Waterproof Swedes

Of course they are not really waterproof, but the way they brave the rain and cold looks to me like they are.  This morning was cloudy, the way it usually is for the last two weeks.  We were on our way to check out a possible location of our future business when ten minutes into our walk, it started to rain.

It started out as a light drizzle but got heavier by the minute.  Pete doesn't like to carry an umbrella and I am too lazy, so both of us had to walk in the pouring rain.  My hair that was washed and dried before I left home got drenched.  Luckily I was wearing a long coat that kept most of the rain off of my clothes.  And I was wearing my waterproof boots, so my feet are nice and dry and warm.  Except for the wet hair and the cold, I felt quite ok actually even when we had to walk for quite a bit, since we were a bit lost while looking for the location.

Looking around as I walked, which was quite difficult since the rain was getting into my eyes all the time, I could see that a lot of other people were also without umbrellas.  It was really very rare to see someone with a brolly even when it rained so heavily.  Even parents with babies in their prams didn't carry any.  The prams had a sort of waterproof cover and it was enough to keep them dry inside.

This is so different from back home.  With the slightest drizzle, or sunshine, out comes the umbrella.  In fact, umbrella sales are very brisk and there are so many types that are sold in many different designs, so much so that there are even stores or carts that sell only umbrellas.  Here, there aren't many places that sell them and even then, it's just the standard types with simple designs and colours.  But I guess waterproof jackets and coats are more popular. 

I also see teachers leading their pupils as they walk in the rain.  The kids, ranging from pre-schoolers to ten year olds, wear their raincoats and walk cheerfully with their friends and teachers.  Again, this is so different from back home where the kids are over-protected and excursions in the rain will never go down well with their parents.  I guess that's how the kids here grow up to be such tough adults.  Just like the waterproof Swedes.