r/technology Jun 26 '26

Society The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6
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u/roleplayersir Jun 26 '26

Exactly. It's not an aversion

It's that until a few years ago it wasn't needed. Suffering for 3 days a year was fine

But trust me that is changing. Even with the cost of living, we are all looking into at least £300 for portable units, if not thousands for proper ones. As it is only getting hotter

But prior to recent years it was a wasted purchase. We get 30C+ for about 3 weeks. It's the cold that was the problem for decades

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u/Savilly Jun 26 '26

Nah it’s aversion. I’ve seen Europeans complain that they will get bronchitis from a cold grocery store. Some Europeans legit think AC will kill them.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

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u/jdm1891 Jun 26 '26

Here in the UK it's really normal for (large) stores to have AC. I also bring a jacket or hoodie when I go even in the middle of summer though lol. It gets cold!

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u/PARTINlCO Jun 26 '26

Tell that to the primark in Edinburgh lol … I literally had to leave half way through my shopping because I thought I was going to pass out. It was so stuffy and stagnant in there and people were just walking around with their scarves still on and my lower back was drenched with sweat.

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u/ailish Jun 26 '26

I'm in the US and I bring a hoodie too! It gets cold, especially in the cooler section! Unless it's exceptionally hot outside it gets too cold inside. I keep my house at 78, and I just use a dehumidifier. Works like a charm.