Why Nepalese couriers wear jackets and gloves in 40-degree heat: Doctor explains

Many Romanians have expressed confusion and curiosity about Nepalese couriers who wear jackets, long pants, and gloves despite high temperatures, sometimes exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. This practice has sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms.

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Oamenii care vin din Asia de Sud-Est se îmbracă gros ca să se protejeze de soare. Acolo soarele e mult mai puternic și mai dăunător decât la noi. Sunt obișnuiți să moară de cald și să poarte haine groase când e cald.

Medical professionals and those familiar with Asian customs offer explanations rooted in acclimatization and protection. Dr. Cecilia Birău notes that individuals accustomed to the intense sun and heat of South Asian countries often wear thicker clothing as a defense against powerful UV rays. This practice, while seemingly counterintuitive, helps them feel cooler than if they were in lighter attire.

One user shared an experience from Vietnam, where people commonly wear protective clothing even in hot weather. They observed that this attire, designed for UV protection, surprisingly made them feel more comfortable than wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Similar observations have been made in China and Tanzania, suggesting a regional pattern of dressing for sun protection.

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Raze UV, plus că merg pe motoare și se feresc de praf, pietre, insecte. Am întrebat și eu un băiat și așa a explicat.

Beyond sun protection, the clothing serves practical purposes for couriers. It shields them from dust, insects, and potential minor injuries from road debris or falls, especially when traveling by scooter. The difference in perceived temperature is also attributed to acclimatization; individuals from regions with extreme summer heat, like Iran or Nepal, may find Romania's 30-35 degree weather more bearable and thus opt for fuller coverage.

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Am avut o colegă din Iran care vara se îmbrăca cu haine lungi și, eventual, cu o jachetă. E vorba de aclimatizare. De unde venea ea, din Teheran, era obișnuită cu temperaturi mult mai mari vara, de 40–45, poate chiar 50 de grade, așa că temperaturile de la noi, de 30–35 de grade, i se păreau mult mai scăzute comparativ.