Do Seattle Natives Use Umbrellas???

Question

okay so like i was doing some shopping before my big move to Seattle and my friend was with me and i was looking at a umbrella for the rainy days there and she was like in shock with me, she said that most Seattle natives would never use a umbrella and it would make me look like a tourist,so would me using a umbrella be a dead give away of being a newbie to Seattle and if so what can i use as a alternative???

Answer 1

The only people who use umbrellas in Seattle are wimps or tourists. Get a raincoat

Answer 2

Listen to Rudy!!

I carry a bumbershoot at all times in my pack.  It is small when folded but opens to a full size. It recovers from blowout well too!  I also have a cap in there too.

Glad I had that umbrella last week in th middle of Aug it poured downtown!

Answer 3

not really

usually u just walk through the rain, unless it is really pouring. in that case u need an umbrella. but usually, u don't need it

an alternative is something we always use, a hood. there are many cool and awesome styles in seattle.

Answer 4

We only use umbrellas when it rains really hard.  Everyone's got one in there car, but they probably don't see much use.

It doesn't really rain here.  It does something called "drizzle" which is like mist or really wet air.  It hardly ever rains.  It drizzles a lot.

Answer 5

Boy, you've asked a loaded question in the "Seattle" section.  If you get 10 answers you'll probably get 10 different opinions.  So, I'll throw in my two cents' worth...

I work downtown and from Nov to Apr it rains a lot.  Not really HARD rain, just misty, drizzly rain, but a LOT.  Did I say it rains a lot?  It rains a lot.  

OK, downtown Seattle is also right on the Sound, and the wind comes up off the Sound and swirls around the buildings, so it can also be REALLY windy.  

Now, you put it together...drizzly rain, not a torrential downpour, and super windy.  How do you think an umbrella's going to hold up?  Yep, you got it...not so good.  

That being said, anyone who says "only tourists or newbies carry umbrellas" is full of it.  There are a lot of umbrellas out on the sidewalks when it rains.  BUT...most people "in the know" know that a hooded raincoat will serve you much better...you have both hands free (gotta carry that latte with one hand, y'know!) and you don't have to worry about the inevitable umbrella-turning-inside-out syndrome.  

So, bring your umbrella, come on up, and welcome!  You'll use it sometimes, ditch it other times...you'll figure out what works best for you.  But the absolute best thing you can buy before you get here is a hooded raincoat...nothing heavy, it doesn't get too cold here, but a "shell".

Answer 6

Umbrella ownership in Seattle is probably lower than anywhere in the country. I believe there are three reasons for this. The first being that it rains so often that if you are going to use an umbrella you will have to keep it with you most of the year. The second is that is mostly a light rain in Seattle. The third being that Seattle has an outdoor recreational / occupational tradition - you probably aren't going to go rock climbing or logging with an umbrella - in which case you probably have a pretty nice coat with a hood.

Also of note, sun glass purchases per capita are higher in Seattle than anywhere else in the country because when you only wear them Jul - Sep, you tend to lose them.

On one hand your friend is right. You'll look like you've been trained elsewhere or you've just come from the salon and don't want to get your hair wet. On the other-hand most people who live in Seattle are not from Seattle and are more likely to use an umbrella so it's not like you'll be the only one.

Remember to give a little camaraderie wave to the other umbrella users just like the bikers do.

Answer 7

Not really.  Many people do use umbrellas, but most don't.  I think a much higher percentage of tourists use them compared to the natives, so that is where the stereotype comes from.  The reason is because it never really rains too hard in Seattle.  It will drizzle lightly for a large part of the day, but never really rain hard.  So it is just easier to get a little wet and dry out rather then haul around an umbrella with you.  If you get the Seattle uniform of fleece, a hoody, or a light jacket, you will be fine.