When one is with an umbrella, one thinks only of the umbrella and not one’s environs else the umbrella may be snatched away by the frivolous wind or, if not lost to the gusts, be inverted and thereupon broken. When one thinks only of the umbrella whilst treading through rain–be it torrential or drizzly–the thoughts are most often of a dichotomy, that of the malicious properties of an umbrella or its beneficial properties.

      The malicious properties are, unfortunately, a direct result of its beneficial ones. An umbrella is beneficial because it is water-proof and also, therefore, incredibly air-resistant as well. And it is beneficial as well because of its dome-shape, allowing the streaming droplets to flow down and around the user rather than dangerously collecting above his or her head where the weight of the water would cause damage to the lightweight–thus portable–frame of the umbrella. The lightweight frame itself is a beneficial property of an umbrella, making it easier to carry on an arm which is held perpendicular to the body, creating less stress on the wrist and hand which grasps it. These beneficial properties–water-proof, dome-shaped, lightweight–are also the umbrella’s downfall.

      Because it is water-proof and thus air-resistant, when air catches underneath the umbrella, it does not pass through but instead attempts to bring the umbrella with it into the air. Also, the umbrella–being dome-shaped to divert the water away from the user–acts as a scoop, allowing the wind to gather and collect beneath it, the curved sides capturing it and aiding in the wind’s struggle to free it from one’s hand. Due to the umbrella’s lightweight construction, many scenarios play out as a result. One may become accustomed to the very slight weight of the umbrella in one’s hand, and when the wind tugs violently and unexpectedly at the air-resistant dome, it may jerk the umbrella out of one’s hand and into the air. A dance of water-proof fabric, air currents and the user ensues all under a sheet of water as he or she attempts to regain the umbrella. Or, if the umbrella is not wrested from the hand of the user, it at least startles his or her reverie, quite possibly at the expense of control of the offending object, resulting in a spray of water on the user, thus negating the original purpose and design of the device. However, even worse may result if one has too strong a grip on the umbrella’s handle, and, unbending like an iron bar, does not allow the umbrella any give, any room for movement. It is then that the lightweight frame of the umbrella is overpowered by the air-resistant nature of its dome, and the dome quickly inverts into a cone, breaking or weakening the frame so that chances are, the umbrella is no longer functional as protection from rain, no longer functional as anything other than an enlongated, branched stick with water-proof material flapping at one end. The umbrella is defeated, adn the user is quickly becoming drenched.

      Thus, the beneficial qualities of an umbrella are also its downfalls. Whether thinking of an umbrella’s benefits in order to more efficiently use them–such as trying to maintain a parallel state with the rain or a perpendicular position to the wind–or when thinking of the malicious properties of the same umbrella in hopes of averting them, one must always think of the umbrella when in use else nasty surprises pop up.

      In addition, an umbrella user must consider other umbrella users–be they striding alongside the user or in passing. Umbrellas bumping against each other or overlapping causes splashing and awkward dripping on arms and handbags previously under the protection of the water-proof dome. Care must also be taken against the accidental putting out of eyes with the metal arms which radiate outward from the central hub. Not everyone carries a protective umbrella, and as it is hard for a user to see around a lowered umbrella due to the latter’s opacity, it is also hard to see on-coming passers-by to avoid a jab to the eye with an umbrella awkwardly held.

      Care, caution, conscientiousness–these all must be taken into consideration for proper and beneficial umbrella use.