I don’t think it’s possible for me to express exactly how glad I am not to be suffering through yet another winter storm. When I left Montreal at the end of February, I was so sick of what had been the snowiest winter of my life that it was a huge relief even to encounter New York’s chilly but snow-free streets, not to mention the warm spring sunshine of Hong Kong.
I can’t say my angst was normal: for the most part, I don’t mind too much snow, and like many others I find a good snowstorm to be exhilerating and romantic. But this winter has been anything but ordinary. Montreal has been bombarded by no fewer than nine major storms and many people are feeling suffocated by the seemingly endless snow. In fact, there are even reports of “snow rage” in Montreal and Quebec City. The Globe and Mail reports:
In Montreal, a man pulled a toy gun in a dispute over a parking spot on a snow-clogged street. In Quebec City, a resident allegedly pulled out a real shotgun after a neighbour’s snow was blown onto his lawn.
This winter, some people appear to be reaching their psychological tipping point. Police and professionals describe it as snow rage.
“I’m seeing so much white that I’m seeing red,” said Luc Tremblay, a psychologist near Quebec City, where a weekend snowstorm helped smash the city’s record. “At some point, people feel overwhelmed, crushed. It’s playing on their morale and their nerves.”
Thanks to Kate McDonnell for the photo and heads up about the article
5 comments
Come on, people! Get a grip! This is Canada! This winter has been incredible! Not too cold and almost all the snow storms have been quite mild (yes a lot of quantity, but no terrible winds).
What is the real source of the snow rage? Cars. That’s it. It’s because people can’t drive normally. They should just put their cars away until spring and start walking and using public transit.
My god we are getting soft.
Je suis pas d’accord, l’effet psychologique de la quantité énorme de neige qu’on a reçu est non négligeable. J’ai rarement vu pire, peut etre a ton eu des hivers plus froids ou avec plus de vent, mais en terme de neige et de quantité d’ensoleillement, c’est la pire que j’ai jamais vue.
The thing that annoys me most about this town is how often I see unwalkable sidewalks. Lanes that are cleared, so that deliveries can be made, that leave a two foot high mound across the sidewalk that the elderly and people with strollers can’t cross. Or drivers that clear the snow around their car and pile it on the sidewalk forcing people to climb the mound. The sidewalk in the picture (Casgrain ave. by the Jean-Talon market) has been unwalkable since last Sunday. The snow comes from the parking lot and was deposited there by the snow removal contractor. This should be illegal… oh, it is.
Well, for my part I think is good to have a few snow storms here and there. What worries me is to see the mountains of snow on the sidewalks, and the double lines streets becoming a one line street. The traffic is horrendous downtown. I have seen (more than) a few road rage episodes because of this.
I agree with Jasmin – it is very, very hard for anyone with mobility issues. I was so glad to spend three weeks in Amsterdam – no tropical paradise by any means – but to be able to WALK without fear of falling (I have athritis in several joints from shoulder down).
It is also extremely isolating. Nobody wants to go anywhere and meet their friends.
I have never driven a car, and when there is no snow, I cycle everywhere (also does wonders for joints).
I live near that photo. Have already lived on Casgrain just north of the market, very close to Ste-Cécile church in the pic. Now I live a bit south of it.