As the UK endures chilly winter weather, most Brits bundle up in warm clothing. However, Royal Mail postal workers are a notable exception, often seen delivering mail in shorts even in snow and freezing temperatures.
Curious Brits took to Reddit to ask why posties wear shorts in winter. The answer, according to postal workers themselves, is practical: the job involves extensive walking, which generates significant body heat. One postman explained, 'It really is just because it gets hot doing the job.' Another added that wearing trousers on a windy round caused windburn, but on most rounds, shorts are worn year-round.
The Reddit thread revealed that avoiding perspiration is a common concern, with one postie simply stating he 'hates sweating'. In extreme conditions, some workers wear waterproof trousers, though one retorted that 'skin is waterproof'. A former Royal Mail employee also disclosed an informal competition among posties: each week, everyone contributes £1 to a pot, and the person who lasts the longest in shorts before switching to trousers wins, donating the proceeds to a charity of their choice.
