I work in an office that is filled mostly with women. Actually, if I look around I can see 8 women and I'm the only dude around. I think it's a common thought that women tend to be colder in the work place (temperature-wise, not emotionally... that's a whole different entry.) I am definitely experiencing this first hand in my work environment. There is a noticeable temperature increase when I walk from the hallway into my section of the office. It's warmer and stickier for sure. I'm not the type of person to immediately react to a change of temperature. I'm actually really irritated when someone walks into and room and immediately says, "Ugh, it's so hot in here!" or "oh my gosh it's so cold!" Of course you are going to notice a temp. change when going from indoors to out, or vice versa. I usually try my hardest to sit for a minute and let my body adjust to the new temp. before making any comments, but sometimes it's too much to handle.I'm actually perspiring as I write this blog entry. We have a nice little hotline to call here at my office to adjust the temperature (because heaven forbid we would actually be able to control this ourselves!) but something tells me I am not the only one making requests. I have literally called every other day since the start of last week. I notice a change in temperature almost immediately after I submit my request, but the next day it's back to Muggyville, USA.
I did a little searching about this man v. woman temperature difference, and actually found an article on CNN.com with some support research. Here's a little excerpt from the full article:
- Diet: People who do not get enough vitamins, minerals, protein, vegetables and other essential nutrients for a healthy metabolism could find themselves feeling tired and cold because their metabolism is not getting the nutrients it needs to work efficiently, Donadio says.
- Gender: Women are more prone to hypothyroidism than men are, according to Donadio. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid works too little and causes the patient to feel cold. Women's body temperatures are also prone to irregularity due to their menstrual cycles and menopause, and women generally have less dense muscle mass than men do, which lowers their average body temperature.
- Age: According to Donadio, as people age, their hormonal systems may begin to function differently. When they do not produce as many hormones as they once did, they may find themselves feeling colder. Likewise, hormonal surges associated with menopause can cause hot flashes.
- Stress: Being too tense or uptight in the office could reduce your circulation, making you feel colder, Donadio says.
The article isn't saying anything that isn't common knowledge but hopefully it sheds a little light on the situation. In my opinion, I think that if you're cold in an office then you should bring a sweater or jacket or parka, depending on your level of comfort. Unfortunately, when I am hot, I'm not able to remove any more clothing, as that is not appropriate for the workplace, but you are more than welcome to layer up until your heart's content... think of Joey on Friends. Lunges optional.In conclusion, everyone deserves to be comfortable in the workplace, but we must all make sure not to discomfort others in the process; myself included. While you're thinking about your own office temperature situation, please view this true-to-life clip from The Family Guy and have a little chortle at your desk.