So...cold...

MSeel1984
MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
in Chit-Chat
So I'm visiting a center today...I usually work at one center 4 days a week and then go do coverage somewhere else when I work.

I'm sharing an office with another person...she has the AC on full blast and I am FREEZING TO DEATH!

What is a tactful way to get her to turn the air down. It's not really my office...she has seniority...but I can hardly feel my fingers as I type.

Replies

  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Seriously...now my nose is running...and I can't find tissues. Finally she left the room so i could turn it down.
  • wattsj56
    wattsj56 Posts: 94
    can you bring a jacket?
  • renstwin
    renstwin Posts: 66 Member
    I've worked with people like that before. I always have a sweater/jacket handy.
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    Ask that person if they are from Alaska or something make it light...then ask do you mind if we warm it up a little...good luck
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    Is she 40-50ish? If so she may be having hotflashes. When I do, I feel like I can't even breath and cold air keeps me alive. :)
  • trishgrace
    trishgrace Posts: 279 Member
    Trust me, as I used to be very hot natured, here is my suggestion. Wear a jacket. Someone who is hot can only take off so much, but someone who is cold can always put on a jacket. I used to be extremely hot natured and would sweat buckets unless the air was on 69-72. However now that I am 55 lbs down and my blood pressure is now running low I get cold. I remember what it was like to be sweating and stinky because someone changed the thermostat to 80. Wear a jacket saves the hassle.
  • 3LittleMonkeyMom
    3LittleMonkeyMom Posts: 259
    Bring a jacket! Remember, there are only so many clothes one can take off in an office environment! :laugh:


    ETA: I used to be the one to freeze my officemate out. She was so great though...always brought a jacket so I wouldn't die of nasty stinky sweat! LOL
  • Reinventing_Me
    Reinventing_Me Posts: 1,053 Member
    Bring a sweater or a wrap. I have a friend who actually wears fingerless gloves in her office.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Well next time I'm here I will wear a sweatshirt or something...but for now I've got nothing but a lab coat and it is not warm at all...paper thin...and I can hardly type at this point. My right hand is like ice. i have to keep sitting on it.
  • Magenta15
    Magenta15 Posts: 850 Member
    chilly and putting on a sweater is one thing, but so cold your toes, fingers and nose is freezing is not a productive work environment either, you can't expect someone to need a scarf and mitts too llol... I would just politely ask if she could turn it down a degree or two, or lower the fan at the very least. if she gets too warm she can always turn it back up. but there is no need for a room to be freezing. just comfortable. :)
  • CharliB1
    CharliB1 Posts: 7 Member
    Ask that person if they are from Alaska or something make it light...then ask do you mind if we warm it up a little...good luck

    Ha ha, yes, making light of the issue is a good start. If that should fail, you might have to resolve to dressing in layers.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    Well next time I'm here I will wear a sweatshirt or something...but for now I've got nothing but a lab coat and it is not warm at all...paper thin...and I can hardly type at this point. My right hand is like ice. i have to keep sitting on it.

    So say something to her?
    If you're not comfortable bring it up to her...

    "Hey, I am freezing, can we maybe turn the AC up for a bit"

    Quit making things so difficult...
  • cyndispot
    cyndispot Posts: 135
    Just ask her kindly to turn it down. Let her know the effect it's having on you without being snooty.
  • slyder432
    slyder432 Posts: 475 Member
    Y not just tell her that it is COLD and uncomfortable?
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    chilly and putting on a sweater is one thing, but so cold your toes, fingers and nose is freezing is not a productive work environment either, you can't expect someone to need a scarf and mitts too llol... I would just politely ask if she could turn it down a degree or two, or lower the fan at the very least. if she gets too warm she can always turn it back up. but there is no need for a room to be freezing. just comfortable. :)

