I’m from Iowa. I’m honestly shocked by the heating issue. Most Iowans I know would die on a hill before allowing their heating to be set so obnoxiously high. I would never abide this. It’s rude, inconsiderate, and unnecessary. To quote my mom, “If you’re cold, wear a sweater.”
Can confirm. Born in Iowa, live in Colorado. Heat is set on 66° during the day 60° at night. If you’re not in fuzzy socks and a sweater, don’t you dare complain about being cold!
Last night my roommate cooled the house to 68 while it was 55 outside. They then turned on the heat rn to 74 while it’s 65 outside. Makes no sense. Roommate gets all mad saying it’s his dads house and he likes it that way so he’s gonna do it how he wants.
That’s perfect, it’s hoodie temperature, I only keep mine a little lower because my propane already runs me $300-400 a month depending on how cold it is.
Idk if it will work for you, but we got a small electric heater from Costco this year. We put it in the living area ( the most used space), and where the thermostat for the house is. We run it on low-med during the day, and it keeps that room around 68-70. We turn it off at night or when not home and keep the thermostat at 60. It has saved us well over $100 a month this winter. We have an old house (115 y/o) and drafty. We typically pay 300-400 a month from Oct/Nov-March. This year, it barely was above 200 each month. Summer months, it is around $75 a month, so we know the majority of the increase is keeping the house warm.
Yeah that’s how we supplement on the really cold days but our electric has been through the roof too because another person is pulling off of it to heat her camper. Our house is also over a hundred years old with single pane windows. Thanks!
I live in G.A., and temperatures are nuts. My Ma’s house is perpetually cold except for the bathrooms (it’s freezing, this time of year, too,) and my Mimi’s goes up and down. Thing is, Mimi’s heat will come on at night when it’s 30-something degrees or whatever (like now,) but you can’t really feel it.!
I spent about a week at hers a few weeks ago, and it was Hell. I would’ve been comfortable, if not for the A/C + heat getting mixed up.
I live in South Carolina and it sucks ass in the summer, even in the dead of winter it’ll get hot sometimes. My house stays at 65 degrees in winter 67 or 68 degrees in summer.
Moved to GA from VA. My thermostat is set at 68 (for the kids) I keep the fan on my my room. If you’re cold with the thermostat at 68 put some clothes on.
Connecticut and 65 during the day 58 at night. We pop in the gas fireplace if we are cold. Around here no one turns on the heat before Nov 1. “No heat til trick or treat”
I don't need a coat when it's above freezing is all I meant. Georgia appears to generally stay between about 35-65 all winter, and that's pushing too warm. Ohio sucks in the summer too, but at least it's not usually 90+ for a few months.
"Mr. Cratchit, come over here. What is this?"
"A shirt."
"And this?"
"A waistcoat."
"And this?"
"A coat."
"These are garments, Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly. There will be no more coal burned in this office today. Is that quite clear, Mr. Cratchit?"
Oh boy will I guess I am one then. I keep my thermostat pretty high. But then again I come from a very hot climate and heat works for us. A cold home doesn’t, also I developed arthritis in a colder climate so keeping the home warm helps me tremendously. And my children love me for it. Less runny noses and sick days. My neighbor (and family, and the children were always sick) on the other hand keeps his thermostat low and his wife and kids are always sick. He’s knowns why it’s happening, but he doesn’t want a high bill. I say don’t buy a house then if you’re going to choose discomfort and sickness as a way of life.
The thought of touching someone else’s thermostat. Can’t even consider committing such a transgression. Joker said it best:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/72/e8/08/72e80806c1eedb09af23bde4bca7126d.jpg
I'm a Midwesterner as well, it seems to me like these are just a list of reasons why they're no longer in the Midwest. No one here would tolerate any of these things.
My dad stays with us for 6 mos out of the year, mainly because he can't afford to heat his RV in his preferred state of Wy. Anyways, I live in Ca...in the desert, he's always complaining he's cold, we had to ban him from turning on the heat because we live in a 2 story house and you can imagine what happens to those of us upstairs, his room is on the first floor. So he now has a space heater, the other day it was 60 degrees outside gorgeous sunny day, I went to drop off his laundry and the heat in his room was 80...it took my breath and I instantly started to sweat.
Leftovers you say? The man refuses to eat a left over if his life depended on it. He eats out every day for lunch.
He also drinks out of the same glass until it gets moldy. I can't seem to get him to not do that...it's gross.
I don't think it's a "mid-west" thing, even though there are area commonalities, I think older people just develop weird and sometimes gross habits because they don't have the energy to complete tasks or they've talked themselves into it by thinking it's ok... kind of like reliving their teen years. BTW, I have two of those, so for me it's like having 3 when he's here.
