The Ups and Downs of Umbrellas

It’s a dismal rainy day in Hobart today so I’ve had my umbrella out a fair bit.

But I’ve struck a problem.When is it necessary to put your umbrella down? Or when is it okay to leave it up?

Inside a building? Easy. Yes, down it goes.

Briefly walking under a single shop awning? It’s dry for a second, but probably okay to leave it up.

What about several shop awnings that form continuous rain protection for several metres? Do you leave it up knowing you will shortly encounter more rain on the other side?

At what length does shop awning coverage mean you look like a twat for leaving your umbrella up for so long when it’s clearly dry?

The shop awning quandary is complicated further by the arrival of sideways rain. In that case, it’s okay to leave your umbrella up to protect yourself, regardless of shop awning length.

What about a roadway underpass? It’s raining either side, why not just keep your umbrella up? Do people walk past thinking, “What a twat; it’s not raining inside the underpass, but he’s got his umbrella up”?

Society needs some clearer rules on this one. How about some signage:

This could be placed at the entrance of suitably long underpasses such that no one is left wondering whether umbrella up or down is appropriate. Brilliant.