Americans baffled by UK heatwave complaints as they say 'just open a window'

Temperatures are set to reach 31C in the UK this week (stock image)

A pair of US podcast hosts have been left baffled as to why Brits can't handle temperatures rising.

The sun has been shining across the UK recently and temperatures have risen – with highs of 31C expected this week. However, going from rain and cloud to heat waves can be an adjustment some of us aren't ready for.

Lots of us will be tossing and turning in our sleep or rummaging through our homes to find a fan to cool us down, or keeping our windows and doors open for hours. The heatwave has sparked debate on social media platforms recently – and Americans have been left battled by why some Brits find the conditions insufferable.

One man, Jack Mac, went viral on X after he said our heatwaves are like "a nice spring day" in the US, and added : "Sometimes I'm shocked how soft the Brits are."

What's more, hosts of the popular sports and debate podcast Pardon My Take, Dan 'Big Cat' Katz and Hank Lockwood, took to the airwaves similarly confused. Dan said: "British people are complaining about normal temperatures.

"In England they're going to reach a high of 26C and it's going to stay that hot for 48 hours. This can't be real."

Hank added: "I was going to say that seems low, but if they're complaining already it's got to be." Dan was baffled by one thing most of us don't have – air conditioning. He continued: "Apparently all of England doesn't have air conditioning – I didn't realise that. That's the big complaint." He insisted Brits "just go on Amazon" and buy an air conditioning unit.

But co-host Hank pointed out: "78F [26C] is wonderful degrees outside, it's perfect. It does stink though if it gets above like 75F [23C] inside your own apartment. That's bad."

Standing by his point, Dan added: "But just go outside where it's beautiful out, there's probably a breeze out. So just open your window. I also saw people saying all of our houses are old and we don't have AC. Move to America," added Dan.

The hosts' confusion prompted more than 16,000 comments after a clip from the podcast episode was shared on TikTok. One American said: "A British person would disintegrate living in South Carolina during the summer." "Laughs in Canadian, we get up to 40 in summer and -40 in the winter," another said.

But us Brits pointed out our homes are designed to keep heat in and the conditions feel a lot more "muggy" than if it were the same temperature in the US. "Tell me you haven't been in a British heatwave without telling me," wrote one. One American who lives in the UK added: "I'm an American living in England and the heat here is hell on earth!"

One other said: "UK heat is just different you have got to be here to understand."

Speaking about how homes in the UK affect our ability to manage heat waves, one explained: "We have no air con, our homes are built to keep the heat in, we get very humid, it's not nice and we can't afford AC the energy costs are insane here!"

Adding to their point, another said: "British homes are designed to keep heat in not out. 26 outside will feel more like 32-34 inside with 85-90% humidity." Agreeing, one other added: "I'm from the UK, people don't start complaining till it hits about 32 (90). Because homes are built to hold heat and AC is rare it gets very warm indoors, especially at night making it hard to sleep."

An Australian woman said: "To be fair there homes are not built for the heat."

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Most of England is now under yellow heat health warnings from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). People are urged to stay vigilant until Thursday when the heat is anticipated to subside back to normal seasonal levels.

Pets, particularly dogs, left unattended in warm cars or taken for walks on hot days are also at risk of heatstroke. The RSPCA advises ensuring pets have access to shade and fresh drinking water to help them stay cool.

Have you been feeling the affects of the UK heat? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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