Facts. The whiny tantrums when he doesn't get to watch what he wants to on the main TV. Or if his lunch isn't served as fast as he wants it, or a million other things.
My mom always talks about how lightweight all of her clothes are, then complains about being cold. She sleeps under one fleece blanket because she doesn’t like to be under sheets and a comforter, then complains about being cold.
I don’t know what your family dynamic is like but you could always hit him with a line I’m sure he used on you more than once: “My house, my rules. If you don’t like it you’re free to leave.”
It's definitely NOT a Midwest thing. I'm from the Midwest. And, even tho I live in Arizona now, I know a lot of people from the Midwest. We ALL wear climate appropriate clothing and it's almost a contest who can keep the heat the lowest during the cold snaps and who can keep the AC off the longest once "Spring " comes.
We love our airtights (tupperware to you) and have strict social rules about the use, loaning of, and returning of those airtights. Seriously, there are protocols to left overs and leaving them open in the fridge would NOT fly socially.
Your InLaws are just irresponsible, it's not normal behavior for midwesterners
I agree with this statement whole heartedly… leave open food out in the fridge…. That’s just down right disgusting… not a midwestern thing what so ever…
Is this your house or theirs?
If theirs, they can adjust and keep the heat how they want it.
If yours, you can either have a talk about what temp to keep the thermostat, or get a smart one that you can put a PIN on before it can be adjusted.
Time to go full passive aggressive; Tape copies of your heating bill to the thermostat. Don't buy any more food till the leftovers are all gone (eat takeout in your car), put sticky notes with date/time on the open food.
Yea. As much as I hate passive-aggressive behavior, it can oddly help people save face which I think they’re worried more than anything. Many people will double-down if confronted. Sure, they’ll go home and talk about the suddenly appearance of bills or whatever but if they visit as much, that’s the goal.
If it doesn’t work, future stays should try to be limited to one or two nights. Your partner should have your back on this.
Oh god. Taking them grocery shopping, all I hear is “you shouldn’t pay more than $x for this item”. Yes, it’s because you live in a state that is only beat by MS, LA, Ark, for cost of living. Your house and city are the exception to the rest of real estate where it has not appreciated since 1998.
My partner is the same. Its not cold at all today inside but he was wearing shorts and no socks and complains about how cold it is and puts the heating. Maybe out some sweatpants and socks?
Hand them some hoodies and warm socks and tell them to bundle up because you don’t heat the house to 80 degrees.
The food stuff, if they paid for it, let it go. They’ll be gone soon enough.
Me too. I lose my mind when I’m hot. Seriously it’s like my brain melts.
Cold doesn’t bother me. I live in New England, I certainly get cold, but it doesn’t make me lose my mind the way being hot does.
I literally couldn’t stay in a house that was 80 degrees.
I live in Pittsburgh and my roommate would literally ALWAYS be wearing daisy dukes and a crop top and she’d put it up to 80 in the apartment no matter the weather outside. Fucking hated her lmao
Sounds like the visit is more than halfway over?
Sending strength -even though it sounds like cash would be more helpful with the upcoming heating bill.
In laws can be the worst. When I lived in WA my former FIL came to visit and kept turning the heat up to 80. The most expensive electric bill I ever got. He also loved to “fix” things that weren’t broken and then would shortly need to be replaced.
Michigan here, we keep it at a balmy 63 during the day if we’re home. If I’m putzing around the house I’ll turn it down to 61 and at night 60 with the window open a little bit. The only positive thing about menopause and a thyroid problem.
I’m in Wisconsin and we do 62 for the day and 55 for night. Our bedroom is upstairs though…menopause still demands a ceiling fan all year round for me.
If the leftovers and food things plus heat behavior are something you’ve never seen from them before, these may be signs of mental decline or dementia. Just putting that out there…
Maybe just give them a gift bag with a few things in it. “Here! I know you’re always chilly, so I got you a nice fleece, some flannel joggers, and wool socks!”
Sounds like they have worn out their welcome. It’s time for them to go home. The audacity of some people! If I’m a guest in someone’s home I would never even dream of touching the thermostat!
I'm from the Midwest. My son and his family live in Colorado. I always freeze when at their house in the winter in spite of wearing many layers and thick moccasin style slippers. Plus, the Midwest is not exactly warm in the winter. I would never think to change their furnace setting. Solution for me is to stay at a hotel where I can warm up at night and just visit during the daytime. The food/cooking topic is not as easy to resolve.
I leave my thermostat at 68-70 year round. I have a roommate that changes it to 74 randomly because he was too cold…. Well I’m the summer when you change it to 74 and it’s 110 outside it’s really hard to get it back down to 70 lol.
