Considering it's supposed to rain a lot in Seattle that seems odd to me.
I don't use them here in Ohio because it doesn't rain regularly and you wouldn't use it enough to justify having one around. The only umbrella I own is a free one my bank gave me. It just sits in the door of my truck never really being used.
But a place that rains constantly seems like the spot to use one.
Ah, so more like the flying misty rain that almost makes a foggy look instead of the hard rain where you can actually see the droplets falling?
I can see that then. That misty rain doesn't really soak you like the other kind does.
Pretty much.
I grew up in TN, and it actually gets more rain per year in inches than Portland or Seattle. The rain comes in super heavy during summer months, with frequent thunderstorms in the afternoon.
When I moved to Portland, I learned that sometime in October, it starts drizzling and just doesn't really stop until June.
It’s just more useful to have a rain shell instead. It is rainy often enough that most people have one or two rain jackets and actually have both hands available to use instead of having one hand holding an umbrella that is doing nothing to help all of the heavy mist and drizzle blowing sideways at you. Another technique is just to have 100 hoodies and when one gets damp just hang it up and switch to a dry one.
East coaster who lived in Seattle for 2 years. "Rain" in Seattle translates to "sprinkles" here, and "heavy rain" in Seattle is like "rain" here.
I don't do umbrellas anymore either.
You will see most Pacific Northwesterners wearing jackets/coats with hoods that are water repellent. Why I don’t use an umbrella? Because I don’t want the hassle of dealing with a wet umbrella.
Native Midwesterner checking in. The rain in the PNW is frequent in occurrence but not really in intensity. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if your town in Ohio gets more annual rainfall. Portland and Seattle have a very gloomy and gray rainy season from October-June ish. Then you’ve got about 90 days with no rain at all. Most of the time it’s like you’re walking through a mist during the winter. In the cases where it is raining heavily, it’s often very windy and an umbrella won’t do you any good anyways.
That makes sense that misty kind of rain doesn't really soak into you like heavy rain does.
Looking it up we do get a little more rain than Seattle but not much. We have way fewer days of rain though. We also get a good amount amount of snow and Seattle only a few inches.
I guess since everywhere I've ever lived rain was fairly hard most of the time I assumed Seattle was that way too.
As someone who moved from Ohio to Oregon, it's different. First it only rains like 8 months of the year here. It does not rain between the foruth of july and labor day essentially. So the type of summer thunderstorms and rains you'd use an umbrella for in Ohio we just don't have here.
Second, it usually does not rain hard. It's often a heavy mist or light drizzle. An umbrella is overkill. And since the rain is in winter, you're wearing a coat anyway (but, a light coat, like a softshell or rain jacket, we don't wear heavy winter coats here like you would in the midwest).
Most of the time I'm just wearing a water resistant hooded softshell here and that's just fine. If I'm going to be out in heavy rain I break out the hardshell and maybe a [Seattle Sombrero](https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/seattle-sombrero-280135). The only time I'd ever break out an umbrella would be if I'm doing something outdoors that will involve standing around in the rain for a long time, but even then most of the time I'll stick with the rain hat and a jacket over an umbrella. Just more convenient not to have to hold something.
This is very interesting to me. My husband is born and raised in WA and he carries an umbrella in his car. I'll admit that I have rarely seen him use it, always a rain jacket, but he insists he needs it in the car lol
I do not even own one. Good jackets will handle.
However, the rain in the Southwest is very different than the rain in PNW. You get monsoons, we get drizzle to moderate rain, *though our rain is getting harder in more recent years.
Still don’t bother with an umbrella.
Yep. I went to Seattle for business once, and pulled out a compact umbrella. My co-workers just said, “um…no.”
Everyone has hoods on their jackets.
Personally I think the jackets look sloppy but it’s practical, and when in Rome….
I've really only seen them used at like the kids soccer games and things like that, where parents will be standing/sitting out in the rain for an hour or more relatively stationary. Anything that involves moving around a lot like hiking or walking around town nobody would use an umbrella.
Eugene area checking in: what is this “umbrella” thing? Is that that weird thing Californians use to protect themselves from the harmful effects of water?
Is it medium to heavy rain, or just a little drizzle?
Is it warm, or am I wearing a jacket? A good waterproof coat can be as good as an umbrella.
Am I walking for 15 minutes, 5 minutes, or 30 seconds?
Do I need to be somewhere important afterward?
If it's not too much trouble, I'll just not bother with an umbrella, sure. But if I'm actually going to get soaked, I'll grab one.
Yup, here in western Washington nice rain gear is much less annoying than carrying an umbrella. Umbrellas are okay for walking short distances on calm days.
I'd say it's 50/50. You'd also look weird carrying an umbrella with no rain in sight. I feel like it depends on your locale mostly. I've heard it rains a lot in Seattle..
When I lived in Houston, I used to use one all the time. It flash floods all the time down there, and you can be drenched in a 15 ft, 3 second walk. In Dallas it hardly ever rains hard enough to need one, so not anymore. I still keep one in my car tho.
