Sometimes I think that Britain needs a revolution
Here in Britain, we are experiencing a heat wave – mild by the standards of many other countries around the world, but temperatures that are unusually high and consistently so for us. So, in London where I live and work, most days recently the temperature has been around 30C (86F).
Now I normally wear a jacket and tie – if not a suit – to my work meetings but, in current climatic circumstances, such dress is just too hot for travelling on the London Underground and walking around central London, so I have been wearing simply a shirt with rolled up sleeves and no jacket or tie.
This morning, however, I ran into problems when attending a gathering of Chairs of Customer Challenge Groups of water companies in the south of England (I chair the CCG for South East Water). We held in the meeting in the club of one of our number which is conveniently located in the heart of London: the Athenaeum.
On arrival at the entrance to the building, I found that my dress was unacceptable. Thanks to the temporary suspension of a club rule, my lack of jacket was overlooked. But I was not going to be allowed inside without a tie and had to be loaned one by a member of staff on reception.
What archaic balderdash, Sometimes I think this country needs a revolution.
Notice at entrance of the Athenaeum
July 15th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
No, not a revolution – airconditioning! Here in sub-tropcial Brisbane, the buses, trains and offices are airconditioned so as to keep those in business attire comfortable. So going to a meeting it is important to remember a jacket – to avoid freezing!
July 16th, 2013 at 8:58 am
Hi Nadine, We do have AC in London but only need to switch it on for a couple of weeks a year! (if we’re lucky!).
July 16th, 2013 at 9:56 am
But very few underground trains have air conditioning. Maybe that will have to change with global warming.