Social Question

Austinlad's avatar

Could it ever become "cool" for guys and kids to use an umbrella?

Asked by Austinlad (16323points) January 15th, 2010

This morning I drove past two kids waiting for the school bus in the pouring rain. Neither had an umbrella or even raincoat; they were getting soaked. It was still pouring when I got to work, and I saw women in the parking lot with umbrellas but not men. I remember the days when it was uncool to use rolling luggage, but everybody got over that. Do you think that could ever happen with unmbrellas. THEY KEEP YOU DRY!

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21 Answers

HGl3ee's avatar

I love my umbrella! Why the heck would someone choose being soaked over dry just to look “cool” or “manly”.. idiots. Since idiots will always be there and people will want to look “cool” and “manly” well I’m guessing that will likely never change…

gemiwing's avatar

GQ. I’m not sure because it might be seen as not being tough enough to handle the weather. Then again it could be good because getting soaked would erase some of the cheap hooker cologne, beer sweat and cheese-steak stains. (insert sarcasm tilde thing.)

Snarp's avatar

It’s always cool for men to carry an umbrella. Every rainy day I see lots of men with umbrellas downtown. It use to be that no proper gentlemen went out without an umbrella that doubled as a cane. If there’s a chance of rain I usually have mine.

But maybe that “gentlemen” thing is the issue. Maybe it’s a class thing somehow. Working class guys think of themselves as being tough and manly and not needing a sissy umbrella.

CMaz's avatar

When was it not cool?

mowens's avatar

I saw this years ago. Only one part is applicable, but I will post the whole thing. It is a few years old now.

The Rules of Manhood

Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella.

It is ok for a man to cry under the following circumstances:
a) When a heroic dog dies to save its master.
b) The moment Angelina Jolie starts unbuttoning her blouse.
c) After wrecking your boss’ car.
d) One hour, 12 minutes, 37 seconds into “The Crying Game”.
e) When she is using her teeth

Any Man who brings a camera to a stag night may be legally killed and
eaten by his mates.

Unless he murdered someone in your family, you must bail a friend out of
jail within 12 hours.

If you’ve known a bloke for more than 24 hours, his sister is off limits
forever, unless you actually marry her.

Moaning about the brand of free beer in a mate’s fridge is forbidden.

Complain at will if the temperature is unsuitable.

No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man.
In fact, even remembering your mate’s birthday is strictly optional.

On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the
weakest.

When stumbling upon other blokes watching a sporting event, you may ask
the score of the game in progress, but you may never ask who’s playing.

You may flatulate in front of a woman only after you have brought her to
climax. If you trap her head under the covers for the purpose of
flatulent entertainment, she’s officially your girlfriend.

It is permissible to quaff a fruity alcopop drink only when you’re
sunning on a tropical beach… and it’s delivered by a topless
supermodel…and
it’s free.

Only in situations of Moral and/or physical peril are you allowed to kick
another bloke in the nuts.

Unless you’re in prison, never fight naked.

Friends don’t let friends wear Speedos. Ever. Issue closed.

If a man’s fly is down, that’s his problem, you didn’t see anything.

Women who claim they “love to watch sports” must be treated as spies
until they demonstrate knowledge of the game and the ability to drink as
much
as the other sports watchers.

A man in the company of a hot, suggestively dressed woman must remain
sober enough to fight.

Never hesitate to reach for the last beer or the last slice of pizza, but
not both – that’s just mean.

Never join your girlfriend or wife in discussing a Mate of yours, except
if she’s withholding sex pending your response.

Phrases that may not be uttered to another man while lifting weights:
a. Yeah, Baby, Push it!
b. C’mon, give me one more! Harder!
c. Another set and we can hit the showers!

Never talk to a man in a bathroom unless you are on equal footing: Both
urinating, both waiting in line, etc. For all other situations, an almost
imperceptible nod is all the conversation you need.

Never allow a telephone conversation with a woman to go on longer than
you are able to have sex with her. Keep a stopwatch by the phone. Hang up if
necessary.

The morning after you and a girl who was formerly “just a friend” have
carnal drunken sex, the fact that you’re feeling weird and guilty is no
reason not to nail her again before the discussion about what a big
mistake it was.

It is acceptable for you to drive her car. It is not acceptable for her
to drive yours.

Thou shalt not buy a car in the colours of brown, pink, lime green,orange
or sky blue.

The girl who replies to the question “What do you want for Christmas?”
with “If you loved me, you’d know what I want!” gets a Playstation 2. End of
story.

Ok so none of it is applicable. Laugh anyway. It has the word umbrella in it, and is what I immediately thought of.

jbfletcherfan's avatar

I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t be cool! That’s just dumb. My husband has used an umbrella lots of times, & you don’t get more manly than he is. We carry two in the car & he doesn’t hesitate to grab one when it’s pouring.

Likeradar's avatar

In all the hundreds, if not thousands, of times I’ve seen men with umbrellas, I’ve never thought it was uncool.
But when I see a guy or a kid standing around getting soaked, I definitley think “what a dumbass.”

It’s cool now. And who are these morons who would rather follow some insane standard of coolness than be dry?

CMaz's avatar

People that are living in New York City.

How much are umbrellas going for on the street these days?
When I lived there I could get them $3 each or two for $5.

stranger_in_a_strange_land's avatar

Pouring rain, blizzards and below zero temperatures are not occaisions for looking cool.

Owl's avatar

The “coolness” factor may have something to do with wherthe locale, too.

CMaz's avatar

I love to be rained on.

For reals.

jbfletcherfan's avatar

@ChazMaz Yeah, I don’t mind it if it’s not a frog strangler. There’s rain, & there’s a deluge.

SarasWhimsy's avatar

I didn’t know it was uncool to use an umbrella – I’ve always carried one. I don’t want to get wet unless I’m in the shower. Maybe the guys that think it’s “uncool” should rethink it. They should carry a big umbrella and that way the squeeze in a bunch of girls with them next time it rains?

Sarcasm's avatar

Absolutely not.
Men are designed to be at one with the elements. Putting on a raincoat or special boots, or popping up an umbrella, that’s declining your right to be a man entirely!

It’s like asking if it could every become cool for guys to not like Rambo flicks.

DominicX's avatar

I use an umbrella…

I’m starting to think it’s less about “coolness” as much as it is about “gayness”.

I want an umbrella featuring a picture of the PBS tote bag on it. :)

jbfletcherfan's avatar

@DominicX It has nothing to do with either coolness or gayness. If it’s raining cats & dogs out…use an umbrella!

TexasDude's avatar

I use an umbrella and I’m one of the coolest people I know.

CMaz's avatar

@Fiddle_Playing_Creole_Bastard – You are a Fiddle_Playing_Creole_Bastard.

That is cool all by itself.

Nullo's avatar

Most of the time, I have no need for an umbrella; I don’t usually wear especially nice clothes or go anywhere important, nor am I out in it for very long and I don’t like the hassle of storing and keeping track of a wet umbrella. And heck, Missouri summers are such that you’d actually prefer to get rained on!
If it’s cold, or I’m going to be out in it for a while, then yes, I get out my umbrella.

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