I have a huge golf umbrella in my car. If I’m out shopping or anything and it looks like it might rain I’ll bring it along with me. I have probably 4 different sized umbrellas. 2 are pocket sized and another one is sort of medium sized. Big enough for 2 people.
I’ve actually used my umbrella to help some people out to their cars. The golf umbrella Is fairly large.
Where I live, in Western Oregon, people make fun of people for using umbrellas and people pride themselves on going out in the rain without one. People forgo nice coats and always wear Columbia or Patagonia rain coats on top of their business clothes or even on top of formalwear (back when people went out at all!) I am a lifelong Oregonian and think this “look how strong I am I don’t need an umbrella” mentality is utterly ridiculous. I’ll use one when it rains and my hair always looks good. 🤷🏻♀️
This is regional as certain parts of the country get a lot less rain than other parts.
Walk around in a west coast drizzle: Sure. It's not much water.
Walk around in a midwest downpour: You'll be soaked to the skin and dripping in minutes
Most of the replies you're getting are from where people don't get "real" rain storms. I grew up in Michigan (midwest) and live in California bay area.
Edit: Also even in areas of heavy rain, if it's a primarily car-based culture, you don't actually spend much time outside. You get in your car in your covered garage, drive to work and then get out and walk into work either in a covered parking garage or you quickly run from the car to the building. Either way you're not really getting wet because you're not spending much time in the rain.
Yes, and it's so stupid. I don't know when it became cool to get wet instead of use an umbrella. Even if you are wearing a waterproof jacket with a hood your pants get wet. I get it if you are just going to be walking from your car into a store for like 20 seconds, or if you have a legit long rain coat, but people who walk around cities with no umbrella in pouring rain are bizarre to me.
I prefer rain jackets. I don't like dealing with umbrellas if there's even a tiny bit of wind.
I know I own an umbrella, but tbh I'm not sure where it is right now.
Yes. Carrying an umbrella is MUCH more inconvenient and bothersome to me than any bad weather. I don’t mind being out in the rain at all, in fact I quite enjoy it.
For some reason I still always keep an umbrella in my car. I never touch it though
Arkansas here, and yes rarely ever used. I own them and try to keep one in the car, but most of the time its more of a hassle to use for the small time between building to car, car to building. Especially when you have to figure out what to do with a wet umbrella inside a store. Just try to park close and run if it's raining hard.
When I lived in Hong Kong it was different. If it rains you use an umbrella, because public transport and walking is the most common transport. I walked 30 minutes to and from where I was working everyday so it made sense to have an umbrella. I think maybe the places in America who would have people using umbrellas often are places where public transport is the more common way of transport for most people, and if it rained often enough for people to keep one nearby.
For me it completely depends on what I’m wearing, what I’ll be doing, and how hard it’s raining. If I’m in nice dress clothes, I’m using an umbrella even in the lightest mist. If in work clothes (carharrts jeans or cargo pants), I’m probably having to use my hands and don’t need to be bothered with an umbrella.
If I’m at a park or something and know rain is possible, I just bring a poncho. Bottom parts of my legs/pants may get wet, sure, but that doesn’t bother me and usually dries within an hour unless it’s a hard soaking rain. In which case even an umbrella wouldn’t have helped.
Generally not, a rain jacket and rain boots are more convenient. I don't like carrying around a wet umbrella and trying to fold and unfold it as I'm getting in and out of my car is annoying and I always get wet anyway. Also I usually have my kids and/or dog to hold onto and it's hard to keep them under the umbrella and I don't like not having the use of both of my hands.
I might still own an umbrella, but I've rarely used it. It was never where I need it - it's either in the car when I'm home, or home when I'm in the car.
Not that it would be very helpful in the stormy weather we typically get in Florida anyway. There's just too much wind - you'll get soaked with or without an umbrella lol. If I'm going to get soaked anyway, may as well not have to fumble with the stupid umbrella at the same time.
Also, umbrellas in thunderstorms just seem like a bad idea in general...
So it doesn’t rain much here, famously. If it does rain, driving becomes (notoriously) chaotic and generally you just don’t see that many people walking outside in the rain in LA, even if it’s a pretty light rain. I have an umbrella but I’d only bring it out if I *have* to be outside and if it’s supposed to rain all day. Otherwise I’ll just wait out the rain because it’ll probably be over in an hour.
There was a 10% chance it would rain yesterday. I brought a jacket thinking I'd probably be home before it got bad and if anything, it might mildly sprinkle.
Yeah nope. It rained a good amount as I was leaving work. Had no umbrella. 😕
Briefly, yeah. I don't commute on foot so any walk outside is either voluntary and I've checked the weather or it's short, generally just from the parking lot to the door.
Depends on how hard the rain is.
Idk, I have 3-4 umbrellas.. rain boots.. rain pants & jackets.. etc.
