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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Adults who don't dress properly for winter

519 replies

Bearpawk · 06/12/2023 21:41

Driving me mad.
I work in an office where must people have a commute or a decent walk to get to work . I'd say about 90% can't dress themselves properly.
Young woman next to me ankle trainer socks. Midriff showing. Pissing and moaning about being cold. It's 1 degree outside and it's December.
It's raining and they come in wearing canvas shoes and a fluffy coat. No umbrella or waterproofs. Then expect to have the heating on full whack all day to dry their coats and shoes out.
In a training room all day where the lead trainer (middle aged, old enough to know better) insisted on having the heating cranked up all day because she's wearing a thin acrylic jumper and got cold to the bones on the way to work and can't warm up.
Everyone without exception has access to the weather forecast via their phones. It shouldn't be a shock when it's raining or cold. Yet they dress like it's May, all year round.
They earn decent money and aren't hard up so it's not a financial issue (maybe with some of the VERY junior/ young ones fair enough )

AIBU to fed up of people moaning about being cold or wet but making zero attempt to dress appropriately for the weather ?

OP posts:
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7
Bertiesmum3 · 07/12/2023 07:37

NorthernSpirit · 06/12/2023 21:52

Totally agree with you. This really pisses me off.

Man in town today (2 degrees) wearing shorts, t shirt and flip flops). Knobhead was a word that sprung to mind when I saw him.

I on the other hand was wearing a thermal vest, merino wool jumper, North Face jacket and Timberland knee high boots. I felt very snug & toasty.

He and many others may have thought you were a knobhead wearing what you had on!!
At least he wasn’t bragging about his labels!!

littlebopeepp234 · 07/12/2023 07:45

Bearpawk · 06/12/2023 22:01

It affects me because they're whinging all day about being cold which is annoying / tedious to listen to, and cranking the heating up to unbearable levels to try and thaw out.

Show quote history

Whilst I get what you are saying, I’m one of those who no matter how many layers I wear, anything that is not covered such as hands, nose, face still feel cold to the point it’s unbearable having to deal with a constant runny nose and hands so cold I can’t even hold a pen properly and so I need the heating turned up! What does irritate me and piss me off is you’ll always get one in the office who would rather be cool and moan at the slightest hint of the heater being turned up! I currently share an office with someone who is never cold and moans when the heating on! So I have to keep turning the heating down just to please her, when the rest of the people who work in other rooms in the building are all cold and have their fan heaters on at the side of their desk so I know I’m not the issue! I do not understand these people who just never seem to feel cold and say they’ve got a ‘sweat on’ at the slightest raise in temperature! So everyone else has to feel cold to appease them!

LakieLady · 07/12/2023 07:46

Bluevelvetsofa · 06/12/2023 22:20

I don’t understand shorts wearing in this country in the winter months. I don’t understand bare feet in sliders either. But if that’s what they want, none of my business. I would be annoyed if they were insisting of turning up the heating.

Our postman was still in shorts earlier this week, when we had a heavy frost and according to the temperature display in my car, it was -2.

He's not a daft youngster, either, he must be in his late 50s or thereabouts.

Made me feel cold just looking at him.

Goatymum · 07/12/2023 07:51

Not at work but i even meet friends sometimes who are not dressed appropriately- either too warm or cold for the weather!! Just look at forecast - it’s on your phone.
Used to have window opening/closing wars in one place I worked cos of menopausal staff, and I was always cold. But now I’m meno, but don’t get the flushes.

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 07:53

I agree, OP! If they are too cold they can add layers - if I’m too hot I can’t strip down to my underwear!

MrTruckle · 07/12/2023 07:54

CandyLeBonBon · 07/12/2023 00:05

Our CH thermostat is set to 17.5°C, which is toasty. I think depending years in the 70s in a freezing totc house with no CH or DG, ice on inside of windows, frosted breath etc. may have a lot to do with feeling warm at (relatively) lower temperatures now. I'd be in t-shirt and shorts at 22°, and positively sweltering at 25.

Some people feel the cold more than others. My bedroom was 19° today and I was frozen. I put on loads of layers and I was still cold.

Because I was working at a desk and not moving around.

I'm 54. I couldn't afford central heating until I was 30. I spent plenty of time with single glazed icy windows and frosted breath and frankly I think this sort of 'oh I'm just made of tougher stuff than you' rot is really unhelpful.

It's almost like, I don't know, human beings have a variety of experiences or something

Exactly. The person who said 17.5 is ‘toasty’ made me laugh.

Behindyouiam · 07/12/2023 07:59

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 07:53

I agree, OP! If they are too cold they can add layers - if I’m too hot I can’t strip down to my underwear!

But you could wear layers and remove some?

Sunshineandflipflops · 07/12/2023 08:00

I WFH and don't have the heating on during the day so wear layers and fingerless gloves to keep warm when needed. I am also perimenopausal though and don't feel the cold as badly as some, thankfully. I would die in my office - it's always so hot and I melt even in one layer.

If people were dressing inappropriately for the weather and wanting to turn the heating up I would be having a word and citing menopause as a reason for not turning it up excessively!

Chilicabbage · 07/12/2023 08:04

I grew up with "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing". Even as teenagers we wrapped up. Tbf it was on the continent and mornings were below 0, I even remember - 18 going to school/college.

