I have a friend who grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. She came out to California AS SOON AS SHE COULD.
She told me a story. One day, a freezing cold winter day, she was walking home from college. Her woolen scarf had come off of her right ear. She was only a block from home. She had a decision:
1. Stop, put all her books down in the snow and FIX her scarf; or
2. Just get home, no stopping, just get home.
She did number two. She got a serious ear infection, lost some of her hearing in her right ear and today STILL says "What???" if you talk at her right ear.
Of course, NOW she complains about other things...traffic, idiot drivers, no parking. Major duh.