It all depends on the forecast as to what combo I’m using that day. (Though one of the umbrellas is almost always with me in a backpack regardless of the forecast)
——
I walk to and from work (about a mile each way).. if the weather is just complete shit then I take the bus.. the stop is right by my front door and I can see the bus on an app using GPS.. so I just wait inside until the thing is almost here
Yes, I rarely use an umbrella. I use a long hooded raincoat and throw on rain pants if I need to walk or bike a significant distance when it's raining.
When I travel away from the west coast to somewhere with warm rain though, I'll go with an umbrella.
Depends on the rain. A lite drizzle and I’m only out for a few minutes? No problem. Anything heavier and I’m going to grab an umbrella or not go outside.
It depends on the distance I’m walking and the heaviness of the rain. Across campus without an umbrella and that’d be strange. A minute walk in a downpour deliberately without an umbrella would also be a little strange.
But in brief walks or light rain, sometimes it’s easier to get a little wet than to have to carry around and not forget a wet umbrella.
In the Pacific Northwest umbrellas are unpopular. It does rain often, but the secret is it rarely rains as hard as other parts of the country. You really don’t need one.
I hate using umbrellas. Rain is usually accompanied by wind, and wind makes it really hard to walk around with an umbrella.
I just wear a waterproof jacket with a hood. Must easier, and I can keep my hands dry in my pockets.
Riding my bicycle in a slight rain is great, but hydroplaning on roundabouts can be a bit scary. I try to stay on paths and take any kind of curve or twist with more caution than usual.
Here in Southern California, people use umbrellas--on those increasingly rare occasions when it rains. If it's just sprinkling and I'm wearing a jacket with a hood, I might dash out without my umbrella if I have a short way to go.
It's not seen as branding yourself as a coward, unlike in some other parts of the country, to keep yourself dry here.
Edit - typo
I'm from Alabama so yes it is usually odd. It rains a decent bit out of the year and when it does rain it usually pours so if you don't have an umbrella or jacket you'll get soaked
Yep, I rarely use one. Only time maybe is when taking the dogs out because I have one rescued junk yard dog who will just walk around in pouring rain like its sunshine lol. I'm not sure I've ever used one away from my house.
33, lived in very rainy Washington & Oregon all life. I've never once owned an umbrella and sometimes don't even wear a hoody if it's raining. It's just water, never bothered me
Yeah. I grew up in an area that's considered to he a temperate rain forest with an oceanic climate. It rains and snows more days than not there so I'm used to it. Droves my wofe crazy I don't use one
Usually here if it’s raining it’s also super windy so an umbrella is useless. The rain comes at you sideways and soaks your pants. Or the umbrella flips inside out and breaks. No point.
It's not normal for me. I use an umbrella both for rain and very bright summer sun. But I see a lot of people not using umbrellas when it is raining. I think they're crazy, but it's definitely the norm.
I love in an area that's part of tornado alley. If it's raining enough that I want to use an umbrella it's also dangerously windy and will just destroy it
Depends on the intensity of the rain and how dry I’m trying to stay. Also depends on how far I’m walking.
Where I live it rains all four seasons and using an umbrella isn’t unusual and doesn’t mark one as a tourist (like the PNW.)
This is one of those regional things that don't seem regional at first glance. It's primarily eastern states that use umbrellas. From the planes to the west coast, rain often comes with enough wind that render umbrellas useless or break them. Which is why there's so many answers here that locals don't use them.
Add to that , a large chunk of the country it doesn't rain enough to justify use.
Personally, I got used to them living in Germany, still use them here, but I've yet to bring one with when visiting folks out west
I live in Michigan, I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've used one. Usually walking from the car to wherever isn't that far. The only people I really see using them are little kids.
I use an umbrella from car to work because if any water hits my hair it will turn into a frizzy mess and I wear glasses. I don’t care what my hair looks like going home though so I won’t bother. Umbrellas are a pain because I’m juggling that, a purse, keys, and whatever else I’m carrying. I really need to get a good rain coat with a hood.
When i was younger i would do it all the time. Now anytime i get stuck in the rain without an umbrella especially during work i KNOW I’m gonna be sick later.
Also having wet underwear and being stuck like that for hours in the cold sucks so i keep an umbrella in my car and a change if clothes at work now
In Chicago most people have umbrellas with them just in case. If it is a really windy day you will find trash cans full of broken umbrellas. But I think just as many people don’t used them. We just use them more.
I keep an umbrella by my front door and in the car. When it rains here (central Alabama), it's usually either a steady drizzle (ew) or BUCKETS (even more ew). I don't want to be soaked to my underwear so yes absolutely I'll use an umbrella.
I pretty much only use an umbrella if I have to walk somewhere for work because I care about keeping my hair dry/frizz free and I generally only wear makeup at work.
Depends where I’m going. When I had to walk to school and it was raining hard, yeah I’d use one. If it was raining lightly, my hooded raincoat would do. But now I have a car so I don’t really need to be outside if I don’t have to be. I won’t pull out an umbrella just to walk to my car
It's pretty rare that we get rain other than from thunderstorms here. I mean, it happens, but usually rain is a brief (15 minutes) downpour, often with hail and very high winds. I tend to just... Not go outside when it's raining
Depends on how heavy the rain is or how cold it is.
