Hi everyone

I just got back from Vienna, and last year I spent the week of Thanksgiving in Belgium (Brugges/Brussels). In addition to the wonderful Xmas markets, I was struck by how unfazed people seemed to be about the cold. Not that it was bitterly cold yet - but high 30s at night is cold.

It's possible I just don't get out enough, but, it seems that here in the US, in winter, when you find people outside they are doing something active. Whether it be ice skating or skiing, or simply walking from place to place, they are moving. I don't recall seeing a lot of outdoor socializing - by this I mean gathering around an outdoor venue to buy gluhwein, or wine, or beer, or what have you, and then standing or sitting outside with friends to imbibe and talk and not just for a few minutes. I saw a lot of this in Austria and not just Xmas markets. It seemed like an institution - a number of street corners and pedestrian areas had what appeared to be a bar of sorts set up and people were congregating and having a great time. It seemed as active as any regular bar scene. I even remember in London two years ago, dead of winter, seeing a number of people sitting at outdoor cafe tables (say, a coffee shop) and having their coffee outside with friends even though it was mid-30s tops.

I know there are Xmas markets in some cities (NYC for one) but is there something I'm missing about my home country? I thought it was delightful (not that you'd find me outside for hours standing around drinking, mind you) and I wondered if there are cities here in the US where it's more common.

a very interesting question

NYC has a bunch of Christmas markets - some indoor and some outdoor. And the outdoor ones are typically mobbed - unless the weather is really bad - as in sleeting, very heavy snow etc.

I don;t think 30's at night is very cold - we get many nights colder than that (some below zero with the windchill) and it doesn;t keep most people from being outdoors unless they have specific health problems. It may have something to do with the fact that in most places in the US the car - rather than feet - is the normal mode of transit. If you're not used to walking, shopping, doing errands on foot in the winter - I guess you think that 30's is cold. (I'm always amazed at people who reco others wear long underwear visiting NYC In the winter - it's cold - but not Siberia. And long underwear is way overkill.)

When you're used to doing all these things outdoors regularly I think you just get used to putting on the right kind of coat and accessories and go and do whatever - not wondering if you'll freeze to death in an hour of 30 degree temps.

Hi flygirl-

I saw the same thing in Italy in the winter- people out in the main square in Bologna drinking hot chocolate or wine, people walking and socializing. I was struck by the amazingly cute baby cold weather gear and how charming the overall scene was- stands selling nuts and fruit, beautiful lighting, lots of laughter and conversation.

I would love to see more of this winter scene in our towns in the US.

nytraveler - NYC was the only place I could think of that I knew already had something similar - but even then I don't recall independent kiosks set up serving libations - by this I mean not near a Xmas market, just freestanding on corners or in pedestrian areas like I saw in Brugges and Vienna.

I agree, 30s isn't THAT cold, but it's still cold. My different winter trips see me walking all over in the cold, but at least I'm moving and generating heat. You make a good point - if you are already walking/using public transport, you are a little more inured to the cold than us soft suburbanites in our cars. ar ar

And if I expected whistling winds, even in the 30s, yep, I'd be wearing silk underwear or pantyhose under my trousers. ar ar

BlueSwimmer - I agree! I'd love to see more of it, which is in part why I asked. It doesn't seem to be the same here -bigger cities, maybe, but the sense I get in Europe is that even the smaller towns do this as well.

This might be an interesting thing to research for a trip... Xmas markets in the US....

And long underwear is way overkill. Especially since it's *not* like you're standing outside for hours in the cold - once you're inside (even the subway), you'll way overheat!!

In reading the OP, other than here in NYC, the first thing that came to mind is the lodge areas at ski resorts. Not exactly what you were thinking, I'm sure!

However, IMO you'll not see "freestanding" kiosks selling libations because we have *very* different laws and regulations around the serving of alcohol. Of course every state and municipality is different, but generally speaking this is true. In NYC for example, there is a law against open containers. As for hot chocolate and similar beverages, again here in the city there are kiosks in places like Bryant Park, where there also is ice skating in the winter...