Introduction
An umbrella refers to a lightweight handheld collapsible covering that serves as a roof to shelter an area or someone from the weather. People use umbrellas to for various purposes and are designed for different users. There are umbrellas for children and adults, depending on their size and usability. Umbrellas are a common phenomenon everywhere across the world, especially during rainy and sunny weather conditions.
They mainly come from China, Taiwan, and western countries (Mc Alinney par. 3). Over the years, umbrella designs have evolved to modern ones that are fixed multiple user tools such as tables to provide shade for several people (Sangster 20). Such umbrellas are common in the hospitality industry. Their predominant round shape has also evolved to include other designs depending on different wind patterns across the world (Mc Alinney par. 6). People love to use umbrellas because they are convenient, especially during outdoor activities.
Discussion
Umbrellas are quite common, as evidenced by the national umbrella day celebrated across the world on 10th February each year (Sangster 31). Weather experts argue that over the years, umbrellas have become one of the consumer products that attract high demand across the world. Practically, everyone finds the need to use an umbrella at least once a year. People use umbrellas for other purposes, apart from protection from sunlight and rainfall (Hogan par. 1).
Some people use them as a fashion accessory that helps to complete their image. During rainy or sunny days when someone has to use an umbrella, it is important to choose one that complements the clothes that someone wears. According to fashion experts, there are numerous types of umbrellas for everyday activities such as going to the garden, a wedding, a sporting event, or a picnic (Hogan par. 6). Umbrellas are also used in weather forecasting as a graphic symbol that denotes whether there will be rainfall or sunshine. Photographers also use umbrellas variedly.
Another interesting aspect of umbrellas is the numerous assumptions that people create with regard to their use. Umbrellas have created a huge debate, especially among its adherents and opponents. First, some people assume that people who carry umbrellas during normal weather conditions are very sensitive to the sun, highly fashionable, or attention seekers (Hogan par. 2). Secondly, some people tend to assume that umbrellas are not always necessary because some people choose to protect themselves using hats or raincoats (Hogan par. 2).
Third, some people tend to assume that the use of umbrellas as fashion accessories is just a fantasy because it is cumbersome to carry an umbrella around, especially during normal weather conditions. People use umbrellas for varied reasons (Hogan par. 3). Studies have established that most people use them as a protection tool, while a few use them as fashion accessories. Stylish umbrellas can be used at any time, depending on user preference. Some people think that umbrellas cause social menace because they affect the ability of people to walk comfortably (Hogan par. 7).
Conclusion
An umbrella is a good tool to research because of its popularity and importance in people’s lives. People use umbrellas all the time for various reasons. It is very easy to observe and understand the way people use umbrellas. Although there are a few opponents of umbrellas, their popularity and high demand across the world is a clear indication of their importance in people’s daily activities.
Works Cited
Hogan, Michael. Why Real Men Don’t Use Umbrellas. 2014. Web.
Mc Alinney, Roberta. Are Umbrellas becoming the Latest Must have Fashion Accessory? Web.
Sangster, William. Umbrellas and their History. New York: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.