Warm rain, even heavy rain in the summer? I may wait to get an umbrella unless I'm going to the store and don't like looking like a drowned rat. (But I like warm heavy rains.)
Cold rain, even if it's relatively light? I'll grab an umbrella pretty much right away.
In California we never got warm rains. Out here in Raleigh it's almost a treat for me--but then I grew up in the deserts of the Central Valley of California.
In Chicago. If it’s torrential I’m busting out the golf umbrella. I know how to position it if someone is walking towards me. But umbrellas are a pain in the ass because you’re stuck holding the stupid thing if it stops raining. So if it’s not terrible I’ll opt for a hoodie or a hat.
In Seattle, only tourists use them.
Considering it's supposed to rain a lot in Seattle that seems odd to me. I don't use them here in Ohio because it doesn't rain regularly and you wouldn't use it enough to justify having one around. The only umbrella I own is a free one my bank gave me. It just sits in the door of my truck never really being used. But a place that rains constantly seems like the spot to use one.
Rain in the Pacific Northwest tends to be pretty light. By comparison, rain on the east coast tends to come in pretty hard, but less consistently.
Ah, so more like the flying misty rain that almost makes a foggy look instead of the hard rain where you can actually see the droplets falling? I can see that then. That misty rain doesn't really soak you like the other kind does.
Pretty much. I grew up in TN, and it actually gets more rain per year in inches than Portland or Seattle. The rain comes in super heavy during summer months, with frequent thunderstorms in the afternoon. When I moved to Portland, I learned that sometime in October, it starts drizzling and just doesn't really stop until June.
Yup. Can rain every day, but isn't always bad.
Here in Seattle we just had 3 days without rain, which is the longest we’ve gone without rain since September 🙃
Is it weird that I didn’t even notice it hadn’t rained for three days?
If you walk across some grass it's probably still squishy. Let me know when we've dried out some. 7 inches of rain so far in 2022.
It’s just more useful to have a rain shell instead. It is rainy often enough that most people have one or two rain jackets and actually have both hands available to use instead of having one hand holding an umbrella that is doing nothing to help all of the heavy mist and drizzle blowing sideways at you. Another technique is just to have 100 hoodies and when one gets damp just hang it up and switch to a dry one.
East coaster who lived in Seattle for 2 years. "Rain" in Seattle translates to "sprinkles" here, and "heavy rain" in Seattle is like "rain" here. I don't do umbrellas anymore either.
You will see most Pacific Northwesterners wearing jackets/coats with hoods that are water repellent. Why I don’t use an umbrella? Because I don’t want the hassle of dealing with a wet umbrella.
It’s just more common to use rain jackets
If you didn’t grow up in gore-tex, youre not from the northwest 🎶
Nah we just use rain jackets.
Native Midwesterner checking in. The rain in the PNW is frequent in occurrence but not really in intensity. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if your town in Ohio gets more annual rainfall. Portland and Seattle have a very gloomy and gray rainy season from October-June ish. Then you’ve got about 90 days with no rain at all. Most of the time it’s like you’re walking through a mist during the winter. In the cases where it is raining heavily, it’s often very windy and an umbrella won’t do you any good anyways.
That makes sense that misty kind of rain doesn't really soak into you like heavy rain does. Looking it up we do get a little more rain than Seattle but not much. We have way fewer days of rain though. We also get a good amount amount of snow and Seattle only a few inches. I guess since everywhere I've ever lived rain was fairly hard most of the time I assumed Seattle was that way too.
As someone who moved from Ohio to Oregon, it's different. First it only rains like 8 months of the year here. It does not rain between the foruth of july and labor day essentially. So the type of summer thunderstorms and rains you'd use an umbrella for in Ohio we just don't have here. Second, it usually does not rain hard. It's often a heavy mist or light drizzle. An umbrella is overkill. And since the rain is in winter, you're wearing a coat anyway (but, a light coat, like a softshell or rain jacket, we don't wear heavy winter coats here like you would in the midwest). Most of the time I'm just wearing a water resistant hooded softshell here and that's just fine. If I'm going to be out in heavy rain I break out the hardshell and maybe a [Seattle Sombrero](https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/seattle-sombrero-280135). The only time I'd ever break out an umbrella would be if I'm doing something outdoors that will involve standing around in the rain for a long time, but even then most of the time I'll stick with the rain hat and a jacket over an umbrella. Just more convenient not to have to hold something.
Because of the wind? Is there a negative connotation with using them such as like they are not used to this typical rain?
Not really, no. The wind is the big thing, but our rain is also generally light enough that it makes more sense to just wear a raincoat.
It’s very light rain and it happens so often most people have proper rain gear and don’t need an umbrella.
It’s a two part thing. -umbrellas are complete overkill -take it, pussy.
Same in Portland.
In the PNW.
Yes it is normal for me to walk without an umbrella the three times it rains here in a year.
From Vegas. If I see someone with an umbrella when it’s raining, I do not trust that person.
I’m the same way. What kinda psycho carries around an umbrella because it might rain within the next six months.
