To think it can't be that hot?

[Hop27]

I live in the tropics, we have long periods of hot weather. It's winter with us and it's 24 degrees. I'm in bed at the moment with long PJ's on. (At home sick) and will probably spend the day in leggings and a hoodie. Browsing through mumsnet, thread upon thread about how it's too hot to eat, to sleep, people canceling plans because of the heat! Even in the height of our summer (mid to high 30's) I don't think I've ever not made dinner or cancelled plans. AIBU to think it can't be that hot, or have I been away from the British summer for too long?

It’s all relative. My mother back home was complaining of the cold one early morning in 23 degrees. To me, living here, that’s not cold at all. But I can understand that because she is in the tropics, she’s not used to it. Surely you can see that, OP.

If you think we have it bad, spare a thought for animals used to a cooler climate e.g. Penguins at the zoo. I can see they have sun shades up at Edinborough Zoo, but not sure about those further south. I hope they do too.

I saw a woman wearing a black jacket and black trousers quite happily walking along in full sun while I was perspiring in light and loose clothing. She was clearly acclimatised to a different climate to me.

I nearly didn't make an important trip due to the scaremongering. Luckily it's been fine and I'm on a train out of London now. Hopefully not leaving it burning behind me.

Smart woman. White clothing is cooler to a certain temperature then black becomes cooler. Ever driven through Jordan and seen the washing on the line? All black.

White clothing is cooler to a certain temperature then black becomes cooler.

How does that work? I thought black absorbed the heat more, rather than reflecting it out?

White clothes let the radiation through, black absorbs it. If you have loose fitting clothes the black will create convection between the layer of cloth and your skin. The warm air will raise, finding its way out to become replaced by cooler air, so in a way it's a natural air-conditioning.

Well she looked like she was wrapped up for autumn. It wasn't a winter coat but not exactly lightweight. Tight black trousers and a reasonably thick coat. I would've been hot in that whatever the colour!

We had a power cut yesterday, too. I wasn't here, but I got a text from UK Power Networks telling me about it. It was sorted by the time I got home at 10.

Because I'm sure it's not humid at all in the tropics?! 😆

To add the current humidity in London is 25%. Not sure why everyone keeps saying it's so humid here. Walking around in the evenings on holiday you can be wiping water from your skin and needing towels to dry outdoor seating before you sit down with humidity sometimes in the 80s or more

There's still people talking about taking young children to theme parks today or tomorrow. I see people hanging around in the hot sun, no shelter, just chatting. People talking about sunbathing. People talking about going out for the day to make the most of the "good" weather. People (more often men) standing outside pubs in the sun at lunchtime drinking heavily. Men with just shorts on, no tops, wandering around for hours in the direct sun - any sun cream they may have put on will have been washed off with their sweat in minutes,

Jesus fucking Christ

😂 so true. The humidity reading is right there on the chart next to the temperature. Don’t try telling me it’s “high”. It’s not.

This weather thing - it's so easy to make connections between peoples politics and how they think people should ' get a grip ' during this unprecedented and extremely dangerous heat wave.

By playing it down, and saying it's ' just summer' and that the country is hysterical, is the same as complaining that things are too ' woke', ' lefty' and that old favourite ' Politically Correct'. I'll also chuck accusing people of being ' snowflakes' in as well.

Since certain politicians arrived on the scene, it's like the country has chosen to ignore intelligence, expertise and fact , and decided that scientists and experts ' have an agenda' and can easily be refuted by a few grainy YouTube videos made by a 40 year old who still lives at home.

I've lost friends over this, people who have changed from being thoughtful , kind people into sneery, suspicious entitled fools

Last month I was on a work trip to France, when there was a heatwave around 38c. The event organisers planned extra breaks for water and cooling off. There were adverts telling people how to stay safe and the news discussed symptoms of heatstroke. The city council had put out big light up signs telling vulnerable people how to register for extra support during the heatwave. Some other cities banned all outdoors public events.

But clearly it's just British people being "snowflakes" and not that sudden high temperatures can be deadly.

