Voice of Real Australia: What is with all the weather talk?

TALK about the weather.

Here in Australia, we don't just talk about it, we're obsessed with it.

It's the ultimate backstop for awkward silences, a palate cleanser for adversaries and an opener for even the most hopeless conversationalists.

I used to be normal. Growing up in Newcastle, where the weather is warm and temperate and the winters short and cool, weather chat took a backseat to the daily surf check - save for the rare days the mercury dropped below 11 degrees.

Desperate to connect with strangers we'd bring up the 2007 June Floods. I was 13 and the most exciting thing that happened was an early mark from school. But chuck me in the elevator with a stranger and I couldn't help myself, "Oi, remember the Pasha Bulker?"

Fast forward a decade and I moved to regional NSW. I didn't know a soul. I parleyed myself into friendships strong-armed with Armidale's sub-zero frosts, when I wasn't telling everyone how bloody freezing it was through the chatter of my teeth I started saying "It's a bit nippy isn't it?" for the first time in my life.

A good weather whinge goes down a treat in the lucky country. People loved me. I hated the cold but I was becoming one of them.

Then I moved to Tamworth. I knew nothing about country music but I knew summers were blisteringly hot.

I quickly discovered I was in the epicentre of weather chat. The Weather Chat Capital of Australia. One of the Seven Great Wonders of Weather Chat.

These people were not only outstanding in their field but often found out, standing in their field, talking about the weather.

Rain dominated the conversation for months. The lack thereof, praying for it, "All we need is a decent bit of rain," I found myself telling strangers over a latte. I downloaded a weather app.

I was officially countrified.

This week it's snowing and it's all we're gabbing about. It's a great opportunity to catch-up, weather permitting.

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