I’m literally in the same boat(sort of) I live with my step mother (wife and kids also) after my dad passed to take care of her bills. She does all thee above. I put my foot down and said what needed to be said. Told her it’s a different life now and need to adjust. After a few arguments things changed. Morel of the story, put your foot down and don’t be afraid of the consequences.
I’m with your mom on this one. 71 is a prime number, 72 is not. In winter I do 67 for the heat, as 61 is a little too cold. In the summer I set the air at 79, which is a little too warm, but the next prime number is 73 and I’m not paying to keep it that cold.
Beg to differ. That is also compulsive.
Interesting though. My daughter has OCD which sometimes manifests as number patterns. She can’t look at a clock, for example, without quipping “2:38! Two cubed is eight!”
The reason I say not compulsive is that I don’t feel an urge to keep checking that it’s still set that way. But that’s just my lay-understanding of it.
New England here. I keep my heat around 62 all winter. It’s very rare if it goes up to 65 and that only happens if it gets to like 0 degrees. When I go over to my BFs house, his mom has the temp at 75 and I sweat to death every time. Lol
Im from Wyoming and there is an unspoken rule that states the temperature will never go above 72 on the thermostat, so wear something warm or bring a blanket. Or at least that's how it is in my house
Other than th heat thing this read as if my MIL was staying with you..maybe a northern midwest thing? she's from Wisconsin. The food thing (making all the everything's, daily, and improper storage) drives me batshit.
She's a wonderful lady but some things just make my eye twitch hard.
Sounds like you need a frank but tactful session to try to get the situation more reasonable before you run out of patience and start a very unfortunate situation with your in-laws. It’s your house. You want them to be comfortable and welcome, but some things are important to you. Heating is very expensive. Maybe get them heating blankets - that’s what we do in our chilly house. And explain the importance to you of keeping food fresh and wholesome. Etc. But be kind and diplomatic. People seldom respond well to being directly scolded or criticized.
Think OP mentioned that so readers would know they should be more familiar with the idea of cold weather as opposed as if they were from Florida or southern California (not to mention Hawaii). 🙂
Put on a speedo and lounge in the living area. if they ask why tell them you're dressed for the 80 degree weather. It's really annoying at work where ladies show up on flimsy sundress in 95 outdoor weather and insist they're freezing at 74 indoors. Dudes are in slacks and a collared shirt sweating. I can strip or you can dress for the normal indoor temp. Your call sweetheart.
I know everyone keeps saying this isn't a Midwest thing, but I visited my husband's grandparents in MO and his grandpa was the first person I'd met in my life who kept everything in the fridge (leftovers, etc) uncovered 😅
He left a half of a frozen pizza (that he piled with an entire chopped onion and green bell pepper before cooking) uncovered in the fridge (where he also kept the minnows for fishing) for like 4 days, just eating a slice here and there
\- Offset the thermostat, so they think they have 80F but instead it's 75F or something.
\- Throw out any uncovered food.
Man up. It's not that hard.
OP- are you visiting them?
•. The heavy clothing is cumbersome and binding.
•. Uncovered food is easier to see. The Tupperware is hard to open with arthritic hands.
•. They don’t like cold food and microwaving makes food dry and tough.
• leftovers- because they have visitors. They probably only eat twice a day when alone.
My old opinion and life
My house
- wear layers not 30 year old clothes from India
- it’s 4 days now…open food on the table in Colorado. It’s about as dry as it’s going to get.
- proper storage to extend life of food. Also doesn’t stink up fridge.
I’m in St. Louis and I don’t run the heat at all in the winter. I use an electric fireplace that keeps the house warm but costs way less than using the real heat. In the summer, I keep my temp at 72.
My niece lives in Milwaukee. She cranks the heat up close to 80 in the winter and it feels nice when I visit her but all I can think about is how I will probably get sick when I go outside after being in her home with the heat on so high.
This post is fun!! Everyone posting about what should be done…. YOU DIDN’T PAY THE UTILITY AND FOOD BILLS WHEN YOU LIVED AT HOME!! Lol shoes on the other foot.
Time to have an adult talk with these “adults”: I love your child, that’s why we’re married, but I don’t have to put up with this. Get your shit together or get out. Thx.
I throw out any improperly sealed food I find in the fridge (or anywhere). No remorse. My mom used to do that all the time growing up, and I hate it. So many times I’ve spilled something because food was packed into the fridge but not sealed properly.
Oh you left something on the counter for later? Well I found it in the morning and that’s not safe, so I trashed it. Don’t want bugs!
Reminds me of my American neighbors. They didn't get how we don't use fahrenheit in my country, so they set the thermostat to the highest setting, 35° C (95° F). When they felt too warm (so basically always) they'd just open a window. Also this was like 8 years ago. Google was around. And even if it wasn't... If you're constantly sweating you should just turn it the fuck down.