I agree that the panic is completely OTT. I live in a red zone (Greater London). Yes, our homes are designed to retain heat no- I have insulated lift and wall cavity - and yes it's more humid here but outside heat and sun are the same temp as if we were in 'hotter' counties. I'm English and spent most of my life here but have experienced living short term in a few hot countries (India and Australia)

My family is carrying on as normal - me and my partner are in our 50s:

• we are both off work intentionally so I'm about to be sunbathing in his garden in central London for a couple of hours with cold water and a good book.
• partner has been tidying the garden since 8 but finished now. We will have a lovely Mediterranean style lunch under shade in the garden when he's finished. I do help!
• son is 17 in sixth form Y12. School (London grammar) have said they can wear t shirts and shorts (younger years can wear PE kitand all advised to wear hats until end of term)

Thursday lunchtime when they break up, school will be providing an optional to attend BBQ. Bottles of water are compulsory.

• daughter is 23 and working from home today and tomorrow. She has a fan near her desk and iced water on tap from her fridge. She's going out tonight for dinner on the Southbsnk if the Thames with her boyfriend.
• my parents are 75 and 80 and went food shopping at 730am, back by 9 and will stay indoors until this evening, they're fine. My dad will sit in the garden under shade, reading later this evening. Mum will stay inside reading/ doing crosswords etc. she will make a nice dinner without using the oven.
• I'm meeting two friends tomorrow for lunch in a place where we can sit outside. None of the three of us has mentioned the temp when we've been messaging to organise the meet.
• my dog has an air con unit in the lounge plus iced water and a cool mat. He's eating/pooing normally and went for a shady walk at 6am and had a dip in the stream. I'll take him again tonight if the temp drops enough. Will make sure the short trip from car to woods along pavement is cool enough for his pads by checking my own feet and hands.
• my sister, her husband and their two adult children are working from home comfortably. No one is complaining. Neice and her partner will see to their allotment late evening.
• none of my friends in 'red areas' are bothered in the slightest. It's not been mentioned.

We all go on holiday so know what the heat feels like!

After meeting my friends for lunch tomorrow I shall be sunbathing in my parents garden (I sadly don't have one anymore).

Although I worry about climate change and do what I can to help (I don't drive, not holidayed abroad for 4 yrs, recycle everything I can and avoid plastics as much as poss - solid shampoo etc) I'm glad that we have a couple of days to enjoy real summer.

I really don't understand People panicking about the weather.

My family is carrying on as normal

And yet you then go on to list things you've done to adapt to the heat. I mean it's sensible to do those things, but if I were in an environment where that wasn't possible, I'd be a bit concerned.

@timestheyarechanging

Humidity is 22%. On what planet is that “high”?

Anything over 35C is uncomfortable for most unless it’s a holiday spot.

The situation in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece etc is utterly dire. Must be dreadfully uncomfortable for even the most healthy.

Sending cool vibes to all.

You and your family are “carrying on as normal” by:

Taking time off work
Using an air conditioning unit and cooling mat
Changing routines ie going out early or late
Wearing cooler clothes
Staying indoors

What is the “panicking” you think you’re seeing? The official advice you are acting so dismissive of is to make changes to everyday routines which is literally what you are doing. Your post makes no sense whatsoever. And I don’t believe for a second no one you know is talking about the weather.

I don't actually know anybody who is panicking.

I put some water out for the birds because I knew it was going to be hot but I wasn't panicking whilst doing this. I just thought it would be kind.

timestheyarechanging I think most people are just carrying on as normal with similar or the same adaptions as yourself. I wouldn't want to sunbath too long in it though as on holiday I dip in the pool all the time to keep cool. Thanks for letting us know all about your life though which I've read eating my lunch.

Well there is lots of that which isn't 'carrying on as normal' Extremely disingenuous to suggest it is.

@timestheyarechanging Of course you’re not really bothered, you’ve stated you’re both at home and don’t actually sound like you’ve got much to do apart from sunbathe, read books and meet friends because you’ve arranged it that way. 🤣 It’s a bit different for people working outside, doing manual labour, chasing around after toddlers, being concerned for their newborn babies, having to go to work on the tube, being a teacher with no fans and no working blinds, policemen in uniform etc. Most of your family are also at home working or just at home. You’re set up with shade and fans, your dog has air con, yet you say ‘oh we’re just carry on as normal’ as if you’ve got it hard and no one else should complain. Lol.

I'm finding it fine despite being pretty damn hot. Just spent 15 mins walking round a building site in the blazing sun wearing safety trousers and a hard hat (site manager had a massive turban).

Niwninnmy non air conditioned truck which is 5° above outside temps. Sweat is beading on my face and back and my water's gone like warm but I'm pretty much OK.

timestheyarechanging I bet you were very smug writing your post thinking you were so intelligent 😂.

I'm starting to get a little uncomfortable now.