Parasols in the uk ?

[kraftyKitten]

Watching the news reports about the heatwaves I've noticed people carrying pretty parasols or even umbrellas to combat the heat . I wonder why parasols have never caught on here seeing as were now going to get hotter summers ? I've never seen any for sale in the shops .

Because people like to tan in the UK, I wear a hat or carry a white umbrella with a pattern on and use as a parasol. I’m Chinese and a tan is deemed unattractive as seen as low class as likely to be a field worker, so was raised to be careful in the sun.

Parasols in the UK were very much a thing up until the last 100 years

Umbrellas needed where I live

I think they are a good idea, I’ve seen plenty of people using them in Malaysia etc. I have very fair skin and I don’t mind heat but I don’t like the feeling of the direct burning sun on my scalp or skin. So I usually prefer wear a sun hat in summer. Straw hat type thing. However I feel self conscious when at home in the UK as I imagine people are thinking “where does she think she is, does she think shes on holiday or something?” And Its difficult to wear a hat like that with casual wear that youd wear on the school run for for example. I imagine carrying a parasol around with me would draw even more attention and draw comments that I don’t want.

What Im trying to say really is Id love to use one but I think everyone else would think I looked like a right twat with it 😂

I have a couple of pretty ones that I bought when on holiday in China - where lots of people used them. I’d love to use them here in the UK but haven’t been brave enough yet.

Pragmatically, I guess most of us find it easier to wear sunblock and it's not often so very hot.

I have a Japanese parasol. I do get funny looks when I use it.

We went to an outdoor event on one of the stupidly hot days last year and in desperation I walked round with my umbrella up. Felt a bit daft at first, but honestly the bliss of having portable shade and not feeling that (to me) hideous, stressful sensation of the sun scorching your scalp and skin was absolutely worth it.

I meant to look out for a paper parasol to use this year but never got round to it (and it looks like it might not be needed given the way the weather is turning out!) But I would absolutely use an umbrella again if the need arose, with not a second's hesitation. (But I am in the 50+ 'no fucks left to give' age demographic so that helps 😊)

I have a proper sun-blocking, gorgeous parasol, and I don't care what anyone thinks when I use it.

I wear a big hat as I have to be careful as I have a couple of BCCs on my leg awaiting removal, don't want them coming on my face