Umbrella Etiquette; how to use an umbrella to avoid being rude.
Etiquette and umbrellas?
Rude behavior surrounds us throughout every season, but in the rainy season we carry a potentially hazardous tool; the umbrella. Using an umbrella requires social skills and a little consideration for others.
Umbrella Etiquette: Here are a few things to keep in mind during umbrella season to avoid being rude:
Open: Don’t open the umbrella indoors, or stand blocking the entrance as you open it up. Open as you exit; a few drops of rain won’t melt you.
Close: Do close the umbrella as you approach the entrance, shake it out, place it in the receptacle or use the plastic bag. Don’t be that drip that leaves a slippery trail or a puddle on the seat next to you on public transportation. PS, if it stops raining, close it up.
Size does matter: Naturally I’m referring to the size of the arc. For example, a petite person does not require a “golf-size” umbrella (arc, 58″-62″), nor does the average-size person. It is too large to maneuver on city sidewalks. (Avg. arc size 43″-48″)
Passing: When passing someone of a similar height, it is advised that one of you raise your umbrella to make way.
Space: Just like with people who carry backpacks, social skills and consideration for others is required. When carrying an umbrella you are taking up more space, possibly bumping into others. Should that happen, a sincere and brief “I’m sorry.” is nice.
Multi-tasking: Don’t. Picture it, holding a coffee drink in one hand, the other hand is busy texting, while the umbrella shaft is tucked between the shoulder and neck. It is bound to flop over, plopping atop someone’s head.
Sharing: Should you? Why not? It’s a nice gesture to share an umbrella with the sopping wet passerby. The tricky part is when two people are of different heights; one person, usually the shorter of the two, gets only partial cover.
For a visual of similar tips, click on the link below to watch Stanley Robert’s segment on “People Behaving Badly.”
http://kron4.com/2017/02/08/people-behaving-badly-dont-poke-someones-eye-out-with-your-umbrella/
SOCIAL SKILLS LEADS TO SUCCESS, BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, AND A MORE LIKABLE PERSONALITY
I’m Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, Social Skills and Civility Speaker/Presenter, Media Source, and author of “Don’t Burp in the Boardroom.”
I offer presentations to support HR policies, sales team, managers, as part of the new-hire orientation process, in-home technicians, professional development events, conferences, college/university students, interns. For more information, please contact me.
photo source: juulzgrand
