pergolas - I don't understand why have them?

[basic]

sorry but would really appreciate your views.

I can see the point in hot, sunny climates (ie. not here) as it would provide some shade to sit under or keep the direct sun off windows/doors and therefore keep houses cooler.... but here? Who knows?

Purely decorative?

Climber for plants?

So you have a patch of dry garden when it rains. I'm not quite sure what you want to do in your patch of dry garden while it's raining all around you, though.

ummm, have a fag?

Hassled -I don't think pergolas will even keep you dry though as they don't have solid tops to keep the rain off -so there goes the one possible sensible reason for having them

Maybe its so you can sunbathe underneath them for a nice striped effect

Ah, now I was thinking of those plastic sheeting part-tent/part-marquee square things - usually seem to be green and white striped. People take them camping, and neighbours have one in the garden. What are they called, then?

I meant Gazebo. Blimey, they're cheap. But what are they for?

Gazebos.

Admitedly they are ugly but at least they are useful (as we found out when we had a Big Lunch Party and managed to get almost the entire street under one to shelter from torrential rain )

LOL striped sun bather!