Proper Umbrella Etiquette
Your umbrella is an anti-rain device, not a weapon. Modern Manners Guy on the proper use of umbrellas
Richie Frieman
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This next topic came to me from Jane B., a Manhattan school teacher who takes the subway to work every day. Â On rainy days, she says that people get pretty crazy about their umbrellas, especially in tight, enclosed places like busy sidewalks with thousands of people rushing to work and the cramped-like-sardines subways of New York City.Â
No one likes having to travel in the rain – especially if you’re walking. So when you use your umbrella, keep in mind that the small space you occupy on a normal day is now doubled (or even tripled) due to the diameter of your umbrella. Just a simple calculation would show that this creates less room for everyone else. So here are the three rules to live by when using an umbrella:Â
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Mind the Gap!
No, not the store. This saying about watching your step on the subway comes courtesy of my friends across the pond. And it’s an important one to remember. Once you make it into the station, put your umbrella down. It’s pretty clear that you don’t need it once you are indoors and especially in the subways where people are always in a hurry. You need to make the most room for everyone else, so putting down your umbrella right away is key.
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Watch the Shake
When you shake off your umbrella, do it pointing downward rather than to the side – where someone most likely will be standing – or above you. No one wants to have extra water sprayed on them because you need to dry off your umbrella.
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It’s an Umbrella, Not a Sword
Has this ever happened to you? You’re walking innocently down the street when someone in front of you stops short, turns around, and all of a sudden you are jabbed – or stabbed – with their umbrella. If they’re nice or have paid attention to Modern Manners Guy, they’ll apologize for spearing you. But most likely they will be more focused on what they turned around for. And this is like dominos. One person turns around, freaks out the person behind them, they jolt back to dodge the point, and the person behind them is affected. And right down the line. Try to remember that you and your umbrella are not alone in the universe.
Have you ever experienced bad umbrella etiquette? Sound off in comments below.
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Image courtesy of Shutterstock.Â