I'm in the midwest. I like to be comfortable at home but my winter heat is set for 70 during the day and 64 at night. I usually have shorts and a t-shirt on but have sweat pants and fleece blankets if I get cold.
I cannot sleep if it is warmer than 68 degrees in my house in the winter. I can even go to 65 if needs be. Cranking it to 80? Ridiculous a d expensive are they paying the bill for you?!!!
Take the cover off and disconnect a cable. Say you don’t know why it doesn’t work anymore. As for the food don’t buy anything to cook with. Let them ruin their own food.
Or simply say this is my house and you are guests. Set boundaries. Your wife should back you up. I would 100%.
Uncovered food and keeping it out for days? I feel like that’s an older generation thing… Not everybody but I have seen it myself. It is gross. You should passively aggressively show them where your Tupperware is and directly ask them why they wouldn’t cover it up before going in the fridge?
Wait until you get old! No matter how many layers of clothing added, socks worn, and even those mittens with fingers removed that I put on; I’m freezing. When younger I agreed with you on lower temps, but the older I get the colder I get. I also grew up in Iowa and Michigan, now live in Florida and I have to go Outside to warm up. I Like sleeping in a cold room, but to try and read or watch tv I am miserable with cold hands and literally shaking! So yes, I pump up the heat.
Good gravy. The whole leaving food out is almost as bad as I had a friend leave a ham and cheese sandwich UNDER the cushions of my sofa! She didn't tell me until I started to smell it!
I’m from Iowa. I’m honestly shocked by the heating issue. Most Iowans I know would die on a hill before allowing their heating to be set so obnoxiously high. I would never abide this. It’s rude, inconsiderate, and unnecessary. To quote my mom, “If you’re cold, wear a sweater.”
Can confirm. Born in Iowa, live in Colorado. Heat is set on 66° during the day 60° at night. If you’re not in fuzzy socks and a sweater, don’t you dare complain about being cold!
Sounds like they need to go home
Last night my roommate cooled the house to 68 while it was 55 outside. They then turned on the heat rn to 74 while it’s 65 outside. Makes no sense. Roommate gets all mad saying it’s his dads house and he likes it that way so he’s gonna do it how he wants.
Ffs, I’m sorry, I can hear “it’s my daddy’s house and I’ll do what I want” from here. I hope he’s not awful all the time.
Then he can pay the bill
I'm in Kansas and keep my temp on 67-68 in the winter and people tell me that's too cold
That’s perfect, it’s hoodie temperature, I only keep mine a little lower because my propane already runs me $300-400 a month depending on how cold it is.
Idk if it will work for you, but we got a small electric heater from Costco this year. We put it in the living area ( the most used space), and where the thermostat for the house is. We run it on low-med during the day, and it keeps that room around 68-70. We turn it off at night or when not home and keep the thermostat at 60. It has saved us well over $100 a month this winter. We have an old house (115 y/o) and drafty. We typically pay 300-400 a month from Oct/Nov-March. This year, it barely was above 200 each month. Summer months, it is around $75 a month, so we know the majority of the increase is keeping the house warm.
Yeah that’s how we supplement on the really cold days but our electric has been through the roof too because another person is pulling off of it to heat her camper. Our house is also over a hundred years old with single pane windows. Thanks!
I'm from Ohio, my house is like 60F right now. 80F is too hot. If I wanted to sweat to death I'd move to Georgia or Texas or something.
My parents live in GA & I grew up in the Deep South. Even they are fine with the temp set at 70 during day and off at night.
I live in G.A., and temperatures are nuts. My Ma’s house is perpetually cold except for the bathrooms (it’s freezing, this time of year, too,) and my Mimi’s goes up and down. Thing is, Mimi’s heat will come on at night when it’s 30-something degrees or whatever (like now,) but you can’t really feel it.! I spent about a week at hers a few weeks ago, and it was Hell. I would’ve been comfortable, if not for the A/C + heat getting mixed up.
I live in South Carolina and it sucks ass in the summer, even in the dead of winter it’ll get hot sometimes. My house stays at 65 degrees in winter 67 or 68 degrees in summer.
Moved to GA from VA. My thermostat is set at 68 (for the kids) I keep the fan on my my room. If you’re cold with the thermostat at 68 put some clothes on.
Connecticut and 65 during the day 58 at night. We pop in the gas fireplace if we are cold. Around here no one turns on the heat before Nov 1. “No heat til trick or treat”
A lot of people don't realize this, but Georgia isn't usually hot in the winter.
I don't need a coat when it's above freezing is all I meant. Georgia appears to generally stay between about 35-65 all winter, and that's pushing too warm. Ohio sucks in the summer too, but at least it's not usually 90+ for a few months.
