I am so anxious for it to end.  Winter is my favorite time.  In fact, I would choose year-round winter if it meant odious summer would cease to exist. Beijingers, however, are more opposed to the cold than I am. Being unstylish is excusable in such supposedly savage weather and wearing a overstuffed, synthetic coat is seen as justified given the supposedly extreme cold. I was always under the impression that winter was a very stylish time. One can wear all sorts of different scarves, elegant cinched-waist wool coats, and dramatic boots.  Heat is more the enemy of style since it reduces the amount that can be worn. I suspect that wool coats are perceived as being a bit oldmanish – or they are too expensive.

Of course, it is usually the heavy hat plus coat combo that keeps me warm.  As has been noted by many observers, hats are barely worn at all here, even on the coldest days.  Chinese tradition places more importance on the legs and feet; the head is virtually irrelevant.

到处都是我最讨厌的羽绒服。我承认有的羽绒服不难看，但这样的特别少。大部分的北京人真的很怕冷。我自己不会欢迎12个月的冬天如果没有可怕的夏天。我以前一直觉得冬天应该是时尚的一个很好的机会。当然我这个人如果穿羽绒服会出一身的汗不管有多冷。可能我的身体对冷的反应真的不一样。