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| Spikes are not typically needed when walking to work, but may be helpful for hikes or walks in the woods. |
In many pre-departure U.S. culture training programs, we would take time to talk about the weather patterns in different parts of the U.S. and the kinds of weather one may expect in the parts of the U.S. they’d visit during different times of the year. Though it snows in India, it did not snow in Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Bangalore, so therefore knowing how to walk in snow or on ice was always an interesting discussion. Interestingly, in an English class I recently taught in Salt Lake City, newbies to the U.S. mentioned that in addition to learning how to walk on ice, they thought the sound of walking on snow and ice was also something new to them. (The video to the side demonstrates the different sounds of walking on the ground in the winter.)
Let’s look at a few tips that can keep you safe while walking on slippery and/or icy pavement while visiting the U.S. or any cold climate in the winter:
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| It's not always easy to tell if it's just wet or icy. Be careful! |
2. Walk with a different stride. We have to change our center of gravity and walk kind of like a penguin. So, walk slower. Some of the videos below will help you get an idea of how to do this.
3. Do not run. Do not carry heavy bags or purses on one side of the body. Do not carry large packages while walking over ice. (Though sometimes this can’t be avoided, learn to do it safely.)
4. Be careful to walk on ‘black pavement’ thinking it’s dry. Sometimes it’s wet or the sun has melted the snow or ice then later when the sun disappears the cold temperatures freeze it, creating black ice or grey ice. Sometimes it’s not always easy to see where the ice is as in the picture to the right of a city sidewalk.
If in doubt while walking on a sidewalk, try to walk on the snow on the sides of the sidewalk.
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| Salt is sprinkled to melt ice, but it can freeze again later. |
6. Buy spikes or tracks to put on the bottom of your shoes if you know you need to walk on icy parking lots or you may go hiking. Do not wear these spikes or tracks while driving your car or walking in buildings, as they will ruin the floors. The picture at the beginning of this article is of me wearing microspikes on the Wind Cave Hiking Trail. These spikes can help you traverse over rocky and muddy terrain a little easier, too.
7. Some people may also prefer to wear a pair of shoes with more tread on it to walk [into] work, but then change their shoes once they get inside the building. Note that if you're not used to wearing winter boots or thicker soled shoes, this may take time for your feet to get used to. You may also need to walk a little differently. Be patient and it will come with time.
8. Take extra time to get to where you need to go if you the sidewalks and roads look bad.
For more tips and demonstrations, watch the videos below.
This last video is a video I made almost 10 years ago to explain the American idiom 'black ice.'
(Mossy Cave/Turret Arch Trail)
While a fall on ice can be painful for anyone, take care if you have elderly family or parents visit from abroad when it is icy and snowy. Getting used to wearing different kinds of footwear can take time, so please slow down and take care.
Please stay safe out there. And, always remember if the walkways are icy, the roads probably are too. Make sure your car is ready for the winter weather, too.
If you are looking for some online or virtual training options for your offshore teams to learn more about American culture, please contact us.
Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only. Any application of the advice and its outcomes are the sole responsibility of the reader not the writer of the blog.
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Average weather in different parts of the USA
Kerala is the Florida of India
Use local weather reports to improve listening comprehension