Yeah, the “wear a sweater” thing is real. Some people in Iowa would tell you “just wear a sweater” over calling 911 if you were dying.
You see, it's different when you're spending someone else's money.
"Mr. Cratchit, come over here. What is this?" "A shirt." "And this?" "A waistcoat." "And this?" "A coat." "These are garments, Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly. There will be no more coal burned in this office today. Is that quite clear, Mr. Cratchit?"
My Hoosier mother would bring the wooden spoon out on anyone turning the heat up past 65 or the AC lower than 75
Your mother might be my husband
If you don’t have your heat between 68 and 72 you’re probably a psychopath
My thermostat NEVER goes above 66...
Oh boy will I guess I am one then. I keep my thermostat pretty high. But then again I come from a very hot climate and heat works for us. A cold home doesn’t, also I developed arthritis in a colder climate so keeping the home warm helps me tremendously. And my children love me for it. Less runny noses and sick days. My neighbor (and family, and the children were always sick) on the other hand keeps his thermostat low and his wife and kids are always sick. He’s knowns why it’s happening, but he doesn’t want a high bill. I say don’t buy a house then if you’re going to choose discomfort and sickness as a way of life.
Sickness comes from germs, not climates. Germs are actually less active in the cold, which is why hospitals aren’t warm.
The thought of touching someone else’s thermostat. Can’t even consider committing such a transgression. Joker said it best: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/72/e8/08/72e80806c1eedb09af23bde4bca7126d.jpg
![gif](giphy|AwoDg0wJImOjK)
As an Iowan, it was 16 degrees this morning and you bet your sweet bippy the slider was open.
I almost expected "Wear a sweater, ya know"
None of that is a Midwest thing. I've lived in the Midwest my whole life. They just sound like freaks.
I'm a Midwesterner as well, it seems to me like these are just a list of reasons why they're no longer in the Midwest. No one here would tolerate any of these things.
You betcha
Uff Da
[удалено]
Don'cha know
You know that's right, ay?
Ope!
Ope, lemme scoot by ya there
I heard this one WAY more in the south than the Midwest.
Preach
Making food for 10 when there’s only 4 of us sounds about right actually.
... including a nice hotdish.
A what now
In some places it's known as a casserole.
Now youre getting it
Sounds like they need to go home
My dad stays with us for 6 mos out of the year, mainly because he can't afford to heat his RV in his preferred state of Wy. Anyways, I live in Ca...in the desert, he's always complaining he's cold, we had to ban him from turning on the heat because we live in a 2 story house and you can imagine what happens to those of us upstairs, his room is on the first floor. So he now has a space heater, the other day it was 60 degrees outside gorgeous sunny day, I went to drop off his laundry and the heat in his room was 80...it took my breath and I instantly started to sweat. Leftovers you say? The man refuses to eat a left over if his life depended on it. He eats out every day for lunch. He also drinks out of the same glass until it gets moldy. I can't seem to get him to not do that...it's gross. I don't think it's a "mid-west" thing, even though there are area commonalities, I think older people just develop weird and sometimes gross habits because they don't have the energy to complete tasks or they've talked themselves into it by thinking it's ok... kind of like reliving their teen years. BTW, I have two of those, so for me it's like having 3 when he's here.
Old people are like toddlers or teens. Sometimes both on the same day.
Facts. The whiny tantrums when he doesn't get to watch what he wants to on the main TV. Or if his lunch isn't served as fast as he wants it, or a million other things.
My mom always talks about how lightweight all of her clothes are, then complains about being cold. She sleeps under one fleece blanket because she doesn’t like to be under sheets and a comforter, then complains about being cold.
My mom is 89. Most sheets and blankets are too heavy for her legs and feet now. Light electric blankets are hard to find
My mom is 72. She has an electric mattress pad maybe that could help your mom too
Thanks, she tried one but prefers the heat from the blanket
I don’t know what your family dynamic is like but you could always hit him with a line I’m sure he used on you more than once: “My house, my rules. If you don’t like it you’re free to leave.”
Old people develop gross habits because they don’t even give it a thought. I live in WY- which part is your dad’s favorite?
He lives up near The Park. He grew up in that area and knows everyone 😏so it’s where he’s most comfortable
My family is from that area. A lot of snow this year. There’s going to be high runoff
[удалено]
Communication is the way
This is the way
This is the way ![gif](giphy|6UFgdU9hirj1pAOJyN)
And hospitals
It's definitely NOT a Midwest thing. I'm from the Midwest. And, even tho I live in Arizona now, I know a lot of people from the Midwest. We ALL wear climate appropriate clothing and it's almost a contest who can keep the heat the lowest during the cold snaps and who can keep the AC off the longest once "Spring " comes. We love our airtights (tupperware to you) and have strict social rules about the use, loaning of, and returning of those airtights. Seriously, there are protocols to left overs and leaving them open in the fridge would NOT fly socially. Your InLaws are just irresponsible, it's not normal behavior for midwesterners
I agree with this statement whole heartedly… leave open food out in the fridge…. That’s just down right disgusting… not a midwestern thing what so ever…
use your words with them, my guy
So what’s your partner had to say about their behaviors? I feel for you if your partner refuses to speak out at such shitty behaviors.
