Postie hits back at claim they all wear shorts throughout the year
- A postie has refuted claims that those in the profession wear shorts all year
- They, in fact, suggested that ’90 per cent don’t wear shorts all year’
- It comes after posties claimed they always wear shorts ‘because it gets hot’
Published: 16:20, 6 December 2023 | Updated: 16:20, 6 December 2023
A postie has refuted claims that they all wear shorts throughout the year as December brings snow and sub-zero temperatures to the UK.
The postwoman told MailOnline that the vast majority of postmen and postwomen are not committed to the brave outfit choice when it comes to the winter months.
It comes after a ‘current postie’ claimed that those in the trade steer clear of trousers[2] ‘because it gets hot doing the job’.
However, it turns out that ‘I would say 90 per cent don’t wear shorts all year’ according to our postie.
The fashion choice has baffled many over the years with the perception being that shorts are as-good-as compulsory attire while doing the rounds.
A postie has refuted claims that those in the profession wear shorts all year round as December brings snow and sub-zero temperatures to the UK (stock photo)
They, in fact, suggested that ’90 per cent don’t wear shorts all year’
She added, after a shift in December there had been ‘only a couple in shorts today’ including ‘one old boy wears long Johns and shorts on top.
‘They say they get too hot!! Even in the winter, they say their legs get too hot,’ she added in amazement.
Asked for an estimate she said: ‘I would say 90 per cent don’t wear shorts all year.’
This is contrary to discourse on a Reddit thread by Brits over the last couple of years.
One user took to the platform to ask: ‘Postmen/women of the UK, why do you wear shorts all year round no matter the weather?’
On behalf of the nation’s mail deliverers, someone responded: ‘It really is just because it gets hot doing the job.
‘One round I cover I wear trousers just because of the wind (made the mistake once and had windburn all up my legs) but it’s that particular village happens to be the highest point of the town and is a massive wind tunnel.
‘All other rounds I’m in shorts pretty much all year.’
They were joined by another ‘ex-postie’ in defending the clothing selection, saying: ‘Walking around all day used to make me sweat my balls off.
‘If it was an extreme day I might throw on waterproofs over my shorts, something I can easily slip on and off as the need arose.’
Another said: ‘Skin is waterproof. Working all day is hot work.’
A different thread, posted six years ago, produced similar responses, with one Reddit user, who claimed their friend was a postal worker, saying he wore shorts because ‘they dry quickly’.
They added: ‘He says there is nothing worse than wet trousers all day in the winter.’
Back in 2013, MailOnline reported that Royal Mail had banned their workers from wearing shorts[3] during the winter months to prevent them from getting frostbite.
More than 200 postmen across Cheltenham, Gloucestershire were told they must wear trousers as part of their uniform when working in freezing temperatures.
However, the decree was not taken lying down and many raised their voices opposing the ban.
One worker at the depot, who asked not to be named, said angry staff members had planned to contact the Communication Workers’ Union about the ban.
He said: ‘We’re all disgusted about it.
I find wearing shorts much more comfortable as I feel more restricted in trousers and my legs do get warm.
‘There’s an agreement between Royal Mail and the union which stipulates the rules about uniforms and there’s nothing saying you can’t wear shorts.
‘I’m very annoyed – I can’t stand wearing trousers when I’m on the go all the time.’
References
- ^ Matthew Cox (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ postie’ claimed that those in the trade steer clear of trousers (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Royal Mail had banned their workers from wearing shorts (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Royal Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Reddit (www.dailymail.co.uk)