    That's exactly the point. I understand a little cool air, but I'm on the opposite side of the room and the place is turning into an ice box. She also is not in this room half of the day or more. She's here in sporadic (15-30 minute) bits of time and then she's gone. While she's not in here, the cold air is going off. Left the fan but Geeminy Christmas...
  • fIuffy2fit
    fIuffy2fit Posts: 19 Member
    bring a jacket
    the bright side is that ( i dont know if its true or not) you burn more calories in cold environment because your body shivers and need to produce energy (calories ) to warm your body up. so you are burning extra calories at work.
    lol or its just a myth
  • holeshottdr
    holeshottdr Posts: 364 Member
    Start a campfire in the middle of the room, she will get the hint.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Bring a sweater or a jacket, like other people said. I sit under two air conditioning vents at my workplace and often have a fleece jacket and a shawl on. Until I'm in bed at night, I feel like I'm never warm...
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    LoL...would be nice if it were true. I am not sure when she's even coming back in.
  • bricktowngal
    bricktowngal Posts: 206
    Just tell her, please lower the air conditioning I'm freezing and can barely work! she doesn't do it, get up and lower it yourself.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Well next time I'm here I will wear a sweatshirt or something...but for now I've got nothing but a lab coat and it is not warm at all...paper thin...and I can hardly type at this point. My right hand is like ice. i have to keep sitting on it.

    So say something to her?
    If you're not comfortable bring it up to her...

    "Hey, I am freezing, can we maybe turn the AC up for a bit"

    Quit making things so difficult...

    So the few times I've done this (asked if I could turn the air down), I was in a room of middle aged women who all laughed at me and I do quote when I say they replied "You're in the minority...sorry. We're all roasting in here. Bring a coat next time."

    This individual is a middle aged woman so hot flashes are not unlikely...she may need it to be this cold, but while she's not in the room, I see no need why I have to be cold.
  • EmmaM2211
    EmmaM2211 Posts: 536 Member
    I totally feel your pain!!!

    I work in a big open plan office and in summer when its nice outside the air con gets turned right down!! I sit right under one of the vents and have a constant cold breeze down my left arm! Its torture!!!

    We all complain about it but the thermostat is controlled by the managers who are in and out of the office so obviously when they come in from outside they want it nice and cool....I live in my fleece at work (which luckily they provide!!)
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    Well next time I'm here I will wear a sweatshirt or something...but for now I've got nothing but a lab coat and it is not warm at all...paper thin...and I can hardly type at this point. My right hand is like ice. i have to keep sitting on it.

    So say something to her?
    If you're not comfortable bring it up to her...

    "Hey, I am freezing, can we maybe turn the AC up for a bit"

    Quit making things so difficult...

    So the few times I've done this (asked if I could turn the air down), I was in a room of middle aged women who all laughed at me and I do quote when I say they replied "You're in the minority...sorry. We're all roasting in here. Bring a coat next time."

    This individual is a middle aged woman so hot flashes are not unlikely...she may need it to be this cold, but while she's not in the room, I see no need why I have to be cold.

    Well then I guess deal with it. If you can't even ask, then you will never know..
  • maria1113
    maria1113 Posts: 508 Member
    Haha, I'm actually sitting in office with my jacket on right now cause the AC is on too cool :laugh:
    I'm not gonna complain since I'm changing office room next week :wink: But if I would be staying in this room for longer, I would say something.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    It sounds like in your mobile work environment this is not a highly uncommon situation. I would keep a black, white, or grey cartigan in my car for situations like this, and just leave it there.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Definitely going to do that from now on.

    I did speak with her politely and she turned it off. She just thought it was a bit stuffy.

    Thanks all.
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
    i feel your pain,
    I find that i'm always cold in the office,
    i keep 2 jumpers here, i often have to layer, or wrap one around my legs.
    i would try asking politely, the worst that can happen is she will say no and you're just as cold as you are.

    if that happens, try doing some excersise to warm yourself up.
    jumping jacks, running on the spot, pushups.
    go for a stroll and make a cup of tea/ coffee (offer to make your office mate one, it might warm her up too)

    just try to get the blood moving

    good luck
  • sabolfitwife
    sabolfitwife Posts: 423 Member
    I always keep a sweater on the back of my chair, and I have a little space heater under my desk. As it's not your office though, I would definitely just start keeping a sweater handy in your vehicle for instances like that. I don't like confrontation, I always wait for my coworkers to leave the room and then I turn the a/c off completely! :-)
  • chocolateandpb
    chocolateandpb Posts: 438 Member
    As a skinny freeze baby in a sea of menopausal women, I keep a blanket, extra scarf and fingerless gloves at my desk year round. It's the only way I can be semi-comfortable and still perform my job duties.

Categories