WHY NEWFOUNDLANDERS ARE SO DAMN NICE

or How To Recalibrate in St John's

I discovered their secret.

I discovered their secret and I’m going to expose it.

It’s been terrible weather.

It’s been terrible weather and that’s perfect.

I hope it never changes.
Well, at least not until I leave.

We’ve been enjoying St. John’s, Newfoundland for the past few days for a short business trip. Shannon and I have never been before so we’ve been soaking up (pun intended) the sights and culture… and weather while we’re here.

You know how they say that Newfoundlanders are some of the, if not the, friendliest people you’ll come across?

It’s true.

But I noticed something interesting.

Even new Newfoundlanders are nice.

How a new immigrant from India, say, can navigate the rapid fire consonant deficient Newfoundlander dialect is a wonder to behold.

But they do.

So what gives?

It’s the weather.
It’s the terrible… sometimes beautiful… mostly terrible weather.

Those jerks among us who selfishly take take take from the world, don’t last a minute here.

The focus on themselves while waiting for the world to impress them.

The world, at least this part of it, offers you not much more than a brief glimpse of a stunning view before it pulls the curtains of fog closed.

The weather here offers no safe haven for jerks, ne’erdowells, or general bad ‘uns.

You know what’s worse than being stuck in the pouring rain?
Being stuck in the pouring rain with a jerk.
So there are very few jerks here.

The weather here makes it quite plain… life is going to be only as good as you make it, so what have you brought to the table?

Newfoundland reminds you that life is a dance between you and nature.

Somedays nature offers up her beauty and leads.
Other days you need to lead the dance.
Either way… you’re dancing.

Newfoundlanders know…
you can’t change the weather but you don’t need to to have a good time.

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(Pictured: Author poses in outtake from merch photos on Cape Spear, NL while worrying that his wife will accidentally let go of his coat and it will be blown into the North Atlantic)