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Original poster

How hard can it be to sit in a paddling pool all day in your pants with ice lollies?

39 replies

SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:12

As it turns out pretty difficult, because I have stuff to do. Who are all these people who have nowt to do?

I do accept that almost everything should carry on in whatever capacity it can. We can't just shut down for everything unusual. But it really irritates me all of the people who say I'll be fine with common sense mitigations.

I will be delivering 250 parcels today. (Well trying to) I have aircon in the van, but due to being short drop and (usually) delivering 30ish parcels an hour, the engine is never running long enough for it work. Prior to that I will be loading the van for approximately an hour and a half in direct sun, starting at about 9.30.

I wish I could get started now while cooler, but the parcels aren't at our depot yet. Obviously then with an 8 hour delivery route, I can't really delay everything to the evening. I think it's quite possible that I won't complete today, if I start feeling very unwell. And I have no qualms of coming home if needed, but I'm unsure as to how you know when you're in physical danger. I'm quite used to getting dizzy/nauseous/migraines on hot days, but I don't know if it will be obvious this time when I should stop.

Just getting a bit annoyed with all the people with no obligations to do anything really and no insight as to how our lives differ. Yes I assume that van drivers work in hot countries, but do they do the workloads we do? Can they work in the cool of the day? No idea.

OP posts:
Ttbhappy · 18/07/2022 07:16

Stay calm don't panic and try to do your job if you feel unwell go home. Different people have different lives and responsibilities but don't worry about other people having easier lives as it will make you bitter. Just do your best.

Roselilly36 · 18/07/2022 07:17

Tough job, I don’t think you get the credit you deserve quite honestly. I am disabled so I mostly order online for items to be delivered. I appreciate the delivery people. Good luck today, it will make your job even harder I am sure.

onlywhenidream · 18/07/2022 07:18

Well siesta in Spain is common so I think hotter countries do have different ways of working

And really it's a shame /crime your management didn't try to get delivery times rearranged till nighttime

Laughinggoat · 18/07/2022 07:20

No idea about the health side. Your day sounds bloody awful! I really feel for everyone that has to work outdoors today. I'm moving house tomorrow, still loads to do but at least I can shove my face in a fan every now and then

BeastOfBODMAS · 18/07/2022 07:22

Just do what you can and don’t worry about it. All these people you’re delivering to won’t hear the door if they’re out in their paddling pools or camped out at a premier inn, Shirley?

AntlerRose · 18/07/2022 07:24

Drink lots of water and if your workload allows take your break somewhere like a supermarket cafe where you might cool your core temp down. (Or just mooch for 10 mins looking at the meat section)

Its the same with houses. I am very lucky right now that i have a cool house, with few windows on the south and a garden with a paddling pool. I previously lived in an upstairs flat and it was so hot. Really hard to cool it down at night as well.

Original poster
SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:25

I do think that the lorries should have been sent through early with less on, and then a) we could have loaded in the cool and b) have less to do. Obviously will then have to catch up later in the week but that's fine.

But we've had no communication from the company at all. Like zero, I think they've all switched their phones off for about the last 5 days. So any delegations from couriers asking for consideration have just been ignored.

Oh apart from the woman who said she wouldn't be in because her kids school is shut, and she could't take the kids with her. She's just been told she's got to come in. I've got a nasty feeling she'll bring the kids!

OP posts:
Icedbannoffee · 18/07/2022 07:26

I do feel for you, I'm also going to be heading in for a day of hell. But this is a bit furlough like, if people can stay at home or do whatever because their work and circumstances allow for it then good for them.

Original poster
SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:33

Oh definitely, it is annoying that it broadly seems to be the same people though.
And I'm not even doing anything especially important

OP posts:
PeloAddict · 18/07/2022 07:37

I have ice lollies and cold lemonade cans and will be offering both to delivery drivers today

Original poster
SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:38

Praying that you live in Oxfordshire. Thanks

OP posts:
Promotionorno · 18/07/2022 07:41

I'm getting a bit fed up with the 'it's only 2 days brigade' and the 'sit in a pool/shady bit of garden' 'what a fuss about nothing' brigade too.

I am very lucky. Parts of my house stay relatively cool, part of my garden is very shady, I wfh and have agreed to finish early today. I can still understand these days will be hell for others.

DP is a delivery driver, in a van with no air-con and having to manually shift very heavy materials at up to 20 City locations, in his 60s.i am genuinely worried.

That poor poster last week who is in a flat with a toddler, asking for advice, only to have lots of people airily declaring they would be staying out of their garden when it's really hot, so no difference. Yeah, no.

I can't stop thinking about the poor sods still living in the council flats I raised my child in, with floor to ceiling wall to wall windows. Even with blinds it was like an oven every summer. They are really going to suffer.

forlornlorna1 · 18/07/2022 07:46

My dh is out in a van with no air conditioning all today and he's dreading it. He'd love to have started early but he couldn't.

I have a medical condition that's severely effected by the heat and I'm lucky I can stay home but also that my dd can stay with me (starts uni September) to look after me. Youngest dd is ASD and doesn't feel thirst like we do. Her carer will be making sure to get her to drink through the day. She's already very agitated and aggressive today.

