A Conversation for Umbrellas

Do Umbrellas Have Gender?

Post 1

Fragilis - h2g2 Cured My Tabular Obsession

Perhaps I'm being over-sensitive, but I don't think umbrellas have gender these days.

Perhaps umbrellas had clear gender designations 40 years ago. But these days, women carry traditional black umbrellas and men carry small portable umbrellas. Most of the umbrellas I've seen are neutral in coloration (solid colors, stripes, etc.). And though I'm female, I only carry the convention-gift style of umbrella marked "male" in the entry. I feel odd for this all of a sudden, where I never have before.

I may be off my rocker, but I would feel better if we could describe the different styles without referencing gender.


Do Umbrellas Have Gender?

Post 2

An odd character

I feel that Umbrellas most certainly do have gender (I disagree with the desciption of the man not haveing a fold up umbrella, I myself have one.), but as for your argument about women carring "manly" umbrellas, I have a question: have you ever seen a woman wearing clothing from the men's department? Hmm? I think so.


Do Umbrellas Have Gender?

Post 3

Metal Chicken

No offence intended Fragilis. Sincere apologies if any was taken.
The comment was merely an observation that generally speaking, men tend not to favour brightly coloured brollies unless they are of the enormous free gift variety. Fold-up yes, brightly coloured and patterned definitely not. I also had in mind the stereotypical, if outdated, image of the pin-striped city businessman heading off for work with a smart black umbrella to complete the outfit. Out of curiosity, I also asked around the office - majority of chaps laughed at the suggestion of carrying a small, colourful umbrella with one even claiming he'd rather get wet than borrow one if caught in a downpour. Maybe it's a British thing ?


Do Umbrellas Have Gender?

Post 4

Fragilis - h2g2 Cured My Tabular Obsession

I have seen women wearing clothing from the men's department. I also see many stores where the clothes are pretty much identical for both men and women -- jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, shorts, and so on. Where I live, umbrellas are sold in this way. They are general-use items. Perhaps it is very different in Britain. I wouldn't know.


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