I think this and the OP’s scenario are two different things. Sharing a coat is much more awkward and intimate than sharing an umbrella. All sharing an umbrella would require is two people standing relatively close to each other. Sharing a coat - I don’t even know how that’s possible without literally hugging each other (which of course is very different from just standing next to each other).
I +1 PandaBear77, by the way.
So is the OP ever going to come back to this thread?
If you were sitting on a bench with someone as closely as you’d have to stand next to someone to share a standard umbrella, or sitting on a bus seat with someone, you could drape a coat over both of you like a blanket. It’s not hard, I’ve done it, but not with a stranger because I have boundaries.
If we share my umbrella, we’re both going to get our butts wet.
I’ve never owned a golf umbrella and a standard sized one will only keep one person dry, especially if s/he has a purse or shopping bag. If you forgot to bring one, you’re on your own.
I think it’s impolite to ask, and not impolite to refuse.
I would never ask myself. Whether I shared with someone who asked would depend on a lot of things, including the size of my umbrella, their size (and whether they could fit), how hard it was raining, their degree of personal hygiene, and general demeanor.
Hell no, she needs her space!
I’ve never heard of someone asking a stranger to share an umbrella.
The obvious moral of this thread is: bring your own umbrella or be prepared otherwise. It is not likely you will find people like me and eleven other candy-asses who would accommodate for you.
Truth be told, it’d haveta be Noah raining before I’d wanna be dry under a candy-assed person’s bumbershoot!
Me neither. I’m not big on personal space, so if somebody asked me, I’d probably say “yes” unless the person creeped me out. But I’d be shocked and confused as hell. (Well, this is all in theory, as I’m almost never with umbrella myself.)
But I voted that it’s not rude to decline. People are not required to let you invade their personal space and declining to do so is never rude, IMHO. I mean, if they phrase it “fuck no, asshole,” then I guess that would qualify as a bit rude but a polite “sorry, but no”? Nah.
It surprises me that your date doesn’t have a gender. 
Unless you were big and scary, I’d share if asked, but I’ll admit that it would be awkward. If it was a pouring rain and I had space, I’d even offer it up if someone was standing by getting drenched.
I don’t think it’s rude to ask, as much as it’s kind of strange. I have about a 40 yard walk from the parking lot to my building at work, so I turn on the forecast each morning to see if I’ll need an umbrella or a parka or whatever. I’d think that people who relied on public transportation would do the same for their own sake. But, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that big of a deal.
Hell, I tried sharing an umbrella with my SO last week. We both got wet. It’s very hard to share one umbrella with two people…
Ditto and I would think the person was a complete nut to even ask. (No offense to the OP) That is far too much of an invasion of personal space.
Not huddling close enough, or a little too close and TMI. :eek:
It was in the middle of a busy downtown street in Chicago. :eek: I am not that much of an exhibitionist!
Very weird to ask a complete stranger to share an umbrella. It’s quite an intimate thing to do.
I think if it was really pouring rain and I was standing around with an umbrella, and someone was standing beside me just getting drenched, I’d feel obligated to offer. But if they asked me I’d feel very weird about it. It’s one of those weird situations I guess where it’d be rude for me not to offer but it’s also rude for this hypothetical person to ask.
Voted: no, it’s not rude to refuse.
If you were to ask me to share my umbrella with you, I’d probably say yes, but would feel uncomfortable and slightly resentful that you’d asked. But being British I’d be terribly polite to you and spend the rest of the [strike]day[/strike] week grumbling about it to anyone who’d listen.
If anyone refused though, I wouldn’t think they were in the slightest bit rude for doing so. After all, you’re making a request, not a demand right?
Simple rule; if you think you might not like the answer you’ll get, then don’t ask the question.
Could be a serial killer waiting to slip a blade between your ribs.
you just want to get close to pick my pocket.