Polite responses when customers ask how you cope working in the heat

[swapsicles]

I work in retail and no air con, mainly due to the business I'm in and inside it's hotter than outside due to the structure.
Constantly I get asked how do you work in this heat?
The blindingly obvious reasons are to serve you, the customer who wants to shop in this heat and to pay the bills.
Is there a nice reply to this as it gets asked by almost every customer at the minute and it's wearing thin....
I do love my job honestly but I just get on with it in this heat because I have to.

It’s just polite chit chat, i’d just say oh it’s very difficult but needs must, and move on.

Doesn't your last line give you the answer ' I just get on with it in this heat because I have to' ? They are only sympathising with you.

The "blindingly obvious reasons" would answer why, not how. What a grumpy attitude when someone is showing a little empathy and friendliness.

Maybe just smile and say “yes it is rather warm today isn’t it!”

The question is just meant to acknowledge you as a human being and that it must be hard. You don’t have to answer fully, just respond with a connection of some kind.

They are asking how not why?

youre answering as if they asked ‘why’, not ‘how’

If the shop was freezing cold they’d ask about that.

it’s polite chit chat as others have said (although I have found out some good advice from conversations like this)

By dreaming of Christmas and swimming pools!

I keep ice cubes in my pockets!

Can’t you just say something bland? Like ‘oh you know, lots of water on my break/ oh yes it is hot isn’t it, have a nice day/ just looking forward to being out in it later/etc’

It’s quite easy when you understand how it’s intended. In France they’d just say “Courage” and smile sympathetically.

Try saying OH MY GOD, STOP BOTHERING ME WITH YOUR INANE CHATTER, I'M TOO HOT FOR THIS!!! and see how that goes down 😆. You work with the public, you have to expect to interact and it's not like they're being rude. Just smile and say, yes it's really hot, isn't it.

They aren’t asking you why. They are asking how…

Most people work to pay the bills. I don’t think people are asking you why you work. And most people who work with the public should expect small talk. It’s a part of the role.

People are just trying to be sympathetic. It's hard work and they are acknowledging that. Just smile and say yes today/this week has been difficult. And repeat.

Yeah, it's a bit warm isn't it.

Oh, I finish soon. Looking forward to an iced tea/cool beer/whatever.

I wish I was off, I'd be out in the garden sunbathing!

It's just polite talk and they are trying to empathise with you, to let you know they see and understand that your working conditions are a bit shit.

You could say 'at least I'm not shopping in it!'

Your “blindingly obvious answer” is completely incorrect. They are asking how yet you are answering why 🤦‍♀️

Don't think of their question in literal terms - just think of it as an expression of sympathy. You don't need to answer it, you just need to say something like "Yes, it's tiring isn't it."

I moved from one part of the UK to another, and in the part where I now live, a common greeting is "You alright?" I've struggled with this slightly, because my brain keeps telling me to say "Yes I am alright," which feels weird.

I keep reminding myself it is not literally the question it looks like, just a warm and friendly way of saying hello.

"Maybe I'll get an ice cream on my break if I'm lucky hahaha!"

Just be nice to people, tell them what they want to hear. They're only trying to be kind.

I know it’s your job and you don’t have a choice, but I’d take it like they are impressed that you are doing a good job despite the heat, or that they’re surprised it’s so hot in there and they are expecting to hear the aircon is broken or you’re installing fans soon or something. I can imagine I’d want to say something a bit sarky but I think they are actually just expressing surprise and admiration.
If customers are commenting then it must be uncomfortably hot, you say it’s retail but also due to the type of business so I assume you have some sort of machinery?

This

They don't actually care.
Its a form of weather small talk.
Just agree that its really hot.

Or you could reply that its lucky for them you are otherwise they wouldn't be able to shop. That'll teach 'em. 😁

“Oh it’s lovely to see a bit of sun isn’t it, makes the world a better place, much prefer it to rain” or something like that? Just deflect it