(no subject)

[nominals.livejournal.com]

What does
Что это такой mean, exactly? Is it equavalent to "What do we have here" in English? In which instances do you use it?

Also, I'm going to Moscow on February 2nd! I'm so afraid because the only cold that I've experienced is probably a joke to most Russians. I've never been in weather where it's necessary for me to wear a hat, gloves, scarf, ect. How shall I dress there? 31 people have died because due to the recent cold wave! If possible, can you name specific cold weather clothing brands that keep you warm??

Thanks for your help!

Comments

[ex-fractaliz864.livejournal.com]

"Что это такое?" - "What's this?"

[oryx_and_crake]

It is either "Что это такоЕ?" (What is this?) or "Кто это такоЙ?" (Who is this, masculine)
This will do if you want to ask about an unknown thing or male person. For an unknown female you would ask "Кто это такая?"

[b0bb.livejournal.com]

"Что это ты такой?" = "Why are you like this?" [male]

[swiggett.livejournal.com]

I haven't lived in those types of temperatures myself, but some general rules of thumb, which you probably know:
1: layers. layers will keep you warm b/c they will trap the warmth your body produces close to you.
2: Wool/cotton. Wool is obviously warmer. Really, I guess this is more or less natural fabrics. Synthetics have come a long way, but natural fibers are still the best at keeping you warm. Wool sweaters!
3: Lined pants. My sister studied in Scotland for a semester, and bought a pair of flannel lined jeans. She may have gotten them at some place like Eddie Bauer, or Columbia, or maybe over there. If you can't find any, wear longjohns or thick tights under your pants.
4: Scarves. Personally, I love scarves, and tend to use them as hats as well. You'll probably need a warm hat as well though.
5: Mittens. Since mittens keep your fingers together, they provide more warmth.

From professors and other russians, I've heard that nothing will keep you warm like fur, and you will probably be able to buy some weather appropriate clothing over there [furlined boots stick out in my memory]

I hope I've helped a little, and haven't insulted you. I am very jealous of you though!

[nymphatacita.livejournal.com]

as far as cotton goes... watch wearing it at such cold temperatures. Synthetics will actually be better than cotton, if you can't get your hands on wool. If you sweat, the cotton will soak it up and not dry, thus making you cold.

[cheetr.livejournal.com]

Here is my advice on the type of material, not really the brand. First, layers are a must. Second, Cotton is nice while it's dry, but it absorbs sweat and other moisture and keeps it right next to your skin (which can aid heat loss). It also takes a long time to dry, which can be uncomfortable. I would avoid it for cold conditions. Shoot for Wool or Fleece. Wool insulates well when wet. Wool is sometimes scratchy and bulky (which is uncomfortable sometimes). I suppose that fleece is my recommendation. It's comfortable, cheap, lightweight and warm (even when wet). It also dries fast. Finally, Enjoy your trip with out freezing to death.

[-ram-jam-.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, "Columbia" produces perfect winter clothes. And I hope it will be march warmer here in February)))

[john-wood.livejournal.com]

The best gear: шуба, валенки, шапка-ушанка.

[tuda-i-obratno.livejournal.com]

Layers + wool/down + pants.

My 2 cents:
1. Take care about your fingers, cheeks, nose and ears. If you lose sensitivity just rub them.
2. Don't skip meal.

[nymphatacita.livejournal.com]

-24°? Is that °f or °c? There's a big difference until you get to -40°, where there's no difference at all.

That's not so terribly cold, though I'm sure it sounds like it. It's been hovering at -33°c/-27.5°f here for a week or three. That's not cold for this time of year here. This time last year, it was -49°c/-56°f.

Anyway... clothes. Capilene (http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC/Pgonia/search/esearch.jsp?N=0&OPTION=ESEARCH&special=both&Ntt=capilene) is wonderful. It keeps you warm and wicks away moisture so your sweat won't be keeping you cold. If your clothes get wet, you'll be warmer if you take them off.

Buy some good gloves or mittens, depending what you'll be doing outside. (I'd suggest having a pair of both, but if you're strapped for cash, that might be too expensive). If you're going to need to use your hands a lot, you'll get frustrated with mittens and want to take them off. Otherwise, mittens are warmer. Personally, I'd buy some heavy cross country skiing gloves from ebay. I managed to get a SWIX glove for free, and it's great.

You'll also want good socks. Not cotton... wool or something else made for cold temps that's thick enough to keep you warm. You'll also want some good boots. For short (less than fifteen minutes) trips outside, my sneakers are fine. When I'm out longer, I use my boots. I'm usually skiing then, anyway.

Other than that, you can likely get by with regular clothing so long as you're willing to layer. Right now, for example, I'm wearing three shirts. If I were outside, I'd have on six... I'd throw my good coat on over top if I were going to be out for any amount of time.

Also, you'd be surprised how much warmer you'll be if you tuck your shirts in. Don't tuck them all into the same pair of pants if you're wearing multiple layers, though. I find I'm warmer if I tuck in each layer separately.

My mom bought me a man-made down coat at land's end (landsend.com). I think she bought my boots there, too. All the clothing I've bought myself has been patagonia (http://www.patagonia.com/?src=pkw&src=pkw). I've never regretted a single purchase.

To decide what to buy, I'd use this (http://www.travelalaska.com/Climate/40.aspx) chart.

[nymphatacita.livejournal.com]

www.landsend.com. That other link won't work.

[nymphatacita.livejournal.com]

Something else to remember. If you're cold and you have to pee... go. Don't waste your body heat heating, well, waste.

[nymphatacita.livejournal.com]

It's me again.

These (http://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRODUCT&merchant_rn=7385&cgrfnbr=500475&sku=43502&ws=false&promo_cat=collections_1&promo_cat_id=500178) are my pants! I wore these by themselves outside for an hour (I was skiing, though, so motion was helping keep me warm) in -11°f, and was nice and toasty.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

The forecast for the February in Moscow is 0°C (32°F,) anyway :)

[nemica.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my opinion is that media is too hysterical about all this stuff with deadly cold.

[stephan-nn.livejournal.com]

And now in Нижний Новгород is about -27°C

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

Now it's February already in Nizhny? Strange :)) I was speaking of February, not of now.

i have two secrets

[filisida.livejournal.com]

1. Boots with very thick soles would keep your feet very warm. Anything else- socks or high boots with fur won't work if they have thin soles!
2. Also, I use some very thick night cream for the day+ very creamy foundation (or cream for wind and cold weather for babies).

At least this is what I usually do myself- and I was born in Moscow :-) Ah, and also a very warm hat. Knitted or with fur- but the one that would cover your ears.