Nothing Screams Upstate New York Like ‘Shorts in Winter Guy’

Never Too Cold for Shorts?

The other night, while stopped at a gas station in Albany, a man exited his car and started pumping in the sub-freezing temps next to me. He was a burly man in his mid-40s wearing a Buffalo Bills hoodie and Nike athletic shorts.

We all know one guy (it's never, ever a woman) who wears shorts year-round, even in the cold.  Who is he? I think I have the answer.  Please tell me if you agree.

I was cold, and this was quickly turning into the most torturous three minutes of my life, but he didn't look bothered by the conditions. The shorts-in-winter guy appeared to be thriving. You have to love him!

Who is This Person?

A shorts-in-winter guy bats 4th on your softball team and orders a pitcher or two of beer before everyone arrives at the bar and 50 hot chicken wings to get the party started.

He also is the best darn little league coach you've ever had, throws the best Super Bowl party east of Vegas, has bowled a perfect game, loves his local high school football team, is deathly loyal to his employer, and, of course, his family and won't go near any food proud to be "meatless."  He would rather starve than eat tofu.

The Guy We All Want to Be, and More!

He likes Joe Rogan, loves to scare the kiddies at Halloween, despises veggies on his pizza, and shovels all the elderly neighbor's driveways without being asked.

Shorts-in-winter guy drinks .99 cent coffee, likes classic rock and country, but also appreciates 90s Hip Hop and might get down with some Taylor Swift at a wedding.  The same wedding where he's more than likely the absolute star on the dance floor with his "I don't give a sh*t dance moves."

Oh, and he's not too pleased about the recent lawn chair policy at his favorite concert venue.

In other words, he's the guy we all want to be and more.

So next time you see a guy wearing shorts in winter, don't look at him funny or ask if he's freezing. Instead, applaud him for doing things his way and maybe ask him to buy coffee—just not Starbucks.