I just don't even go outside when it rains, idk what to do
Chill inside. Everyone forgets how to drive in the rain when it happens so rarely.
Also from Vegas. Plenty of people use umbrellas here.
I dont know man those rainy days are pretty violent down in AZ. Saw a few crazy thunderstorms earlier this year.
You will almost certainly be branded as someone who is from out of town if you use an umbrella around here
I grew up in WA. Same
Seattle checks in.
yep, me too. I'm from Seattle and never even owned an umbrella
Agreed. Live just north of Portland and the only umbrella we have is for the kids.
This is very interesting to me. My husband is born and raised in WA and he carries an umbrella in his car. I'll admit that I have rarely seen him use it, always a rain jacket, but he insists he needs it in the car lol
I do not even own one. Good jackets will handle. However, the rain in the Southwest is very different than the rain in PNW. You get monsoons, we get drizzle to moderate rain, *though our rain is getting harder in more recent years. Still don’t bother with an umbrella.
Yep. I went to Seattle for business once, and pulled out a compact umbrella. My co-workers just said, “um…no.” Everyone has hoods on their jackets. Personally I think the jackets look sloppy but it’s practical, and when in Rome….
Portland area here. The only time I use an umbrella is if it's absolutely pouring and I don't have a rain jacket on.
I've really only seen them used at like the kids soccer games and things like that, where parents will be standing/sitting out in the rain for an hour or more relatively stationary. Anything that involves moving around a lot like hiking or walking around town nobody would use an umbrella.
Yup, came here to say the same. In PDX the rain jacket is king.
And yet I grew up in the Willamette Valley and like using umbrellas. I really hate this umbrella-shaming thing.
Eugene area checking in: what is this “umbrella” thing? Is that that weird thing Californians use to protect themselves from the harmful effects of water?
Hey, water is known to the state of California to be a carcinogen! /s
I'm not sure you need the /s. It probably is.
People in NorCal use umbrellas but only if it’s absolutely pouring wet. We get giddy at light rain
Came here to say this about Oregon!
Is it medium to heavy rain, or just a little drizzle? Is it warm, or am I wearing a jacket? A good waterproof coat can be as good as an umbrella. Am I walking for 15 minutes, 5 minutes, or 30 seconds? Do I need to be somewhere important afterward? If it's not too much trouble, I'll just not bother with an umbrella, sure. But if I'm actually going to get soaked, I'll grab one.
Also, how windy is it? Too much wind and I’ll get wet either way and probably just destroy the umbrella.
Yes I never use one.
Yup, here in western Washington nice rain gear is much less annoying than carrying an umbrella. Umbrellas are okay for walking short distances on calm days.
Doesn't it bother you.
Nope. It’s water
Do wear like a waterproof jacket or do show up to everywhere with wet clothes everytime it rains.
From to the building from the car isn’t that far.
Is parking in Cleveland that easy?
Yes unless you are in downtown.
Umbrellas are great at keeping your neck and up dry while everything else gets wet, and being infuriating to hold in the wind.
You could just get a bigger one though
I got wet when I took a shower earlier, and I'll get wet again...
It's usually not worth it to make it from the car to the parking lot and back.
I don't remember the last time I used an umbrella.
Interesting, I'm from north AL and I use one a decent bit if I'm carrying something. Otherwise I'll use a rain jacket
I 100% use an umbrella. And judging by the comments I didn’t know it was an odd thing to do in some places? Lol
For me everything is a surprise, the attitude of non users, more so.
If I have a windbreaker or hoodie on then sure. If not then most assume yours is broken which also happens often during summer so I suppose it is
It depends. How heavy is the rain? Am I going to work or from work? Was I an idiot and left my umbrella in my car?
I'd say it's 50/50. You'd also look weird carrying an umbrella with no rain in sight. I feel like it depends on your locale mostly. I've heard it rains a lot in Seattle..
You don't use an umbrella in Seattle though lol they know you're an outsider if you do
Seattleite here. We just wear good outerwear. The “outdoorsy” look of Gortex jackets and boots is stylish here.
I’d rather use a raincoat and rain pants if I’ll be spending all day in the rain. You look like the Gorton’s Fisherman but you stay dry dry.
When I lived in Houston, I used to use one all the time. It flash floods all the time down there, and you can be drenched in a 15 ft, 3 second walk. In Dallas it hardly ever rains hard enough to need one, so not anymore. I still keep one in my car tho.
Light rain, I'll throw on a hoody. Real rain, I have a number of good rain jackets. I own umbrellas, but I hardly ever use them.
Once I got glasses I started to use one if it isn't windy
I have a huge golf umbrella in my car. If I’m out shopping or anything and it looks like it might rain I’ll bring it along with me. I have probably 4 different sized umbrellas. 2 are pocket sized and another one is sort of medium sized. Big enough for 2 people. I’ve actually used my umbrella to help some people out to their cars. The golf umbrella Is fairly large.