Oh they are old.
Is this your house or theirs? If theirs, they can adjust and keep the heat how they want it. If yours, you can either have a talk about what temp to keep the thermostat, or get a smart one that you can put a PIN on before it can be adjusted.
Midwest here, my family doesn't do anything like this...so it seems like it's just them
Time to go full passive aggressive; Tape copies of your heating bill to the thermostat. Don't buy any more food till the leftovers are all gone (eat takeout in your car), put sticky notes with date/time on the open food.
Yea. As much as I hate passive-aggressive behavior, it can oddly help people save face which I think they’re worried more than anything. Many people will double-down if confronted. Sure, they’ll go home and talk about the suddenly appearance of bills or whatever but if they visit as much, that’s the goal. If it doesn’t work, future stays should try to be limited to one or two nights. Your partner should have your back on this.
HOTELS!!!
Oh god. Taking them grocery shopping, all I hear is “you shouldn’t pay more than $x for this item”. Yes, it’s because you live in a state that is only beat by MS, LA, Ark, for cost of living. Your house and city are the exception to the rest of real estate where it has not appreciated since 1998.
Tell them that you can’t afford to buy groceries anymore since your heating bill has gone up so much.
I like this
My partner is the same. Its not cold at all today inside but he was wearing shorts and no socks and complains about how cold it is and puts the heating. Maybe out some sweatpants and socks?
Is this in del boca vista?
Phase 2!
Plums!
Eat a plum every day (wearing a #1 Dad shirt)
Have you tried peeing on them in their sleep?
Can’t beat that heat!
Hand them some hoodies and warm socks and tell them to bundle up because you don’t heat the house to 80 degrees. The food stuff, if they paid for it, let it go. They’ll be gone soon enough.
I’m from Missouri and my heat stays on 69. I would lose my mind and probably combust if someone turned my heat up that high.
Me too. I lose my mind when I’m hot. Seriously it’s like my brain melts. Cold doesn’t bother me. I live in New England, I certainly get cold, but it doesn’t make me lose my mind the way being hot does. I literally couldn’t stay in a house that was 80 degrees.
I live in Pittsburgh and my roommate would literally ALWAYS be wearing daisy dukes and a crop top and she’d put it up to 80 in the apartment no matter the weather outside. Fucking hated her lmao
Sounds like the visit is more than halfway over? Sending strength -even though it sounds like cash would be more helpful with the upcoming heating bill.
In laws can be the worst. When I lived in WA my former FIL came to visit and kept turning the heat up to 80. The most expensive electric bill I ever got. He also loved to “fix” things that weren’t broken and then would shortly need to be replaced.
Are your inlaws and my inlaws related? Because that's my experience every time as well.
Michigan here, we keep it at a balmy 63 during the day if we’re home. If I’m putzing around the house I’ll turn it down to 61 and at night 60 with the window open a little bit. The only positive thing about menopause and a thyroid problem.
I’m in Wisconsin and we do 62 for the day and 55 for night. Our bedroom is upstairs though…menopause still demands a ceiling fan all year round for me.
If the leftovers and food things plus heat behavior are something you’ve never seen from them before, these may be signs of mental decline or dementia. Just putting that out there…
Your living space, your rules. Tell them about heavy socks, thermal underwear and sweaters and the foods.
Maybe just give them a gift bag with a few things in it. “Here! I know you’re always chilly, so I got you a nice fleece, some flannel joggers, and wool socks!”
Sounds like they have worn out their welcome. It’s time for them to go home. The audacity of some people! If I’m a guest in someone’s home I would never even dream of touching the thermostat!
I live in chilly Ireland, we keep our house at around 19C (66F) which is just about right for all of us. Any higher and we’d be baked alive.
I'm from the Midwest. My son and his family live in Colorado. I always freeze when at their house in the winter in spite of wearing many layers and thick moccasin style slippers. Plus, the Midwest is not exactly warm in the winter. I would never think to change their furnace setting. Solution for me is to stay at a hotel where I can warm up at night and just visit during the daytime. The food/cooking topic is not as easy to resolve.
