southern california residents use umbrellas for walking in the sun. it's sad that their umbrellas rarely ever feel a drop of rain. i've lived here for a year now, and i think it's sprinkled once or twice in that time. it makes me almost miss those days when it's raining so hard (and sideways) that you're whole body is drenched, except maybe the tip top of your head that was covered by the umbrella in the first place... assuming, of course, the wind didn't turn your umbrella inside out.