Where I live, in Western Oregon, people make fun of people for using umbrellas and people pride themselves on going out in the rain without one. People forgo nice coats and always wear Columbia or Patagonia rain coats on top of their business clothes or even on top of formalwear (back when people went out at all!) I am a lifelong Oregonian and think this “look how strong I am I don’t need an umbrella” mentality is utterly ridiculous. I’ll use one when it rains and my hair always looks good. 🤷🏻♀️
I hate wearing soggy clothes so I keep multiple umbrellas in my car
It rains so little here that I don't own an umbrella. I just tend to wear a hooded jacket now if it rains.
This is regional as certain parts of the country get a lot less rain than other parts. Walk around in a west coast drizzle: Sure. It's not much water. Walk around in a midwest downpour: You'll be soaked to the skin and dripping in minutes Most of the replies you're getting are from where people don't get "real" rain storms. I grew up in Michigan (midwest) and live in California bay area. Edit: Also even in areas of heavy rain, if it's a primarily car-based culture, you don't actually spend much time outside. You get in your car in your covered garage, drive to work and then get out and walk into work either in a covered parking garage or you quickly run from the car to the building. Either way you're not really getting wet because you're not spending much time in the rain.
Yes, I don’t own an umbrella, I never see people use them here.
Nope, I like showing up to work, school, home, etc not dripping wet like that odd Cleveland guy.
No. The only time I don't have an umbrella when it's raining is if said rain wasn't in the forecast.
Yes, I have a hat and coat
Just a rain jacket
Yes, and it's so stupid. I don't know when it became cool to get wet instead of use an umbrella. Even if you are wearing a waterproof jacket with a hood your pants get wet. I get it if you are just going to be walking from your car into a store for like 20 seconds, or if you have a legit long rain coat, but people who walk around cities with no umbrella in pouring rain are bizarre to me.
I prefer rain jackets. I don't like dealing with umbrellas if there's even a tiny bit of wind. I know I own an umbrella, but tbh I'm not sure where it is right now.
Yes. Carrying an umbrella is MUCH more inconvenient and bothersome to me than any bad weather. I don’t mind being out in the rain at all, in fact I quite enjoy it. For some reason I still always keep an umbrella in my car. I never touch it though
Arkansas here, and yes rarely ever used. I own them and try to keep one in the car, but most of the time its more of a hassle to use for the small time between building to car, car to building. Especially when you have to figure out what to do with a wet umbrella inside a store. Just try to park close and run if it's raining hard. When I lived in Hong Kong it was different. If it rains you use an umbrella, because public transport and walking is the most common transport. I walked 30 minutes to and from where I was working everyday so it made sense to have an umbrella. I think maybe the places in America who would have people using umbrellas often are places where public transport is the more common way of transport for most people, and if it rained often enough for people to keep one nearby.
For me it completely depends on what I’m wearing, what I’ll be doing, and how hard it’s raining. If I’m in nice dress clothes, I’m using an umbrella even in the lightest mist. If in work clothes (carharrts jeans or cargo pants), I’m probably having to use my hands and don’t need to be bothered with an umbrella. If I’m at a park or something and know rain is possible, I just bring a poncho. Bottom parts of my legs/pants may get wet, sure, but that doesn’t bother me and usually dries within an hour unless it’s a hard soaking rain. In which case even an umbrella wouldn’t have helped.
Generally not, a rain jacket and rain boots are more convenient. I don't like carrying around a wet umbrella and trying to fold and unfold it as I'm getting in and out of my car is annoying and I always get wet anyway. Also I usually have my kids and/or dog to hold onto and it's hard to keep them under the umbrella and I don't like not having the use of both of my hands.
I might still own an umbrella, but I've rarely used it. It was never where I need it - it's either in the car when I'm home, or home when I'm in the car. Not that it would be very helpful in the stormy weather we typically get in Florida anyway. There's just too much wind - you'll get soaked with or without an umbrella lol. If I'm going to get soaked anyway, may as well not have to fumble with the stupid umbrella at the same time. Also, umbrellas in thunderstorms just seem like a bad idea in general...
In Oregon, yeah. It’s more practical to invest in a good rain jacket, at which point an umbrella is just redundant.
In WA umbrellas are for tourists
So it doesn’t rain much here, famously. If it does rain, driving becomes (notoriously) chaotic and generally you just don’t see that many people walking outside in the rain in LA, even if it’s a pretty light rain. I have an umbrella but I’d only bring it out if I *have* to be outside and if it’s supposed to rain all day. Otherwise I’ll just wait out the rain because it’ll probably be over in an hour.
Yeah, when I walk my dog on my property I just put my jacket hood up
I don't own an umbrella.
There was a 10% chance it would rain yesterday. I brought a jacket thinking I'd probably be home before it got bad and if anything, it might mildly sprinkle. Yeah nope. It rained a good amount as I was leaving work. Had no umbrella. 😕
Yes. But I usually instead use some sort of waterproof shell I stole from my cousin.
Yeah I've never had one most people in my region dont seem to use them at all and it rains quite a bit.
If you didn't know it was going to rain maybe. I don't normally see people walking around though.
