Umbrellas: Make Dance not War

Rainy Days, Umbrellas don't have to mean Battle if Users are Polite!

The word umbrella comes from the Italian for "little shadow."  The umbrella was designed to act as a “shadow” to protect people from the elements.  But on a rainy day in NYC, umbrellas can be turned into weapons in a sidewalk war!  Everything from umbrella wars, to umbrella rage, and maybe even an umbrella dance can be seen on a rainy day in the city.  Unfortunately, some streets can look like umbrella graveyards by the end of a rainstorm, so here are some great tips for umbrellas etiquette:

These are Slightly altered from Advanced Etiquette

Umbrella Etiquette:

1. Carry with Caution: Be aware of the physical space you occupy. When not in use, always hold your umbrella vertically, with the pointed end down. Do not tuck it under your arm horizontally with the ends sticking out ready to stab someone.
2. Look Both Ways Before You Open: Be mindful of who may be standing nearby when opening your umbrella. Open it with care, noticing whether your umbrella will poke someone.
3. Use the Right Size of Umbrella:  Carry an umbrella that is appropriate for your body size. Golf umbrellas are not practical for navigating city streets on a rainy day.
4. Avoid Umbrella Rage:  It’s been called “umbrella rage” as people battle on crowded streets, using their umbrellas almost like weapons. Whenever you see another person approaching, tip your umbrella away from them the other person to avoid colliding your umbrellas.
5. Dance of Umbrellas Protocol: For a taller person, when you encounter another person using an umbrella, raise your umbrella up so a shorter person may pass by without colliding with your umbrella. If you are a shorter person, lower your umbrella closer to your head. The end result is a choreographed “dance of umbrellas” down the street, each umbrella being raised or lowered in graceful motion.
6. Beware Windy Days: When the wind is so strong that your umbrella is being turned inside out, simply forget it. Tilting your umbrella into the wind only obstructs your path. Instead of an umbrella, it’s better to brave the elements in a good rain coat with a hood.  
7. Keep It Closed and Dry Inside: It is customary to close your umbrella before entering a building. Remove any excess water by gently taping the tip of the umbrella in front of the building a couple of times. The first question upon entering should be where you may place the wet umbrella to avoid further dripping. Make use of the carrying case that came with your umbrella, or the disposable plastic bags that many office buildings and stores provide, to cover your wet umbrella while indoors.
8. Park Umbrellas with Care: Be mindful of where you place your umbrella. If no umbrella stand is provided, set your umbrella upright with the tip on the floor beside you. In trains, planes, and automobiles, lay it on the floor near your feet, not on an empty seat where other people may sit on it or the puddle it leaves behind. Keep your umbrella away from walkways where someone might trip over it.
9. Label your Umbrella:  If you forget your umbrella somewhere, you may have a chance of someone returning it if you tape your telephone number and/or email address to the very top of the umbrella’s main strut above the handle.
10. Umbrella Grayeyard: If your umbrella breaks, don’t leave it for someone to trip over – or worse, for it to be blown about in the streets.  Fold it the best you can and put it in the closest garbage can.

The word umbrella comes from the Italian for "little shadow."  The umbrella was designed to act as a “shadow” to protect people from the elements.  While just about everyone uses umbrellas, it seems not everyone knows the best way to use their umbrellas!  On a rainy day in NYC you can see everything from umbrella wars, to umbrella rage, and maybe even an umbrella dance.  Unfortunately, some streets can look like umbrella graveyards by the end of a rainstorm, I found some tips from Advanced Etiquette that might save you from poking someone's eye out! 

Comments

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Just to add, if you are using an umbrella during rainy days you should be conscious of where the rain splashes. Sometimes this result to unknowingly splashing adjacent people around you.