New Englanders say that too! We also respond to others concerned about our wellbeing in the rain: “I’m not made of sugar,” though we have an answer that Germans don’t say: “but you are pretty sweet.”
I’m an American immigrant married to a German, and it definitely took us a bit to adjust to each other’s feedback styles- he thought every dish he made was my new absolute favorite, and I thought he disliked my cooking at first, because I’d say something was delicious and he’d say it was fine, lol.
But I’ll take it, because this way Germans think I’m quick witted when I respond with that.
I’d be curious if I could find enough clothes to be able to withstand these temperatures for half an hour. The coldest I’ve ever experienced was −20°C some 15 years ago.
There are research stations in Antarctica where it has like -60°C or lower on a typical day. There's an interesting post on stackexchange referencing the US Antarctica programme on about what clothing for these conditions should look like.
That’s not that cold? Almost any winter gear you buy in Canada will be rated for atleast -30c. It gets that temperature normally without windchill regularly.
In fact, it was just -20c without windchill the last 2 days here.
Long sleeves and long underwear/leggings, two pairs of socks, flannel-lined jeans if you have them, sweatpants and jeans on top if not, flannel or similar overshirt, scarf(!), sweater/sweatshirt, winter coat (or 2 additional sweaters/sweatshirts and a raincoat or other large windbreaker), boots, gloves, mittens, and hat.
You won’t die, especially if you move around. I’ve had to take the coat off while shoveling in those temperatures, though my feet and hands were unhappy after a while. Definitely have a cup of hot liquid when you get back inside though.
It isn't the amount but the quality of the clothes. My wife and I were skiing yesterday at -8°f without issue. So that's temp plus actual wind chill and windspeed while riding.
When you experience it for 6 months every year, you actually get used it and it’s not that cold. It’s entirely livable. People from fair weather states are funny.
Of course when you live in +30c for 12 months even -10c will feel unbearable. Where that’s t-shirt weather for other people.
You also won’t get frostbite when your skin covered, wear a mask, jacket, pants, I used to work in it for 8 hours a day. You make it seem like it’ll kill you lmfao.