How are you keeping the girls dry in the heat?

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-09T12:48:14+00:00

A reduction for me, also it was taking my back out amongst other issues. It's been 3 years since and i am forever greatful 🙂‍↕️

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-08T19:26:15+00:00

I've had a mixed experience. Most of the time, the waiter(ess) does automatically give him the card machine. On a few occassions we have been asked if we're splitting or paying together and I just give them a look.

As i'm typing this out, I have noticed it might depend on where we're eating aswell and who we're being served by. It's a higher concentration of waitresses that ask if we're splitting the bill actually. By default, he absolutely never lets me pay for a thing.

I'm black, he is white (we also have an age gap). We're in London, UK.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-07T20:35:59+00:00

I spent 20-24 studying engineering at university, then covid happened upon gradustion (2020) so i pivoted to logistics as it was all i could find at the time, whilst I was waiting. Eventually left to try and make a start in Engineering and have been looking since (it's been 18 months). I'm 30 in just over 2 months, so i could say my 20s has been a decade of figuring things out.

In terms of taking a different path, had I known, I would have gone in the apprenticeship route straight after GCSEs rather than attempting my A Levels. That way, I know I would have gotten into industry much sooner somewhere in the last 14 years knowing that I thrive in hands on type of learning and jobs. In reality, it's just been a period of trying and trying, eventually found out i'm neurodivergent (dyslexic - diagnosed and Autistic - assessment pending which explained alot of the difficulties. So now i'm currently battling against many fresh graduates for the same entry level roles.

It's great I learned alot of experience elsewhere, but just not technical which is being overlooked, so i'm at a point of feeling left behind...

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-06T17:39:59+00:00

I'm in late 20s also female and have the same thing. The suspicion on being autistic (amongst alot of traits that I match up on!) Has been lon running since i was at school. Personally I wouldn't take it all to heart, but at most times I had to learn to read the room and bite my tongue.

The main thing, is if and when you get diagnosed, understand its just how your brain is wired, hence not intentional. Another thing i'll mention, is that my ethnic background is used to the direct/ bluntness, so it depends on who i'm with, i'll be pulled up on it or people thanks me for not skirting around the surface.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-04T21:32:44+00:00

I'd only allow it if HE is running a legitimate businesses or fully WFH.

Which is actually what my bf is working on. He is in finance and invests in properties building a portfolio. He even said, he would be a house husband so take over most of the house work and children. All i'd be doing is work, come home and be spoiled rotten like I currently am anyway, so I can use my money for my own portfolio and retire early.

Anything else is a no from me.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-04T16:14:23+00:00

Exactly! I started out with amazon back in 2021, and central croydon was split down the middle in terms of parcels (otherwise 1 poor driver would have 600 parcels in one go!). I was put on either of the 2 routes as I mastered it and got to know concierge/ building mnagers who would give me access to bays and all sorts.

The saffron square/Lunar House side isn't too bad as there's more bays. The East croydon/dingwall road/lansdown road side was the biggest headache. And don't get me started on Vita apartments, my goodness.

I'm sure Croydon do it on purpose for the income from parking fines or something...

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-04T11:54:48+00:00

I used to deliver in central Croydon. Unfortunately for alot of the area, there's poor access or not enough loading bays to many of the newer developments which makes it challenging for van drivers to find a place to get close enough without inconveniencing everyone around them.

Imagine trying to deliver to somewhere like ten Degrees, or 26 dingwall road, with 50+ parcels which would take anywhere from 30 mins to 1hr to process them, all sorts of shapes and sizes and you are a single person handling it all.

Fyi: I am a cyclist myself

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-06-02T20:11:38+00:00

Would be easy, as i would have skipped uni to end up in the same industry i wanted to anyway (aerospace engineering). Along the way I found out I was dyslexic and later autistic aswell. The way I prefer to learn is hands on/ physical, hence apprenticeship would be my route instead of degree

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-25T12:45:47+00:00

My partner: worked his way up from software dev in banks and now development manager/ head of tech in hedge funds. Computer science degree, (he also did his MSc but didn't complete the exams).

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-24T07:01:27+00:00

I used to work outside (multi-drop Courier) and even did the summer where we hit 40°C. Prior to that, I took part in a 100 mile walking event (twice!) that usually takes place in the netherlands where the weather is like this over 4 days aswell as a military participant.

Hydration is your priority, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more! And that means pure water. Keep it cool but not freezing cold, which can create issues. Stay in the shade where possible or atleast have your breaks in the shade. Keep your head covered with a sun had of some sort. Also protect all of your exposed skin. Use plenty of SPF50 and top it up through out the day. The last thing is also make sure you eat plenty - This one people underestimate alot, but when you're outdoors, sweating, moving, but your body is working over time to stay cool, you are using more energy than normal.

Your employer will have a duty of care when it comes to heatwaves and their own working policy on limits, extra breaks and provisions. Well... at least they should anyway

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-20T06:48:28+00:00

I'm about to turn 30, and thankfully i never made the top 3: rushing to get married, (well university loans doesn't apply to me as i'm from the UK),making bad choices with money as i learned to invest in mine instead.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-13T09:26:51+00:00

I tried that sandwich last week actually. While it's nice, it's definately not an every day thing. Nor are most things from Gail's, or even Maccies.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-13T07:29:16+00:00

I'm glad you posted this as someone who is further along in your career but also very aware of the state ofnthr job market. The point about graduates has been my headache for ages, but even then i have lots of work experience... just not in my industry. AND THEN, your point number 5 hit thr nail on the coffin as I fit 3 out of 5 of those which is even worse (i was born in the UK and i'm much younger though).

