Umbrella-quette

When I grew up no one carried an umbrella. Of course I grew up in a red-neck city in central BC where not only does it never rain for very long….but it’s just not cool to sport one of the devices.

Then I moved to Vancouver. Who needs an umbrella, that’s what rain jackets are for. But then I started working downtown and had to walk home on Robson street every day…and I discovered that umbrellas serve another purpose.

Self Defence!

But there is an etiquette that goes along with them, and not everyone gets it. Yesterday I was waiting downtown under an awning, Kirk was on his way to pick me up. I watched a man walk down the sidewalk with a massive golf umbrella. He walked under the awning and forced an older woman to duck into the wet to avoid him.

Then I watched a woman come along with an umbrella so big it pretty much spanned the sidewalk completely. One spoke was sticking out free. It was a hazard to anyone’s eyes should they turn the wrong way at the wrong moment. Other people walking the opposite way were forced to duck out of her way or step off the sidewalk to pass.

How difficult is it to comprehend that the sidewalk is to be shared and that those without umbrellas should be afforded a little bit of courtesy?

So what would logic dictate the proper etiquette for umbrella use is? Well, these are my thoughts.

#1. If you have an umbrella…please don’t walk under the awning? Seriously…why do you need a double cover?

#2. When approaching others also sporting an umbrella the taller person should lift over and above the shorter

#3. Size is an issue. If you know you are heading to Robson Street or some other heavily populated area…don’t bring the biggest umbrella you can find. I don’t like crowds either…but an umbrella isn’t a great way to occupy more space…I’d imagine you will receive more than a few sideways remarks

#4. When you close the thing, don’t shake it all over other people’s shoes..and watch the drips on the bus

While it’s tempting to rant about the subject, someone else has already done a pretty good job here.

That Famous Vancouver Rain …..Umbrella Etiquette 101