‘WE’RE really having weather!’
I always laugh when our British friends make this quaint statement, as they often do.
After all, aren’t we ALWAYS having weather?
But we know what they mean: they’re really having bad weather.
The fascination of the Brits for talking about the weather probably has to do with the fact that their terrible climate makes them so obsessed with rain, wind and snow.
It’s probably a good way to start a conversation, especially among strangers – an ‘ice breaker’, as it were.
In a country where you would be very lucky to enjoy 80 days of (mild) sunshine a year, it is an obvious topic of conversation; and it does not run the risk of being labelled politically incorrect.
Over the past few days, Zululanders have also had the topic of weather on our minds, with Eloise on the horizon and some rare coastal phenomenon posing flood threats.
But even in non-critical weather times, we always take an interest in what the weather is going to do.
I believe there are reasons for this.
Weather is one of the few items of information we receive that actually allows or forces us to take action or make decisions.
We’ve gone from information deficiency to information glut, but most of what we see, hear and read nowadays, is inert.
Most of our inputs – and most especially when it comes to online platforms and social media – have little relevance to our lives.
It gives us something to talk, complain or argue about, but does not call for action.
Very seldom after reading something online or watching TV or listening to radio, do we need to change our plans for the day.
We have, in effect, been entertained, enlightened, amused or frightened – all this without the right of reply, other than imposing our own views on others who might or might not want to hear them.
And with all the fragmented bits of information we receive, we form opinions (actually emotional responses and beliefs), which we mistake for being enlightened and well informed.
But when it comes to the weather, we are participants – not mere spectators or passive listeners or opinion givers.
It calls for action and reaction.
We must decide what to wear, whether to drive, which route to take, what precautions in the case of bad weather, and what advantage to take in the event of a bright, sunny day.
As for weather reporters, it’s been cynically said they’re liars who don’t go into politics.
And in spite of what they tell us, the weather will happen as it wishes.
Best is simply to open your window and see for yourself.
As Bob Dylan said: ‘You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.’
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