An interesting observation by my Japanese hosts is that Americans—even in Americans living in rainy areas like Seattle—often don't own umbrellas.
And my sample set indicates this is true. Neither Layla nor I own an umbrella.
I chaulk this up to widespread use of the automobile here in the US. An umbrella is often more hassle than it's worth when your outdoor commute consists of walking across your driveway, and walking across the parking lot. In fact, if you've got a garage at home and a covered parking structure at the office, you don't really ever have to be out in the rain during the week.
Update: This is dumb. I just bought an umbrella.
So... It took you over three years to decide it was dumb...
=p
This is the first year I'm riding the bus consistently during the rainy season.
Like I said, if you're driving, it doesn't matter.
--D
I have to point out that I have thought it was dumb for quite some time, but it never bothered me enough to get one. I think it is because the rain here doesn't come in buckets like in NM (on the occasion that it rains). It is a lot more like living in a vegetable mister.
Maybe you just annoyed Mister Mister.
When he gets pissed, you get ... mist.
The other day I met a guy that pronounces it "um-brella", which I found awesome and will start using.
But the lack of um-brellas in Seattle is quite well-known, and often made fun of by comedians. I apparently am going against the grain and have not 1 nay 2 um-brellas. [Ok, so 1 is really called a Volksschirm (it's VW branded...), but it still counts and even comes in a nice decorative (VW badge enhanced) protective case.] I really do use them, but only on the days I am taking the bus and it pours.
I think the prior justification was that an um-brella is not useful, because of the sideways-included vegetable mister Layla speaks of. Which, in downtown Seattle makes sense, with the urban canyons, but no so much on the Eastside with its suburban sprawl.
Um-brellas are handy in the cho-co-late rain.
--D
worse yet, even the smallest amount of wind renders an umbrella useless.
And a lot of wind turns an um-brella inside out—perhaps into an un-brella?
--D