Beware the raging umbrellas

WITH the rain pouring down ever so often we all have to contend with a rush of umbrellas and a creeping “umbrella rage.” Some commuters are a lost cause when it comes to managing their umbrellas. They turn them into dangerous weapons, sticking and poking people and creating their own showers, as they go along. Anyone who has not been spared the spokes or spikes of an umbrella knows that care must be taken with these potentially dangerous accessories.

They should always be carried close to the body when closed, point down and not up or across as is the habit of Trinis, and held so as not to block one’s vision when open, either high or low enough to avoid the eyes of other pedestrians. An umbrella shared by a couple walking together should be held by the taller of the two, both for safety and for comfort.

Sealed with a kiss

Social kissing has become one of the more effusive forms of greeting to arise in recent years between casual acquaintances. This can range from tiny bursts of “air kissing” where no lip-to-cheek contact is actually made, to enthusiastic smacks on cheeks or lips, often from virtual strangers. Some people in your acquaintance who have adopted the European custom of kissing (either in the air or with contact) both cheeks. Some people even utter “kiss kiss” as they perform this rite. However, not everyone loves to be kissed. But, if you are going along with the practice the question becomes which cheek to offer first? Put forward your right cheek to the right cheek of the one you are greeting. If he or she is doing this European style, you then pull back slightly and proffer your left cheek. This should help you avoid that embarrassing bobbing of heads as you move toward one another from the wrong side.

How to avoid being kissed?

You can immediately extend your hand with a fairly stiff arm to prevent the other person from pulling you into an embrace, and pat his or her shoulder with your other hand, letting go as quickly as possible and taking one step backward to create distance.