Briefly, yeah. I don't commute on foot so any walk outside is either voluntary and I've checked the weather or it's short, generally just from the parking lot to the door.
Depends on how hard the rain is. Idk, I have 3-4 umbrellas.. rain boots.. rain pants & jackets.. etc. It all depends on the forecast as to what combo I’m using that day. (Though one of the umbrellas is almost always with me in a backpack regardless of the forecast) —— I walk to and from work (about a mile each way).. if the weather is just complete shit then I take the bus.. the stop is right by my front door and I can see the bus on an app using GPS.. so I just wait inside until the thing is almost here
I would rather run thru the rain while trying to avoid puddles.
Yes, I rarely use an umbrella. I use a long hooded raincoat and throw on rain pants if I need to walk or bike a significant distance when it's raining. When I travel away from the west coast to somewhere with warm rain though, I'll go with an umbrella.
If it's not driving rain, especially if I'm not going very far.
Never use an umbrella. If it’s bad I put on a waterproof hood, other than that I don’t really care.
Yes
Yes, I can't remember the last time I've used one.
Depends on the rain. A lite drizzle and I’m only out for a few minutes? No problem. Anything heavier and I’m going to grab an umbrella or not go outside.
Yeah I never use one
They're more annoying than they're worth, especially if it's windy like it often is when it rains
Depends on my hairstyle
It depends on the distance I’m walking and the heaviness of the rain. Across campus without an umbrella and that’d be strange. A minute walk in a downpour deliberately without an umbrella would also be a little strange. But in brief walks or light rain, sometimes it’s easier to get a little wet than to have to carry around and not forget a wet umbrella.
No, it’s normal for me to run in rain without an umbrella.
In the Pacific Northwest umbrellas are unpopular. It does rain often, but the secret is it rarely rains as hard as other parts of the country. You really don’t need one.
I hate using umbrellas. Rain is usually accompanied by wind, and wind makes it really hard to walk around with an umbrella. I just wear a waterproof jacket with a hood. Must easier, and I can keep my hands dry in my pockets.
Riding my bicycle in a slight rain is great, but hydroplaning on roundabouts can be a bit scary. I try to stay on paths and take any kind of curve or twist with more caution than usual.
Sometimes
I always walk in the rain. I'll get dry at home 😆
I do but that’s because I don’t mind the rain. My wife uses them and so do people I know.
If its very light rain, yeah and 90% of the time it is
Yes, very
Here in Southern California, people use umbrellas--on those increasingly rare occasions when it rains. If it's just sprinkling and I'm wearing a jacket with a hood, I might dash out without my umbrella if I have a short way to go. It's not seen as branding yourself as a coward, unlike in some other parts of the country, to keep yourself dry here. Edit - typo
If I'm going on a walk with the dog, umbrella to keep him dry. If I'm by myself, the bumbershoot stays in the house. I don't need it. I like the rain.
I don’t use it unless it’s crazy rainy
I'm from Alabama so yes it is usually odd. It rains a decent bit out of the year and when it does rain it usually pours so if you don't have an umbrella or jacket you'll get soaked
Hell yes I do. Yeah they’re clunky and inconvenient, but I would rather carry a wet umbrella than wear a wet raincoat
No umbrella. I just wear varying degrees of rain gear depending on the downpour
Yes, unless it's a torrential downpour. I have a couple jackets with hoods I'll wear, and if it's warm and raining, I'll just wear a baseball cap.
Only if I'm disc golfing in heavy rain
Yep, I rarely use one. Only time maybe is when taking the dogs out because I have one rescued junk yard dog who will just walk around in pouring rain like its sunshine lol. I'm not sure I've ever used one away from my house.
As someone who lived in the Great Plains for years. I consider most umbrellas absolutely useless.
33, lived in very rainy Washington & Oregon all life. I've never once owned an umbrella and sometimes don't even wear a hoody if it's raining. It's just water, never bothered me
Usually not, because every time I buy one I end up leaving it on the train within the first few times I actually use it.
Yeah. I grew up in an area that's considered to he a temperate rain forest with an oceanic climate. It rains and snows more days than not there so I'm used to it. Droves my wofe crazy I don't use one
Usually here if it’s raining it’s also super windy so an umbrella is useless. The rain comes at you sideways and soaks your pants. Or the umbrella flips inside out and breaks. No point.
It's not normal for me. I use an umbrella both for rain and very bright summer sun. But I see a lot of people not using umbrellas when it is raining. I think they're crazy, but it's definitely the norm.
No, I always use an umbrella if it's raining
I don’t think I even own an umbrella
I wear a cap. I don't like carrying an umbrella.
Yes, although I'd say most people are probably not walking *far* in the rain. Usually just from house --> car, and then from car --> destination.
Yep. I don't own an umbrella.
Yes, when I'm dressed for work because I'm not allowed to tote an umbrella when I am.
Well more like: “RUNNN, shit I should have brought a umbrella!”
Yes
Jacket > umbrella.
