Just saw a cryptic little note in another thread (about coats) ... it just said "You know what they say about umbrellas."

No, what *do* they say about umbrellas? We were planning to pick up a couple and use them in Italy next month. Is there something I'm missing?

I think that what "they" say is... if you have one you won't need it, and if you don't, you surely will.

Best wishes,

Rex

Since I didn't read the thread you're writing about, I can only guess.

In the large cities in Italy like Rome and Florence, when it rains umbrella people come out of the woodwork trying to sell people umbrellas. They're usually 5 or 10 EURO and they're complete junk. Don't waste your money. They usually break the first time you open them.

Where these people come from, I have no idea. But it is like someone kicked over an ant hill. They're everywhere.

I always pack an umbrella no matter what time of year and it's a good one.

Rex posted while I was typing. Now that I've read his post, I agree with him.

NYCFS, I too always pack one and it's a good one because it came with my contribution to WGBH. I carry it in a backpack I bought in Royal Tunbridge Wells at a shopping mall.

Whoops, forgot the commas around too. I hope Degas doesn't accuse me of being drunk.

But I agree with the "out of the woodwork" observation. It certainly is true. Indeed, it's because of the "have one/need one" disparity that they DO manage to sell enough of those junkers to come out like they do.

I remember the post you refer to and yes, the reference was to "if you take one you won't need it, and if you don't take one you will need it."

Funny thing about cheap umbrellas when it starts to rain. I bought one like that in Innsbruck about 9 years ago. After many years it finally "died" and I tossed it last year. On the other hand I bought a rather expensive one from Nautica which lasted about two weeks.

Patrick, me too, sorta. I bought an umbrella in a torrential downpour in Hong Kong about 5 years ago and it's still going strong. So you never know!

In defence of the people who sell umbrellas on the streets of Italy, mine, brought from home did call it quits and I bought a small folding one in Lucca from a street seller for 4 euros and it is still going strong, thank you Marky for your incorrect observation.
You say "Where these people come from I don't know", well perhaps if you had any compassion at all you would realise that like the rest of us they are only trying to make a living albeit a meagre one. If you took time to talk to one as I did in Fiesole you might find a very interesting story to go with their situations and realise how tough it is out there for some of our fellow humans.
Thanks Patrick, for a positive input.

It began to rain whilst I was in Florence this past April and I had left my umbrella at the hotel. Before I had a chance to even get moist, several "vendors" selling cheap umbrellas for 5 euro had approached me. I didn't think the rain would last long, so I didn't buy from the first 10 guys to approach me..... however, after about 20 minutes, and no let up in the rain, I finally broke down and bought one.... a real gaudy number. If these guys see you in the rain without an umbrella, you will be approached.

I too have an umbrella in my carry on bag that just stays there waiting for our next trip!

Agree with the interpretations above, however, I always have mine with me and last year in Italy it poured in Venice the day we arrived and the day we left. Year before last we got drenched in Provence. There just ain't no justice!

KathyNZ:

You wrote:
:In defence of the people who sell umbrellas on the streets of Italy, mine, brought from home did call it quits and I bought a small folding one in Lucca from a street seller for 4 euros and it is still going strong, thank you Marky for your incorrect observation.
You say "Where these people come from I don't know", well perhaps if you had any compassion at all you would realise that like the rest of us they are only trying to make a living albeit a meagre one. If you took time to talk to one as I did in Fiesole you might find a very interesting story to go with their situations and realise how tough it is out there for some of our fellow humans."

My observation and experience in not incorrect. Just because others had different experiences, doesn't negate what I wrote. Maybe the umbrellas in Lucca are better.

How in the world do you arrive at the conclusion that I don't have compassion? I just made the statement that I wondered where all the umbrella sellers came from. It was quite amazing to see so many of them at the first hint of rain.

As for you, you can take your "holier than thou attitude" and go pound sand.

I am grateful when I am caught in the rain w/o an umbrella and someone approaches me to sell me one for a few euro. They are polite and timely, I pay it, open the umbrella and enjoy the rest of my day....