.
What about elsewhere around the globe? Apparently, the most common topic for Italians is far more likely to be food. For the French it’s similar, with politics added. In America they prefer to ask more direct questions about your job or your business.
Over in Singapore they have passionate views on property. Back in Scandinavia they’re more likely to enquire about your friluftsliv (open-air life). Trust the Scandis to have nailed it.
I like, if not love, these differences in culture. I think it’s fascinating to see that we’re all the same and yet very different.
For me, we have it spot on. Wherever you are in the country, we know the rules. ‘Beautiful today, isn’t it? I hope it lasts.’ ‘Do you think this is our summer?’