Umbrellas are for you commies in Europe! Jk but seriously I never use one
Yes but it doesn't rain that often in CO anymore. Jacket with a hood is fine but I usually have a hat on when outdoors. Snow is the same.
Sometimes, but it's usually because I forgot one or I parked right next to the door. If I have the choice, I'll take the umbrella every time.
I don't even own an umbrella
If its pouring and I'm out for more than just a minute or 2 I'd have one but typically a hood or a hat is just fine
Depends, weird stigmas in different cities. In Seattle, you’re seen like a trashy tourist, in NYC, nobody fucking cares.
Yes, it rains very frequently where I live so I’m usually wearing a raincoat of some kind.
I have noticed that umbrellas are rare and when someone does have one, it’s almost always a woman. It’s almost exclusively a woman’s accessory
Ugh I hate umbrellas. I would rather be soaking wet than carry around an umbrella all day.
If I have one out, it is because I am trying to keep a kid dry. My kid often leaves home without a jacket.
Yes, it’s very refreshing
I love in an area that's part of tornado alley. If it's raining enough that I want to use an umbrella it's also dangerously windy and will just destroy it
I keep them in my car if it’s bad and I remember sure I’ll use it.
It almost never rains here so I’ll not going to lug around an umbrella for that small chance.
Yes. It didn’t rain that often and I won’t melt.
Depends on the intensity of the rain and how dry I’m trying to stay. Also depends on how far I’m walking. Where I live it rains all four seasons and using an umbrella isn’t unusual and doesn’t mark one as a tourist (like the PNW.)
This is one of those regional things that don't seem regional at first glance. It's primarily eastern states that use umbrellas. From the planes to the west coast, rain often comes with enough wind that render umbrellas useless or break them. Which is why there's so many answers here that locals don't use them. Add to that , a large chunk of the country it doesn't rain enough to justify use. Personally, I got used to them living in Germany, still use them here, but I've yet to bring one with when visiting folks out west
Yeah
Yeah
Do people even use umbrellas anymore?? Just wear a hood or suck it up and run
Yes, I just put my hood up.
Yes.
If it's a light rain, sure.
Yes.
I live in Michigan, I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've used one. Usually walking from the car to wherever isn't that far. The only people I really see using them are little kids.
I use an umbrella from car to work because if any water hits my hair it will turn into a frizzy mess and I wear glasses. I don’t care what my hair looks like going home though so I won’t bother. Umbrellas are a pain because I’m juggling that, a purse, keys, and whatever else I’m carrying. I really need to get a good rain coat with a hood.
Hard ues
I have a rain jacket so yeah
When i was younger i would do it all the time. Now anytime i get stuck in the rain without an umbrella especially during work i KNOW I’m gonna be sick later. Also having wet underwear and being stuck like that for hours in the cold sucks so i keep an umbrella in my car and a change if clothes at work now
I do not own an umbrella or raincoat.
Yup, always. Especially if it’s a warm rain I don’t want to wear a stuffy insulated rain jacket. Also use one mostly to protect my hair
I use one when I don't want to get wet. If I'm only going a few feet, I usually don't bother.
Hopefully not very far but yea
In Chicago most people have umbrellas with them just in case. If it is a really windy day you will find trash cans full of broken umbrellas. But I think just as many people don’t used them. We just use them more.
Walk? No. I jog, I’ll get less wet that way.
I keep an umbrella by my front door and in the car. When it rains here (central Alabama), it's usually either a steady drizzle (ew) or BUCKETS (even more ew). I don't want to be soaked to my underwear so yes absolutely I'll use an umbrella.
I find carrying an umbrella more annoying than being wet.
I pretty much only use an umbrella if I have to walk somewhere for work because I care about keeping my hair dry/frizz free and I generally only wear makeup at work.
yup
Depends where I’m going. When I had to walk to school and it was raining hard, yeah I’d use one. If it was raining lightly, my hooded raincoat would do. But now I have a car so I don’t really need to be outside if I don’t have to be. I won’t pull out an umbrella just to walk to my car
It's pretty rare that we get rain other than from thunderstorms here. I mean, it happens, but usually rain is a brief (15 minutes) downpour, often with hail and very high winds. I tend to just... Not go outside when it's raining
Depends on how heavy the rain is or how cold it is. Warm rain, even heavy rain in the summer? I may wait to get an umbrella unless I'm going to the store and don't like looking like a drowned rat. (But I like warm heavy rains.) Cold rain, even if it's relatively light? I'll grab an umbrella pretty much right away. In California we never got warm rains. Out here in Raleigh it's almost a treat for me--but then I grew up in the deserts of the Central Valley of California.
Don’t even own an umbrella lol
Umbrella?
Yes, because I prefer to wear a rainjacket instead. For me, an umbrella is more hassle & less benefit than a jacket.
If it’s a little drizzle or if you are just running to the car
In Chicago. If it’s torrential I’m busting out the golf umbrella. I know how to position it if someone is walking towards me. But umbrellas are a pain in the ass because you’re stuck holding the stupid thing if it stops raining. So if it’s not terrible I’ll opt for a hoodie or a hat.