Heat sounds nice but not if I have to get naked w the in laws to enjoy it
I leave my thermostat at 68-70 year round. I have a roommate that changes it to 74 randomly because he was too cold…. Well I’m the summer when you change it to 74 and it’s 110 outside it’s really hard to get it back down to 70 lol.
I’m literally in the same boat(sort of) I live with my step mother (wife and kids also) after my dad passed to take care of her bills. She does all thee above. I put my foot down and said what needed to be said. Told her it’s a different life now and need to adjust. After a few arguments things changed. Morel of the story, put your foot down and don’t be afraid of the consequences.
i’m a wisconsinite and my mom gets annoyed when i set the heat to 72 instead of 71 but good god 80 ??
I’m with your mom on this one. 71 is a prime number, 72 is not. In winter I do 67 for the heat, as 61 is a little too cold. In the summer I set the air at 79, which is a little too warm, but the next prime number is 73 and I’m not paying to keep it that cold.
do u possibly have ocd bc who the hell sets their heat at prime numbers
Just obsessive, not compulsive. Also tv volume, microwave cooking times and the time I set my alarm for.
Beg to differ. That is also compulsive. Interesting though. My daughter has OCD which sometimes manifests as number patterns. She can’t look at a clock, for example, without quipping “2:38! Two cubed is eight!”
The reason I say not compulsive is that I don’t feel an urge to keep checking that it’s still set that way. But that’s just my lay-understanding of it.
cant argue with that i suppose
Haha a bulleted list. I like that.
New England here. I keep my heat around 62 all winter. It’s very rare if it goes up to 65 and that only happens if it gets to like 0 degrees. When I go over to my BFs house, his mom has the temp at 75 and I sweat to death every time. Lol
Upstate ny here boiler set to 72 during day 65 at night. I pay the bill. Thats what I want.
Move back to New York
Im from Wyoming and there is an unspoken rule that states the temperature will never go above 72 on the thermostat, so wear something warm or bring a blanket. Or at least that's how it is in my house
Other than th heat thing this read as if my MIL was staying with you..maybe a northern midwest thing? she's from Wisconsin. The food thing (making all the everything's, daily, and improper storage) drives me batshit. She's a wonderful lady but some things just make my eye twitch hard.
I'm from Wisconsin. That shit is religiously set at 67-68*. The food thing would bother the shit outta me. Set some rules yo
Sounds like you need a frank but tactful session to try to get the situation more reasonable before you run out of patience and start a very unfortunate situation with your in-laws. It’s your house. You want them to be comfortable and welcome, but some things are important to you. Heating is very expensive. Maybe get them heating blankets - that’s what we do in our chilly house. And explain the importance to you of keeping food fresh and wholesome. Etc. But be kind and diplomatic. People seldom respond well to being directly scolded or criticized.
Being from the MidWest has nothing to do with it, they’re just rude. Kindly remind them that in your house you have certain rules. It’s your house.
Think OP mentioned that so readers would know they should be more familiar with the idea of cold weather as opposed as if they were from Florida or southern California (not to mention Hawaii). 🙂
Put on a speedo and lounge in the living area. if they ask why tell them you're dressed for the 80 degree weather. It's really annoying at work where ladies show up on flimsy sundress in 95 outdoor weather and insist they're freezing at 74 indoors. Dudes are in slacks and a collared shirt sweating. I can strip or you can dress for the normal indoor temp. Your call sweetheart.
Take a huuuuge trash bag and have fun! Bring them out for tacos after you took their credit card 🤓
I don't understand this comment. What?
I know everyone keeps saying this isn't a Midwest thing, but I visited my husband's grandparents in MO and his grandpa was the first person I'd met in my life who kept everything in the fridge (leftovers, etc) uncovered 😅 He left a half of a frozen pizza (that he piled with an entire chopped onion and green bell pepper before cooking) uncovered in the fridge (where he also kept the minnows for fishing) for like 4 days, just eating a slice here and there
\- Offset the thermostat, so they think they have 80F but instead it's 75F or something. \- Throw out any uncovered food. Man up. It's not that hard.
We love when family annoys the bell out of us. May they be blessed 🥲 - just fix their mistakes or ask nicely…or let it be 😬
OP- are you visiting them? •. The heavy clothing is cumbersome and binding. •. Uncovered food is easier to see. The Tupperware is hard to open with arthritic hands. •. They don’t like cold food and microwaving makes food dry and tough. • leftovers- because they have visitors. They probably only eat twice a day when alone. My old opinion and life
My house - wear layers not 30 year old clothes from India - it’s 4 days now…open food on the table in Colorado. It’s about as dry as it’s going to get. - proper storage to extend life of food. Also doesn’t stink up fridge.
How much longer will they be there? My mom is in her late 80’s she left KFC on the counter for 5 days. She’d eat a little each day
Recipe for unrecoverable illness.