Yeah some people here can't dress properly for the weather, which is their perogative as long as they don't moan. Common sense is that if you are cold, add clothes🤷

Mumofoneandone · 07/12/2023 08:05

Very annoying and frustrating. I've always dressed for the weather as get cold easily and can not stand it. Would frustrate me having to work in an overheated office though because others can't be bothered to dress properly!
My children also layer up for the cold weather! I dispair at other young relatives not!

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 08:08

@Behindyouiam If I’m dressed for the weather, I’m normally in layers so I CAN strip these off - but if everyone else in the office is dressed for 28 degrees, and I’m wearing a skirt and thin blouse and am too warm (because they’ve turned up the heating to 25 degrees), it makes it difficult for me to cool down…

Threewheeler1 · 07/12/2023 08:09

SisterMichaelsHabit · 06/12/2023 21:51

I wear an long sleeve top under a wooden jumper.
I really want this to not be a typo and for you to actually have a jumper made of oak or the mighty Scots pine.

Brilliant idea for when you get really cold - just burn it!

Behindyouiam · 07/12/2023 08:09

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 08:08

@Behindyouiam If I’m dressed for the weather, I’m normally in layers so I CAN strip these off - but if everyone else in the office is dressed for 28 degrees, and I’m wearing a skirt and thin blouse and am too warm (because they’ve turned up the heating to 25 degrees), it makes it difficult for me to cool down…

Oh well, whose needs are greater? If you're still hot with just a litre on then they must feel the cold more than you?

🤷‍♀️

Scottishskifun · 07/12/2023 08:13

Bearpawk · 06/12/2023 21:59

The office is very warm, too hot because they seem to dress for summer so need the heating cranked up to defrost and dry out when they get in.

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This would be my issue and my office is very warm. It means I end up dressing a bit lighter so long sleeve dress, tights and boots so I don't boil. But outside is freezing I compensate with a big jacket and blanket scarf!

When I wfh my office is set to 16 degrees which is perfect for me keeps me awake not too hot and I layer up.

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 08:14

@Behindyouiam Turning the heating up above 21 degrees in an office is crazy. Not to mention the effect on climate! My point is that those who get cold should dress for it, rather than rely on heating. I agree with the OP…

Topofthemountain · 07/12/2023 08:15

I didn't realise me not wearing a coat in my car was so controversial.

I have a coat, I just don't wear it for driving.

BiddyPop · 07/12/2023 08:21

Merino, cashmere, high end brands are all very well for those with money to buy them (new or 2nd hand).

But basic and thermal options can come from M&S, Lidl, Aldi, I suspect other supermarkets which do clothes, cheaper camping/outdoor stores etc. You don't need to spend a fortune to be appropriately dresse for the weather.

You can travel in layered up and wearing proper shoes/boots and change into an office pair on arrival.

Wear 2 plain tops rather than 1 if you don't have vests. Layering really does help.

BiddyPop · 07/12/2023 08:23

And a hat when outdoors!! You lose a lot of heat through your head

Behindyouiam · 07/12/2023 08:23

Anyotherdude · 07/12/2023 08:14

@Behindyouiam Turning the heating up above 21 degrees in an office is crazy. Not to mention the effect on climate! My point is that those who get cold should dress for it, rather than rely on heating. I agree with the OP…

Oh yeah that's the cause of climate change, for sure!

AnneButNotHathaway · 07/12/2023 08:24

YANBU but I wouldn't care. It's their choice, so I'm indifferent.

mrsmingleton · 07/12/2023 08:25

LakieLady · 07/12/2023 07:46

Our postman was still in shorts earlier this week, when we had a heavy frost and according to the temperature display in my car, it was -2.

He's not a daft youngster, either, he must be in his late 50s or thereabouts.

Made me feel cold just looking at him.

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Sounds like our Gary 😂

CurlewKate · 07/12/2023 08:27

Postmen always wear shorts. It's a point of pride.

MrTruckle · 07/12/2023 08:34

There is something quite pompous about this those who don’t feel the cold. Like it’s a badge of honour that that are sweating when it’s 19C and just have to open the windows. I can’t put my finger on it but it feels faintly braggy.

sashh · 07/12/2023 08:37

LakieLady · 07/12/2023 07:46

Our postman was still in shorts earlier this week, when we had a heavy frost and according to the temperature display in my car, it was -2.

He's not a daft youngster, either, he must be in his late 50s or thereabouts.

Made me feel cold just looking at him.

Show quote history

Not the same guy, I think mine is 220s/early 40s and is wearing shorts.

Actually had a chat with him this morning, apparently only his hands get cold, and they get colder in gloves.

5128gap · 07/12/2023 08:47

It doesn't matter what people wear, I guarantee there will be disputes about office temperature as people have different comfort levels based on age, body size, health etc, regardless of weather, and clothes dont resolve all the issues. I feel the cold, and warm layers don't stop my hands and feet from being freezing for example, when all the people with 6 jumpers on who run hot want the heating turned down. What tends to happen is that the majority (or the boss!) wins. So if you're on the wrong side of that, it's probably best to change your own clothes to fit the environment rather than spend the day getting all hot and bothered.