Aren’t you cold?

I played golf this weekend in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.

Temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s at tee time each day. While my friends were wearing sweatshirts and pants, I was not cold. I’m not immune to the cold weather, but it’s always seemed to effect me less than those around me.

The same thing applies to the heat. I’m also less likely to feel its impact than most.

Plus I was playing golf. Walking the course with a bag strapped to my back. It’s not exactly cardio, but there is a reason so many golfers ride in motorized carts and drive around the course when they play.

They are wimps. Also possibly older or injured and no longer able to walk the course like they once could.

But mostly wimps.

But carrying a bag on your back for 3-6 miles requires a certain degree of effort, which often warms me up.

In short, I felt great. Ready to play.

Then this happened:

Twice over the course of this weekend – TWICE – a stranger on the golf course asked me, “Aren’t you cold?”

I’ve heard this question ten thousand times. Given that I tend to dress down for the cold weather, I hear it often. Last winter I wore nothing but a hoodie and a hat for most of the season and felt great. But I heard, “Aren’t you cold?” constantly.

If it’s a friend or loved one asking the question, I understand a little. It’s an expression of concern.

But a stranger? Why is it so important for a stranger to ascertain my level of climactic comfort?

Are they prepared to offer me a jacket if I say yes?

Does my lack of layers present some sort of affront to their parental or societal sensibilities?

Do they fear that my ability to withstand temperatures that force them to don sweatshirts and pants will make them look weak?

Enough with this question, I say.

Enough.

If you’re the type of person who sees a stranger dressed in what you consider to be not enough clothing for the current temperature and asks, “Aren’t you cold?” I politely request that you  STOP IT.

Stop it now.

It’s weird and intrusive.

In both cases, I told the strangers that no, I wasn’t cold. In fact, I felt fantastic.

What I should’ve said was, “No, I’m not cold at all. In fact, aren’t you a little warm?”

I’ll save that response for next time.

Sadly, there will most certainly be a next time.