MY HAPPY ME {com}

The fall is officially here in full swing and so are the umbrellas on the crowded rainy city streets. So, is there such a thing as umbrella etiquette? Should we follow some umbrella rules while out there, hiding from the rain? The answer is yes. There are some simple courtesy rules you should follow to stay polite and not annoy other pedestrians with your inappropriate umbrella manners. See, a rainy, grey day does add some gloom to our moods, so by merely eliminating a couple of your bad umbrella habits you will successfully avoid those irritated looks, and make your life easier in some way.

1)    Be courteous when passing someone on a sidewalk. Some people love huge umbrellas, but they forget that their umbrellas are as wide as the sidewalk itself. If you see someone approaching you, just lift your umbrella up or sideways to avoid the umbrella collision.

2)    Do not bring your umbrella in a clothing store or an office with you. Most stores and offices have convenient umbrella stands right at the entrance door. Leave your umbrella in a vertical position and you will actually prolong its life by letting it dry before you head out back in the rain.

3)    Do not open your umbrella during sporting events. If you are heading out to a ball game, and you know that it is going to rain, make sure you dress appropriately in a wide-hooded waterproof or water-resistant jacket. There is nothing more annoying than an open umbrella in front of you that is blocking the view.

4)    Keep your umbrella upright; even if it’s windy, you need to see what is going on in front of you. Unless you have a clear, see-though umbrella, it is not ok to pretend that you are a medieval knight and your umbrella is your shield.

5)    Finally, be kind and offer to share your umbrella with someone who does not have one and is walking in the same direction as you are. It might be just a couple of blocks, but it is still a nice gesture and good karma too.

Be courteous and be kind out there and the rainy season will look a little bit brighter for everyone.