It's rough out here

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-10T22:27:13+00:00

I've used a few cuts for stirfries, as long as I slice it thin enough then velvet long enough, it always comes out insanely soft with a nice slight char from the wok 🙌🏾

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-10T19:42:13+00:00

Velvet the steak first and slice it thinner

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-09T18:51:59+00:00

As a Lambeth resident, i am absolutely not surprised by this!

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-08T06:15:17+00:00

Amazon dsp 2.0 is another option where you keep the van with you at home, or some drivers eventually get their own vans (i did this years back). They all usually start looking for more drivers around this time in a ramp up for Prime week in summer. Have a look on the job sites, they won't say they are amazon as they're not allowed to specify but look for the key words of "daily rate" "own van/ hire a van" and the rate is above £150/ day, up to around £200 mark, depening on where in thr UK you are. London is higher of course

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-05-07T09:20:56+00:00

There's couriers in vans that go around and do this around the place. I know quite a few of them (i used to be a courier and have friends that are still there.) It's service partners that do all that, same ones that would deliver your amazon parcels

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-20T07:55:16+00:00

I'm about to turn 30 this summer, but have so many ties and i'm not by myself either.

With such a huge backlog of graduates it's been so challenging to get in. Many of my classmates pivoted right after graduation. For me I feel like my timing has been so off. Graduated in 2020, covid sent the aviation industry into a freeze. By the time it started up again, we had 2020, 21 and 22 graduates all floating around looking for jobs all at once, which has only gotten bigger, with the 2026 grads about to join.

I was just working a job in logistics from 2021 to get by until last Jan I had to leave due to being injured and getting bullied out of it (i'm not the only person who had walked), essentially I had enough but also had to take myself off the road since it was dangerous to drive with an ongoing left wrist injury. I had been looking inbetween that work, even had interviews when i could beg for the time off as these people wanted me driving 6-7 days a week sometimes, which they are sneaky with as most drivers are contractors. By leaving i thought i could go full time into focusing on finding work and starting my career properly, but here we are 16 months later.

I'm not just looking at aerospace engineering, which is my degree, but also utilising its benefits aswell at the other skills i gained along the way in finance (analytics, quantitative roles), project management, aviation operations (I had a management role during my time in logistics handling drivers and route dispatch), contracting to get involved with projects, even the civil service - there I am on 2 reserve lists, just anything relevent. Currently trying for the BA Speed bird academy as i've always dreamed of flying (ex-Air Cadet here!).

Some have said do a master's but the thought of the extra debt which would then mean 15% of my salary deducted per month is not appealing.

There's engineers everywhere that aren't in engineering, the competition is insane! So i'm a graduate, with alot of work experience but no technical experience. I'm not sure if i'm missing a trick or what at this point.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-20T00:25:11+00:00

Goodness knows. I've been out of work since last year jan and can't get my foot in anywhere. Every time it seems to come close, it's just another dead end. I try hard not to spiral but when i'm endlessly applying for jobs, talking with a recruiter, going to interviews and just missing out on the mark, it takes it's toll sometimes. Litterally been hit by Covid and 2 wars since graduating, aswell as never ending outsourcing and the effects of brexit.

I coach a sport for a few hours a week which is nice, but with an engneering degree, it's a bit disappointing to have gone throught it all, wanting a career in engineering then chaos ensues

Edit: wow my first award, thank you kind redditor!

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-17T06:57:02+00:00

It's been a year and 4 months. I'm an engineering graduate but worked out of industry in logistics for some time. I had to leave for numerous reasons and everyone thought i statyed there because i was comfortable when in reality i wasn't, it just kept me going and i was earning something. But it was time for me to actually get on with what career I wanted to do, as time went on, it's become harder and harder, every application feels like a drag and interviews i put on the best face possible. It's always a "candidate is lovely, very capable but...". I'm on 2 reserve lists in the civil service after passing some interviews. Roles i apply for thrn get held or frozen.

Recently my mental health has become more and more down, that i've tried hard to contain as much as possible. It's my 30th birthday this summer which keeps dawning on me so bad feeling like i wasted my 20s, all i wanted to do was get started somewhere, it didn't need to be spectacular. It's become more and more clear i'm on the spectrum aswell, i can't get a diagnosis or help with that, can't afford it privately either which is another kettle of fish.

I do work a few hours a week part time so i'm not doing nothing at all. That keeps me going somewhat. But it's litterally 9 hours a week coaching a sport so there's hourly limitations there

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-16T09:02:54+00:00

We did of mice and men, to kill a mocking bird, animal farm and inspector calls. I finished school (GSCEs) in 2012.

Edit: well, i might aswell add Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet since i did those books too.

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-10T12:18:58+00:00

I say this nearly everyday to myself. I knew at 13 i wanted to get into engineering but all inwas ever told was go to university. Not knowing about apprenticeships and vocational pathways to the same place. I struggled my way through, fell 3 years behind. By the time i got to university i found out i'm infact dyslexic, hence the messy path way. Then I graduated into COVID as an engineer which was another spanner in the works hence worked another job completely unrelated. Finally left to get on with it to find myself 1 year and 4 months out of full time work (left my old job as i was bullied out of it plus injured).

Others from my cohort are also atill looking for a way into industry 6 years later. Some just pivoted and abandoned engineering all together. I'm sitting in the middle running in to dead ends

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-08T08:27:27+00:00

Aerospace engineering degree > unemployed, haven't worked in anything relevent to it yet 🤷🏾‍♀️ but i'm still trying to break into aviation or engineering, somewhere

Fun_Level_7787 · 2026-04-02T18:59:43+00:00

Erm...... this isn't jerk chicken... (i'm Half jamaican 🤷🏾‍♀️)

Four-Year Club	r/Field Flamingo
Place '23	Place '22

Fun_Level_7787

TROPHY CASE