 As
record-setting rains continue to fall past my window
this Spring, let’s all hope the old
saying is true, that “April showers,
bring May flowers.” Watching
a sea of umbrellas pass by has inspired these April
tips for the few rainy days still yet to come. Look
for tips
on flower etiquette coming in May.
-
Use
the Right Umbrella: Being barely 5 feet 2 inches,
can you imagine
me walking down the street trying to hold
and balance a large golf umbrella? Neither can I! Carry
an umbrella that is appropriate for your use and proportionate
to your body size. There is no rule saying you can’t
own more than one umbrella: a small one for your use
alone and a larger version when you are
walking together
with another
person.
-
Avoid
Umbrella Rage: They say it’s a jungle out
there on the streets … and rainy days are even worse.
Some call it “umbrella rage” as children and
adults alike do battle on crowded streets, using their
umbrellas as the weapon of choice. Whenever you see another
person
approaching, tip your umbrella away from them the other
person to avoid colliding your umbrellas. Be sensitive
to how the
metal or plastic points sticking out at every fold may
poke someone in the body or, worse, in the eye. Rain or
shine,
utilize just half the width of the sidewalk when walking
in a group, so others can easily pass by. Depending on
how wide the sidewalk is no more than two or three people
should
ever walk abreast.
-
Learn
the Dance of Umbrellas: 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. Likewise, if you are a shorter person,
lower your umbrella closer to your head. The end result
is a well choreographed “dance of umbrellas” down
the street, each umbrella being raised or lowered in
graceful motion, avoiding all conflicts, collisions, and
pokes in
the eye.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Carry
Cautiously: It continues to amaze me how oblivious people
are about the physical space they 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.
-
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.
-
Just
Enjoy Windy Days: When the wind is so strong that your
umbrella
is in jeopardy of being turned inside out,
simply forget it. Tilting your umbrella into the wind only
obstructs your forward vision and, more times than not,
doesn’t
help much, anyway. Rather, brave the elements in a good
rain coat with a hood. Try to remember that a little water
never
hurt anyone (except, of course, the Wicked Witch of the
West).
BONUS: Prevent
Umbrella Loss: Folks at any lost-and-found department
will
tell you they have hundreds of unclaimed
umbrellas in storage. 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,
where it will least likely get wet and come loose.
Although we always
need rain, here’s to dryer days
when we can enjoy the May flowers we will be discussing next
month.
Happy
Practicing!
To
view our past Etiquette Tips of the Month, please
choose a topic below:
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