Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Here in Portland, our rain is the stuff of jokes, myths, and, probably, legends. Unfortunately, it also perpetuates this long-standing observation, if not stereotype, of people who carry and use umbrellas.

You can tell they're not from around here; they're carrying an umbrella.

I'm from upstate New York. Home of the white power dump - a winter snowfall can result in 18+ inches of the white stuff overnight coupled with bone-chilling temperatures. Because of my exposure to a "real" winter, does that mean I walked around naked when the white stuff flew because I was a native?

Hell, no.

Wool coat. Lined leather (waterproof) gloves. Hat. Scarf. Wool socks. Boots up to my knees. The haute couture of the Northeast.

When I first moved to Oregon in 2000, I wanted to draw as little suspicion as possible (as I heard about this "native" philosophy), so I never carried an umbrella. When I taught at a local community center part-time, I decided to walk on the nights I taught for fitness. Turns out it rained (I kid you not) the eight Thursdays I taught that spring. It wasn't drizzle but it wasn't a torrential downpour, either. I let myself get soaked because I thought carrying and using an umbrella drew attention to the fact I wasn't a true Oregonian.

Looking back, that is the one of the dumber things I have done in an attempt to save face. I'm not sure if I walked in that freezing, soaking rain because of pride or stupidity.

Today, I would tell you it was stupidity. I would also tell you I carry an umbrella every day now because it makes sense and who the hell enjoys being wet unless it involves a cocktail and sunscreen?

Come rain or shine, with umbrella or without, you should always carry with you the knowledge that you are a unique individual and letting other people's opinions drive you is a waste of time. On the flip side, you have to respect others as well. In my case, where I've lived in four very different states, you have to respect the local culture - having traveled extensively throughout the US, I can honestly say there is always a local culture. So...

Don't expect a Starbucks in the middle of nowhere.

Don't move to a large city and expect no traffic.

Don't make fun of people who wear overalls.

Don't think that everyone who drives a BMW is a pr!ck or yuppie.

...and don't make fun of people who carry umbrellas.