<story><title>Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?</title><text>I was helping my son learn to write and realized I’ve been holding the pencil wrong when I write. When I changed my grip to match how my son was learning, it was more comfortable. What have you learned that is different and better than something you’ve always done?</text></story><parent_chain><item><author>blahedo</author><text>I&amp;#x27;ve known this one for years and years but it always surprises a few of my students (who come from warmer climates) when I mention it:&lt;p&gt;The scarf goes on the &lt;i&gt;inside&lt;/i&gt; of the coat.&lt;p&gt;If you put the scarf on the outside, like you think you&amp;#x27;ve seen in TV and movies, it&amp;#x27;s just decoration.  Put it on the inside and it&amp;#x27;s an insulation layer and it blocks the cold air from blowing down your front.  Absolutely game-changing.  (Also, have a good coat, but that one seems more obvious to people.)</text></item><item><author>mtlynch</author><text>Staying warm.&lt;p&gt;In the winter, I used to stay warm by turning up the thermostat. Then I discovered (via HN) the Low-Tech Magazine article, &amp;quot;Insulation: first the body, then the home.&amp;quot; [0] The article argued that it&amp;#x27;s much more efficient to focus on heating yourself rather than your whole living space.&lt;p&gt;I invested in high-quality wool clothes that I wear in layers and warm slippers. Now, I keep my home about 5 degrees F cooler than I used to for the same comfort, and it&amp;#x27;s a big reduction in oil and wood consumption for home heat.&lt;p&gt;[0] &lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.lowtechmagazine.com&amp;#x2F;2011&amp;#x2F;02&amp;#x2F;body-insulation-thermal-underwear.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.lowtechmagazine.com&amp;#x2F;2011&amp;#x2F;02&amp;#x2F;body-insulation-ther...&lt;/a&gt;</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>dghughes</author><text>As a Canadian my tips are:&lt;p&gt;At my local college there are a lot of people from the Bahamas. They often wear hoodies and sandals with socks in the winter! It can get to -20C here and hoodies just won&amp;#x27;t cut it and sandals with socks could very quickly mean frost bite.&lt;p&gt;Yes scarfs are great since necks are a prime spot to loose heat during winter. A scarf or even a hood both together are even better. Long coats too none of these waits level ones get a coat at least past your waist preferably past your butt.&lt;p&gt;Layers are important more for temperature control. Even a hoodies and some sweaters can be warm if you have enough and one outside with wind protection.&lt;p&gt;Boots not sneakers to keep warm and the grip. So many people wear sneakers all winter now it blows me away. They&amp;#x27;re slippery, cold, and they probably cost more than winter boots these days.</text></comment>
<story><title>Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?</title><text>I was helping my son learn to write and realized I’ve been holding the pencil wrong when I write. When I changed my grip to match how my son was learning, it was more comfortable. What have you learned that is different and better than something you’ve always done?</text></story><parent_chain><item><author>blahedo</author><text>I&amp;#x27;ve known this one for years and years but it always surprises a few of my students (who come from warmer climates) when I mention it:&lt;p&gt;The scarf goes on the &lt;i&gt;inside&lt;/i&gt; of the coat.&lt;p&gt;If you put the scarf on the outside, like you think you&amp;#x27;ve seen in TV and movies, it&amp;#x27;s just decoration.  Put it on the inside and it&amp;#x27;s an insulation layer and it blocks the cold air from blowing down your front.  Absolutely game-changing.  (Also, have a good coat, but that one seems more obvious to people.)</text></item><item><author>mtlynch</author><text>Staying warm.&lt;p&gt;In the winter, I used to stay warm by turning up the thermostat. Then I discovered (via HN) the Low-Tech Magazine article, &amp;quot;Insulation: first the body, then the home.&amp;quot; [0] The article argued that it&amp;#x27;s much more efficient to focus on heating yourself rather than your whole living space.&lt;p&gt;I invested in high-quality wool clothes that I wear in layers and warm slippers. Now, I keep my home about 5 degrees F cooler than I used to for the same comfort, and it&amp;#x27;s a big reduction in oil and wood consumption for home heat.&lt;p&gt;[0] &lt;a href=&quot;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.lowtechmagazine.com&amp;#x2F;2011&amp;#x2F;02&amp;#x2F;body-insulation-thermal-underwear.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https:&amp;#x2F;&amp;#x2F;www.lowtechmagazine.com&amp;#x2F;2011&amp;#x2F;02&amp;#x2F;body-insulation-ther...&lt;/a&gt;</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>phyzome</author><text>That makes sense, sort of like a gasket. But for biking, I wear it on the outside so I can keep it over my mouth, allowing me to retain some warmth in my breath.</text></comment>