Postmen and postwomen are often seen wearing shorts, no matter how cold or rainy the weather. This has led many people to wonder why they don’t wear more weather-appropriate clothing.
A curious Reddit user recently asked, “Why do postmen wear shorts all year round?” They wanted to know if it was just a tradition or if there was a practical reason behind it. The question quickly went viral, attracting numerous responses.
It turns out, there’s a simple explanation. One postman shared that it’s all about staying comfortable. Walking all day makes you hot, and wearing trousers can be too uncomfortable. In fact, for one specific route, he tried wearing trousers but ended up with windburn due to the area being a wind tunnel. After that, he stuck with shorts most of the time.
Another user explained that their partner, also a postman, prefers shorts because they’re more practical when walking up to 30,000 steps a day. Jeans can be too restrictive, while shorts allow for easier movement and keep them from overheating. On rare occasions, he might wear joggers, but that’s not common.
One more person added that wearing shorts helps their legs “breathe.” Even in cooler weather, the constant walking can make them warm, and shorts help them cool down. Plus, when it rains, wet skin dries faster than soaked trousers, making shorts a more practical choice.
Interestingly, there’s also a fun element to this. One former postman shared that his depot had a competition to see who could last the longest wearing shorts in winter. Everyone would contribute to a fund, and the winner could donate it to a charity of their choice. The competition often lasted into the snowy months, with the pot being split if there was a tie.
In the end, postmen and postwomen wear shorts to avoid overheating during their daily rounds. Considering they walk around five and a half miles a day, it makes sense that comfort comes first.
