Umbrella Etiquette in Vancouver
byThe topic of “Umbrella Etiquette” in Vancouver is a dead horse and I’m about to give it another kick. For years now bloggers have published their own “rules of umbrella use” for public spaces, streets, and walkways:
- February 6, 2004 – Craigslist – NY: Official Rules Of Inclement Weather Umbrella Etiquette (found via LucLatulippe)
- November 3, 2005 – Beyond Robson: Umbrella Etiquette
- August 9, 2006 – The Rant Trap: That famous Vancouver Rain… Umbrella etiquette 101
- September 20, 2006 – Metroblogging Vancouver: Common Sense Rules of Vancouver #2
- November 3, 2006 – Miss604: I Guess I’m Half American Now
- July 18, 2007 – Keira-Anne: The Ten Commandments
So yes, we’ve all had our share of umbrella etiquette posts, but mainsteam media’s caught up with us. News1130 has just posted their own rules for umbrella use, which echo previous statements and pet peeves:
1. Size DOES matter. Using a golf umbrella walking down Robson street will likely make you a few enemies.
2. Hold on tight. If the wind is blowin’ so is the brolly! Watch you’re not letting those pointy corners knock around your fellow pedestrians.
3. The awnings are off limits, especially is someone without one approaches. Seriously, you’ve got an umbrella.
4. The cross path ‘duck n’ lift’. Taller person raises, shorter person takes the low road.
5. Shake away from traffic. Tossing off the stowaway raindrops towards passersby only leads to awkward exchanges with your fellow man.
6. Use plain ol’ common sense. It goes a long way on a rainy day.
Any more to add to the many lists? Besides, if you’re a true Vancouverite, you’re skin and everything you wear is made of Goretex and you don’t even need to use an umbie…right? I’ll end by using a line from the Craigslist posting, “If these rules are not followed, then any fellow [Vancouverite] has the right to take your umbrella, patio or otherwise, and beat you with it.”
Update: A quote from this post appeared in the Vancouver Sun today, January 14, 2008 – here’s the article in PDF form.
18 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I hate getting hit in the head with an umbrella.. You staying dry is less important than me keeping my eye.
Maybe a bit bitchy, but I will bump into people on purpose on the sidewalk if they use a wide berth with their umbrellas or walk under the awning with a golf umbie. I have a friend who, quite literally, will grab an umbrella out of an offender’s hand and throw it down on the street.
Thank you Duane! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I remember having this exact problem while attending “Camp QE”
Umbrella? What is that? Gore-tex jacket is the way to go!
When you get on a bus with a wet umbrella, make sure it doesn’t drip on fellow transit riders.
And you’re right, I am a true Vancouverite. After yesterday’s down pour, I was at MEC today looking for a new jacket for the new season so I could do away with the umbrella.
Amen to the rules! I don’t understand why this isn’t common sense! It really shouldn’t have to be so difficult! Keira, I totally bump people who don’t obey the rules too. I usually go with a hood over an umbrella just to avoid extra conflict. I secretly love the rain and my pretty new rubber boots are going to be arriving any day now 🙂
i once had someone with an umbrella like the Penguin from the old school Batman series stop and spin it like they were tying to hypnotize me. iiiiiiiiit was a little awkward.
Are hoodies out of fashion? Who needs an umbrella when you look like a thug =D
Learned from childhood:
While walking through Chinatown, do not piss off a woman of smaller physical stature armed with an umbrella.
Who needs a stinkin’ umbrella … bre … ella … brella …
@Andrew: what? just scare off the raindrops? threaten to take their lunch money? 😛
My other guideline is, unless it’s raining hard enough that water runs down my face and into my eyes… no ‘brolley needed.
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As much as I dislike carrying an umbrella (I’d rather carry a camera), I despise wearing a hood. So it is the lesser of two evils. Plus, a hood doesn’t protect a camera very well.
I have one more umbrella no-no:
Please close your umbrella when walking through a construction scaffolding!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waxypoetic/530609181/
Another thing that should be added to umbrella etiquette; When your standing at the corner waiting to cross the road it is NOT ok to try to share someones umbrella with them – thats invasion of a personal bubble.