# The problem with umbrellas **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 12, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497 "2013-04-12T13:11:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/1 "2013-04-12T13:11:49Z")
The post is in the center. Obviously this is the simplest and most efficient design, but of course the center is the place with the most possible coverage against rain. If I did not have a head, this would not be an issue, but I do. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/2 "2013-04-12T14:25:10Z")
Oh, oh…! This seems like a job for… _ **PATENT EXAMINER MAN!** _ [PATENT EXAMINER MAN TO THE RESCUE!](http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT4760610&id=NLYwAAAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=umbrella-hat&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q&f=false) You’re welcome, citizen! (…Kee-rist, the things I’ll do to avoid doing boring work late on a friday afternoon…) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/3 "2013-04-12T14:26:16Z")
Perhaps you’d prefer the [Senz umbrella](http://www.senzumbrellas.com/). ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/4 "2013-04-12T14:42:10Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > If I did not have a head, this would not be an issue, but I do. I also have a head. But it’s kinda narrow and pointy, and fits pretty good under an umbrella. But…I also have shoulders, and a butt. Which tend to stick out and get rained on… Stupid umbrella manufacturers…they oughtta make a whole-body style. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/5 "2013-04-12T14:47:51Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > …Stupid umbrella manufacturers…they oughtta make a whole-body style. Japan to the rescue! [Take](http://i.imgur.com/L88TXvO.jpg) [your](http://i.imgur.com/ezVJEzE.jpg) pick. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/6 "2013-04-12T15:03:17Z")
If you lived in St. Louis, you’d know about the Brockabrella, [http://randylilleston.com/images/blog/2010-07-12-loubrock.jpg](http://randylilleston.com/images/blog/2010-07-12-loubrock.jpg) Named after Lou Brock, a great Cardinals player. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/7 "2013-04-12T15:11:03Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Perhaps you’d prefer the [Senz umbrella](http://www.senzumbrellas.com/). I got one of these cheap at one point. I hate it. Great concept, but doesn’t work for me. I do keep it in my office for the occasional “crap, it’s raining” at the end of the day or lunchtime storm when I’ve forgotten the one I usually have in my backpack. (part of my dislike for it is the size, and that would be an issue with any non-compact umbrella. The specific to this is that the shape is awkward when carrying it, at least for me.) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/8 "2013-04-12T15:20:41Z")
I haven’t owned an umbrella in a long time. We have an integral garage, I don’t mind dashing through the drops, nor do I mind dripping dry. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/9 "2013-04-12T16:12:00Z")
You clearly need [one of these](http://www.nubrella.com/). ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/10 "2013-04-12T16:51:05Z")
wouldn’t that just drip rain water on you? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/11 "2013-04-12T17:17:16Z")
I use a [raincoat](http://www.grundens.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=18&Itemid=80) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/12 "2013-04-12T17:18:20Z")
> [@rocking chair](#): > > wouldn’t that just drip rain water on you? That’s what I’m thinking. I’d end up only marginally less wet with that thing than I did this morning with my traditional umbrella. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/13 "2013-04-12T20:54:37Z")
[Problem solved!](http://www.123rf.com/photo_11171532_an-older-woman-in-scuba-wet-suit-with-a-mask-and-snorkle.html) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-umbrellas/655497/14 "2013-04-12T21:04:47Z")
I’ve had umbrellas snap upward (opening the wrong way) in high winds. It’s funny in films but not when you’re getting soaked in a storm.