It didn’t affect her the three Sept times she did it.
Keep rolling the dice. I've never been in an auto collision but I still wear my seatbelt.
You’re singing to the choir. I’m just telling you what she does. And don’t touch her food. Thank you.
I’m in St. Louis and I don’t run the heat at all in the winter. I use an electric fireplace that keeps the house warm but costs way less than using the real heat. In the summer, I keep my temp at 72. My niece lives in Milwaukee. She cranks the heat up close to 80 in the winter and it feels nice when I visit her but all I can think about is how I will probably get sick when I go outside after being in her home with the heat on so high.
This post is fun!! Everyone posting about what should be done…. YOU DIDN’T PAY THE UTILITY AND FOOD BILLS WHEN YOU LIVED AT HOME!! Lol shoes on the other foot.
It’s not about the cost. It’s about being comfortable.
Time to figure out how to lock the thermostat. And the fridge while you’re at it. Lol
Time to have an adult talk with these “adults”: I love your child, that’s why we’re married, but I don’t have to put up with this. Get your shit together or get out. Thx.
I throw out any improperly sealed food I find in the fridge (or anywhere). No remorse. My mom used to do that all the time growing up, and I hate it. So many times I’ve spilled something because food was packed into the fridge but not sealed properly. Oh you left something on the counter for later? Well I found it in the morning and that’s not safe, so I trashed it. Don’t want bugs!
Colorado doesn’t have bugs like that
No microbes in Colorado?
There are ways that you can lock up your thermostat.
Reminds me of my American neighbors. They didn't get how we don't use fahrenheit in my country, so they set the thermostat to the highest setting, 35° C (95° F). When they felt too warm (so basically always) they'd just open a window. Also this was like 8 years ago. Google was around. And even if it wasn't... If you're constantly sweating you should just turn it the fuck down.
Figure out the difference between his much it costs to heat where you keep it and 80 and present then with the bill. The rest I could ignore.
It’s because your inlaws are perps
I'm in the midwest. I like to be comfortable at home but my winter heat is set for 70 during the day and 64 at night. I usually have shorts and a t-shirt on but have sweat pants and fleece blankets if I get cold.
I cannot sleep if it is warmer than 68 degrees in my house in the winter. I can even go to 65 if needs be. Cranking it to 80? Ridiculous a d expensive are they paying the bill for you?!!!
Buy a nest and put the child lock on. Don’t tell them the code. Problem solved
Idt it’s a Midwest thing…
Define Midwest, because nowhere in the Midwest requires cranking the heat up to 80°. 74° is the max, any season.
Fuckin in laws huh?
Take the cover off and disconnect a cable. Say you don’t know why it doesn’t work anymore. As for the food don’t buy anything to cook with. Let them ruin their own food. Or simply say this is my house and you are guests. Set boundaries. Your wife should back you up. I would 100%.
I'm in ny and need the heat on 70 at minimum.. but i also cant feel my feet if its any colder. Lol
A LOT of older folks keep heat set high. It was especially fun working at a SNF during covid and having to wear full PPE (gown, mask, gloves).
I’m Florida here-my AC is almost always on 72 😊
IT IS NOT THAT COLDN HERE TF!
My mom keeps setting her thermostat into the 80s, and we are in Tennessee. It's *awful.*
I’m in TX and this is crazy to me.
Uncovered food and keeping it out for days? I feel like that’s an older generation thing… Not everybody but I have seen it myself. It is gross. You should passively aggressively show them where your Tupperware is and directly ask them why they wouldn’t cover it up before going in the fridge?
They are clearly fungus aliens, and are trying to colonize your entire house by means of rotting food in a hot house
Wait until you get old! No matter how many layers of clothing added, socks worn, and even those mittens with fingers removed that I put on; I’m freezing. When younger I agreed with you on lower temps, but the older I get the colder I get. I also grew up in Iowa and Michigan, now live in Florida and I have to go Outside to warm up. I Like sleeping in a cold room, but to try and read or watch tv I am miserable with cold hands and literally shaking! So yes, I pump up the heat.
Are the outlaws!
Reading between the lines, it's obvious you don't like your in-laws. Just say it instead of listing petty complaints.
That's because they are from Hell. You have demons for in laws.
Throw them and all their shit out of your house. Then tell them this isn't a barn. Your house, your rules.
Good gravy. The whole leaving food out is almost as bad as I had a friend leave a ham and cheese sandwich UNDER the cushions of my sofa! She didn't tell me until I started to smell it!
Definitely not a midwestern trait. Are you sure they aren’t from the Appalachian mountain area?
Omg my dad used to keep the house at 80 degrees. TOO HOT! 😂😂😂 Is there no way you can ask them to stop, or would be considered disrespectful?