Snow is nothing new to Michigan. That being said, the complaints about snow, or Michigan weather in general, are the same every year.

“People forget how to drive once it snows!”

“Why doesn’t anyone make boots that are cute and warm?”

“I swear, it was like, 28 degrees this morning, I thought a light jacket would be fine!”

“No, really, is it too much to ask for boots with fleece-lined insides and traction on the bottom?”

All valid complaints. However, I think some people forget just how good Michiganders are when it comes to weather survival. For example, the minute it hits 28 degrees, look around and you will see guys in basketball shorts and girls in light jackets. We’ve been conditioned to believe that 28 degrees is basically warm, when it really, really isn’t.

Over the weekend we received a nice blanket of snow, and none of us blinked an eye. Just a quick shrug, and a little extra time for driving, because if there’s one thing we excel at, it’s traveling in extreme weather. Whether you’re more of a “take it slow” or “continue as if it doesn’t exist” driver, you still know how to drive, be it hell or high water.

No form of weather will keep a true Michiganders from their Super Bowl party, and a nice rousing round of bitching and complaining is a totally acceptable way to warm up once you arrive.

One word: layers. No one does it better than Michigan. Layers aren’t a fashion statement, they’re a mandatory part of any Michigan season. Michiganders have mastered the art of layering up, and still looking good doing it.

In the winter, beanies are both functional and fashionable (and a great way to cover up a skipped shower). Scarves are imperative — and the bigger, the better. Sweatshirts, thick knit cardigans and huge sweaters are all acceptable, and even more so if you throw a flannel shirt on underneath. We are a state where fashion and function mean the same thing.

Weather is actually worth talking about in Michigan. “So how about that weather?” starts a whole slurry of responses, and the inevitable debates show that Michigan weather is crazy enough to fill a whole conversation, even if it is mostly complaining.

Test it if you don’t believe me; mention this weekend’s snow dump in any sized group of people, and you’ll immediately divide them into two camps: “I love the snow!” and “No. Don’t even. Why do you like snow? It’s the worst.”

Nothing like a rousing debate about the weather to keep you properly distracted through a stats class.

Bundle up, MSU, and drive safe. Michigan weather is ridiculous, but nothing its inhabitants can’t deal with. Maybe pray for a snow day too, because I don’t think any of us want to walk through the snow.

And seriously, my toes are always cold. When is someone going to get on that boot issue?