So, I am a member of the "68 degrees is cold" crowd. At my work we are currently running the A/C. It's 50 degrees outside. It feels like it's 50 degrees inside.
The old infallible argument is in place, "If you're cold, put on more clothes, because I can't take mine off." As well as "Get a heater."
Wearing a ski jacket at my desk is not an option, unless I am trying to make a point.
What is a proper, professional response to these ice cubes?
Not an option everywhere, but I worked in a "cold" office for 5 years. My solution was to move desks with someone with a window that was also by a heating vent. I had the warmth from the sun most days plus the vent blowing on me. That said, I also dressed warmly because unless it's 80 degrees, I'm cold.
If you're not exaggerating about the outside temp, you may be in luck. The ac condensers may "freeze up" under those cool outside air temps and fail to continue to cool.
My wife is a member of your "68 is cold" crowd. I bought her a ceramic space heater to bring up the temp in her work area.
1. Make you point -- wear the jacket.
2. Get them to turn off the AC -- it is an unconscionable waste of energy unless the inside temperature rises above 74-76°F or so ...
3. As an alternative to #1 get a nice sweater, and maybe a thin windbreaker to cover it of you sit in a breeze.
4. Drink lots of hot liquids -- it is more efficient to diffuse heat out from a liquid inside your body than by diffusing inward it from contact with the air outside.
5. Wear a hat -- you an lose 10% of your body heat through the (highly vascularized) scalp. If you are behind a desk, wear some thick socks and/or legwarmers. Consider (fingerless) gloves.
My mom says her mom always used to tell her "I'm cold -- put on a sweater." :-)
My grandmother-in-law took a wool blanket and wore it through a church service three weeks ago! Funniest thing I ever saw and no one even batted an eye as far as I can tell. My wife wears pashmina's (aka: shawl or wrap) at the office. I would say a good wool blazer or sweater is proper office attire for the men! Keep it hung up in your cube... or on your chair. Turtlenecks might help too! You can always go for the dickey so you can take it off and leave it at the office!
68°? That's perfect weather. 60 degrees outside is just getting refreshing. For normal out and about I don't put on a light jacket until it gets to about 55 or less.
Is your desk situated under an air vent? It may be that the A/C is not running but the air movement from being situated close to an air vent actually blowing heated air is creating a microclimate near your desk. Get a thermometer and sit it on your desk to see the actual temperature in your area.
Layering clothing definitely keeps you warmer. Get yourself some modern, light weight thermal underwear and wear beneath your regular office attire. Wool socks also can make a difference as if your feet get cold, so does the rest of you!
If you really want to make a protest statement, you could always get one of those snuggle blankets with the sleeves in them to wear at your desk! And they are on sale now... Buy 1, Get 1 Free!
It's the 100th anniversary of the Scott/Amundsen race to the South Pole -- maybe see if you can get hold of one of those great fur-lined leather parkas and some knee-high muk-luks ... ;-)
One other thing to consider: If you frequently feel significantly colder than others, it can possibly be an indicator of an underlying health problem, ranging from simple iron-deficiency anemia to significant smoking behavior to a hormonal imbalance or problem with one of several glands. If any of those apply you might check out the situation further ...
No, I appreciate the serious replies. I am looking for more of a tongue in cheek response!
I'm always at a loss as what to say in response when they say "Just put on more clothes!" as if that is always such a handy, convenient thing to do.
One of my favorite Mad Magazine departments was Don Martin's "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions."
"Just put on more clothes!"
-If I put on another layer I won't be able to bend my elbows.
-I forgot my extra shirt at home -- can I borrow yours?
-If I put on another layer people will mistake me for a bag lady ... :-(
-You know, I just placed an order a minute ago, and then I heard that Eddie Bauer stock had shot up eight points!
One of my friends spent 6 mo working in Antarctica. He had what he called his "spacesuit" for when he had to go out and work in -40F weather. I bet if you showed up for work in that, they'd get the point.
When I lived in Southern California and the temps would drop into the 50F range, people would be walking around in their down parkas and pac boots looking like extras from an Eskimo movie. Here, that's T shirt weather.
Get a little heating pad, and put it on the back or your chair or sit on it. That would put a little heat right against your body, without having it heat the surrounding air. Minimum energy usage, and maximum comfort benefits. If you can keep your core temp up, circulation will keep the extremities warm.
A second option would be to move to south Florida, at least during the winter months.
