Latitudes and Attitudes

Jimmy Buffet’s famous 1977 song Margaritaville holds many truths.  Look at professional football teams – they talk tough until they show up at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  When a biting, below zero day is aggravated by a 20 mph wind you will naturally curse the surroundings.  I’m sure the recent playoff game there was full of cursing.

This week I write to you from snowy then sunny Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After a quick 5” of morning snow the skies cleared and overnight temperatures went below zero.  But while dining out, much to my surprise, salads were a popular menu choice.  The same held true in the grocery store – carts were full, not with canned chili, but with fresh offerings including ‘warm weather’ fruits and vegetables.  People at this latitude are just conditioned to carry on no matter the temperature or weather conditions.

The radio personalities were commenting that you just bundle up and deal with the cold.  I think it all boils down to your attitude on the situation that you are in.  If you are mentally prepared to deal with it, you will be fine.  If not, you will constantly be thinking about how miserable you are and will be wishing for a happier place.

In the case of most Minnesotans, they look forward to winter and all of the recreation that it brings. Then they look forward to summer and a whole new set of opportunities. The outsiders looking in think that sounds terrible.  The latitude difference causes that viewpoint difference.

The bright spot in all of this is that our industry thrives in all climates, especially as people become more active and engaged in whatever climate they are in.  A salad tastes just a good at 90 degrees as -10.  Having a Margarita with it doesn’t hurt either – be sure to get a wedge of lime with it!