Talking about the weather.
Alberta is a beautiful land of craggy mountains, rolling foot hills, sweeping plains, peaceful forests, whatever muskeg is, tundra and Fort Mac. Such diversity would seem to naturally create a divide among those brave souls who choose the Western Way Of Life but no so, for all Albertans have one thing in common: the weather.
Do not approach an Albertan and idly comment about the weather, intending to pass the time. The weather in Alberta is not something to be taken lightly and such frivolous behaviour will likely get you shot or, worse, branded a hippie and shunned from the burn barrel 'round back of the Co-op.
If you want to impress an Albertan try saying something like: "It's not too bad out today, my eyelids barely stuck together at all on the way to the car."
If you want to make friends with an Albertan try: "My neighbour had mittens on to shovel his driveway last night and it was only -27. He's probably a Communist."
Conversely, in the summer if you are trying to avoid detection as an outsider you could try: "Sure it's 48 degrees in the shade and my rear view mirror just melted off but it's a dry heat."
I've noticed that Albertans are very proud of how dry it is here. How dry the air, fog, snow, cold, heat, rain and sunshine seem to be. I think it's an over reaction to how lovely and cool the sweet, soothing glorious rains of the Pacific Northwest keep the glorious coast of British Columbia so gloriously verdant. Or something. Overusing this adjective can get you into trouble, however, so save it for emergency chatting when you feel the locals may be onto you.
Good luck! Happy chatting and remember, it's a dry hypothermia.
