TIL...

[trekkiedane]

@ TZ Well, I could not find any description or video on-line... only the etiquette about how to carry an open umbrella seems to be widely described -and while that is something a lot of people should look into it just isn't what need to know as it's basically just applied common sense.

What I don't know is how much 'action' is allowed when walking with it 'as a walking-stick' ...


(Glad it made you smile though )

 

[Tora Ziyal]

What I don't know is how much 'action' is allowed when walking with it 'as a walking-stick' ...

I'm of no help there. When I carry something "as a walking-stick", it's... a real walking-stick (so much nicer term than the more typical American cane).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ And also much nicer than the huge animal tooth used by Chancellor Gorkon in ST VI.

 

[trekkiedane]

^Yeah, that was more of an overgrown hiking stick he had there


@TZ Ah, but walking with a 'cane' is something Americans do very well -they've learned it from the master; Charlie Chaplin

 

[scotpens]

@ TZ Well, I could not find any description or video on-line... only the etiquette about how to carry an open umbrella seems to be widely described -and while that is something a lot of people should look into it just isn't what need to know as it's basically just applied common sense.

It's extremely rude to bump another pedestrian's open umbrella. The French seem to have mastered the art of close-order umbrella drill.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

@TZ Ah, but walking with a 'cane' is something Americans do very well -they've learned it from the master; Charlie Chaplin

Oh, my, that certainly does sound more romantic than the way I learned -- from a physical therapist (what some of you call a physio).

But I think my elegant walking sticks make up for the prosaic instructor. One is this, except the handle is faux ivory instead of lucite.

 

[auntiehill]

BUNNY! How cute!

Today I learned that I can actually survive without mayonnaise. Go figure.

 

[Avalon]

TIL that eating PB&J sandwiches and hotdogs within an hour of each other is...not something I should ever, ever do again. Ever.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

But I think my elegant walking sticks make up for the prosaic instructor. One is this, except the handle is faux ivory instead of lucite.

BUNNY! How cute!

Today I learned that I am apparently not the only fan of bunnies here.

 

[Holdfast]

It is widely known that an Englishman would carry an umbrella by holding it in the middle and having the pointy end point forward

This is correct. The reason is obvious; you always know where the pointy end is, and it remains under close control. No Markov "accidents" possible this way!

but it's also used to carry an umbrella 'as a walking-stick' -how exactly does that work?

Umbrellas aren't really designed to be used as walking sticks if they're the more typical two-piece "fit-up" style. They tend to end up bending under body weight or the thin point catches a gutter or groove. You really need a solid-stick brolly for that; they're sturdier and have wider/blunter point. I often use my brolly in a similar fashion to you so got a solid-stick as my dressy black brolly. My casual navy one is a fit-up though, and I must admit to abusing it by using it the same way.

If you use a brolly as a stick, the strictest person would say that you should use it the way you would a cane, for support when needed, and not otherwise.

However, personally, I tend to adopt the same rather more louche habits around a brolly as you do!

One other thing a brolly is good for - even if it's a bit peremptory - is for subtly guiding pedestrian traffic when there's that momentary "you first, no you, oh I insist" type of shuffle. It makes it obvious which direction you're moving in.

 

[trekkiedane]

One other thing a brolly is good for - even if it's a bit peremptory - is for subtly guiding pedestrian traffic when there's that momentary "you first, no you, oh I insist" type of shuffle. It makes it obvious which direction you're moving in.

know what you mean. And they're good for pointing things out to people

I miss my English umbrella with the wooden handle though (wasn't build for the kind of winds I encountered with it) so some day (if it ever stops raining for long enough) I'll go to a specialist store on the outskirts of town and get a German one... they make them out of carbon fibre composite these days

 

[B.J.]

....brolly ....brolly ....brolly....brolly ....brolly ....brolly ....

TIL that Brits call umbrellas "brollys".

 

[trekkiedane]

 

[Mary Ann]

TIL that I've assembled so much flat pack furniture over the past few years that I hardly need to look at the instructions any more. I still do so, to be on the safe side, but I no longer look at the instructions and think "Huh?" as I did in days gone by.

TZ, I love your bunny walking stick!

 

[Holdfast]

I miss my English umbrella with the wooden handle though (wasn't build for the kind of winds I encountered with it) so some day (if it ever stops raining for long enough) I'll go to a specialist store on the outskirts of town and get a German one... they make them out of carbon fibre composite these days

I can't remember who makes it, but there's one that's designed with an aerodynamic canopy to cope with high winds.

Ah, here were are, thanks to a quick search: http://www.senzumbrellas.com/

PS. the Snoop image is brilliant. I hear he's changed his name to Snoop Lion now. No, I'm not kidding.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Thanks, Macloudt.

 

[auntiehill]

TIL that I have a horrible memory. It's a like a......a...... . Damn, what's that word again?

 

[Gary7]

TIL that when you take an umbrella with you because the weatherman says it's about to pour buckets, nothing happens. But when you don't take one with you just to walk down the road and buy a gallon of milk, you get wet.

The answer? Carry a very small umbrella. One that is easy to tuck into your briefcase, laptop bag, or pocket book.

Actually, I always keep a spare umbrella in my car, and keep one by the door on my way out so I remember to take one... if rain is in the forecast.



TIL that buying shoes on-line is a hit-or-miss affair, if they're a style you've never bought in person. Each shoe maker introduces its own subtleties to shoe sizes, whereby a good fit is not guaranteed just because the size matches what you normally wear. So, unless you buy them with a free return (Amazon [conditionally] and Zappos do this), it's best to try them on in a store before buying on-line. And actually, if the shoes aren't much cheaper than on-line, I'll buy them in the store anyway. It's great to have them promptly and also help support the local economy.

 

[thestrangequark]

Today I learned of the existence of fucking awesome aerodynamic umbrellas. I could sure use one of those. But with my habit of losing umbrellas, so I never spend more than $10 on one.

 

[RevdKathy]

I have never used an umbrella. Being extremely short, one is always afraid of where one might poke other people with it by not being able to see. Added to which, coastal areas always have a fair breeze, making unbrellas largely impractical. I don't use a walking stick, but if planning a longish hike, I have a couple of rather fine walking staffs.

TIL that one should never mix bleach and toilet cleaner. Unless one wants to clear out one's sinuses and wash out one's eyes. (cough, sputter)