Take care op. Loads of people saying it's just two days, it's like holiday heat and we are ok then, it's scaremongering blah blah blah. These are usually people who don't have to slog their guts out in it and don't have significant health problems lucky them.

Original poster
SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:52

Oh yes, the 'it's just like hols' crowd. Since when can most people afford to go to hot countries abroad??

Bets wishes to everyone else who has extra challenges too.

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 18/07/2022 07:53

The worst one along these lines I’ve seen is “It’s only the elderly, vulnerable and those who go swimming in unsafe places who’ll be affected anyway”. Ah so that’s fine then, fuck ’em. Confused

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 18/07/2022 08:35

Not particularly good for electrians, in fact a shocking idea! 😱

MiriMollyMartha · 18/07/2022 08:38

SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 07:12

As it turns out pretty difficult, because I have stuff to do. Who are all these people who have nowt to do?

I do accept that almost everything should carry on in whatever capacity it can. We can't just shut down for everything unusual. But it really irritates me all of the people who say I'll be fine with common sense mitigations.

I will be delivering 250 parcels today. (Well trying to) I have aircon in the van, but due to being short drop and (usually) delivering 30ish parcels an hour, the engine is never running long enough for it work. Prior to that I will be loading the van for approximately an hour and a half in direct sun, starting at about 9.30.

I wish I could get started now while cooler, but the parcels aren't at our depot yet. Obviously then with an 8 hour delivery route, I can't really delay everything to the evening. I think it's quite possible that I won't complete today, if I start feeling very unwell. And I have no qualms of coming home if needed, but I'm unsure as to how you know when you're in physical danger. I'm quite used to getting dizzy/nauseous/migraines on hot days, but I don't know if it will be obvious this time when I should stop.

Just getting a bit annoyed with all the people with no obligations to do anything really and no insight as to how our lives differ. Yes I assume that van drivers work in hot countries, but do they do the workloads we do? Can they work in the cool of the day? No idea.

I live in a really hot country and am finding the hysteria in the UK a little ridiculous to be honest. People do just as much work here as in the UK - in fact, work even harder in my experience. People believe air-conditioning causes illness so it's rarely on - only big malls and supermarkets will have AC, smaller shops, restaurants, even schools just use fans. Everyone is fine. It's not going to kill you being hot. Keep your skin and head covered - just wear loose, thin clothes and a hat - and carry an electric fan if you want one. Drink lots of cold drinks. Yeah you'll be a bit sweaty. Take a shower. It's really not a big deal.

MiriMollyMartha · 18/07/2022 08:40

I can't stop thinking about the poor sods still living in the council flats I raised my child in, with floor to ceiling wall to wall windows.

Everyone here lives in apartments and literally nobody has windows. We buy fans and keep curtains drawn. It's hotter here than the UK.

MiriMollyMartha · 18/07/2022 08:40

MiriMollyMartha · 18/07/2022 08:40

I can't stop thinking about the poor sods still living in the council flats I raised my child in, with floor to ceiling wall to wall windows.

Everyone here lives in apartments and literally nobody has windows. We buy fans and keep curtains drawn. It's hotter here than the UK.

Nobody has garden, thay should have read! Not nobody has windows. People have windows 😂

Original poster
SEmyarse · 18/07/2022 08:42

And I'm quite happy with that response. If someone in a hot country, doing hard physical labour tells me it'll be fine then I'm reassured.

What I can't stand are the ones in THIS country with absolutely nowt to do. Who tell me that I'll be fine because THEY can take all sorts of avoiding action (that I can't) and will be actively enjoying it because it's like a holiday, that are winding me up.

OP posts:
LemonsOnSaleAgain · 18/07/2022 08:46

It seems to be 'Bash the UK' day here on MN.

BeerPongChampion · 18/07/2022 08:51

I don’t know what’s wrong with people. It’s like a competition of who can be the toughest and say it’s not that bad, just get on with it and being horrible to anyone who says they’re dreading it or struggling.

I feel very fortunate to be at home today, not having to do much physical stuff. I’ve picked up some of the more elderly vulnerable dogs from a rescue I work at to keep cool at my house. Ive dropped one of the kids at school and will only have to pop out to pick her up later. I still have lots of sympathy for those having to be out and about working in this heat. Anyone that doesn’t is a bit of a cunt really.

Hope it’s manageable OP.

User539280 · 18/07/2022 08:51

Thank you, it will be someone like you who will be delivering my Next sale stuff which I see is on the way now, I ordered it a couple of weeks ago.

I'm not doing anything today apart from watching TV and eating crap as I am retired so I shall be listening out for my delivery.

MikeWozniaksMoustache · 18/07/2022 08:59

It's not going to kill you being hot.
Do you understand what a red warning is? This isn’t just a warning for the vulnerable, potentially fit and healthy people are at risk here. Living in a different country that is usually hot is completely different to living in a country set up for cold weather, going through a short but severe heat wave. I’m concerned grown adults, supposedly well educated ones can’t see the difference.

jessycake · 18/07/2022 09:06

I am relieved I can stay at home , I feel for everyone working in the heat, I could never cope well when it went past the mid 20s