modell

I have read that you can spot a tourist in Seattle by his umbrella...should I leave mine home and just accept the fact that i will have drippy hair and running mascara?
COming this month.

xxx

Yes.

rainygal

To truly blend in, your first stop should be at REI (wonderful outdoor wear and stuff), stock up on hiking shorts, Birkenstocks with heavy wool socks, long sleeved cotton t-shirt, polartec jacket.... with a hood.... maybe! While we're known for the rain, it mostly drizzles here.... I walk one block to the local market, and am barely damp. The weather this month is cool 30's at night, maybe 40's during the day. Seattle's a wonderful city. Hope you're staying in the city, rather than the suburbs. Lots to see and do. Wonderful music scene, arts opportunities galore, many funky neighboorhoods. Enjoy!

Melinda

I have lived here 5 years and would not dare open an umbrella. It still shocks me that we women all stand in the school parking lot with the rain coming down chatting as if the drizzle was sunshine. I have learned to have a no fuss hairdo and attitude. Waterproof mascara helps. People ask how I handle the rain and it is an easy trade off as everyone is so friendly and it is such a great place to live that we just ignore the constant grey days.

Amy

Modell, don't believe some of these folks that tell you not to bring your umbrella in order to fit-in with the locals. I was born and raised in Seattle and I use my umbrella when I need it, which is often. Have a wonderful and dry trip.

Pauline

I'm a native Oregonian who moved to WA state 6 years ago. I've never used an umbrella once, and before you go thinking I'm a 20something college kid I'll tell you that I'm 53. In all my years in the PNW the only people I have ever spotted with an umbrella were very elderly and/or from California.

jkb

I've lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life and I use an umbrella regularly. Lots of people do, and they are not just tourists or old folks. I don't understand why people should take pride in not using an umbrella.

ddd

So what if people think you're a tourist anyway?

Suzanne

I remember visiting Seattle and the ridicule I was subjected to by the locals every time I opened my umbrella. "Tourist, tourist", they would chant, until finally I could stand it no more and broke out in tears.

I will never go back to Seattle, nor will I purchase any products or services from there. They have ruined my life.

Wendy

Modell that is just plain silly! I think that what the article probably meant to state was that unless it's truley raining- i.e. really coming down as/ you are going to get WET- we are so use to drizzle that we would rarely use an umbrella in that. I have lived here mostof my life and absolutley use an umbrella if it is pouring, but a little sprinkle "no", luckily I'm not made of brown sugar so I don't melt! haha!

Also as another posted most people have gortex jackets with hoods so pulling on your hood works to.

I work downtown and see many men and women walking around with their umbrella's and I gaurantee they are not tourists!

Bring it!

Don

modell, I'd bring the umbrella. Just don't use it if it's only misty/drizzly, which it almost invariably is--doing that will make people believe you're from out of town.

I've lived here three years and have used an umbrella maybe 10 times. It just doesn't rain hard enough on a regular basis to make it seem worthwhile to break out the umbrella.

andrea

It just doesn't really pour here, and well, if it does, I do pull out on an umbrella. But other than that, I really don't mind. Except for the time I got caught in a downpour at the doggie park w/6 dogs. It was a 20 min. walk back & all 7 of us were a mess by the time we got back to the car!

Sara

Lived in Oregon all my life. Currently live very near a college campus and even the 'weird' college students use umbrellas if it rains! I wear glasses so I most definately use an umbrella. There are times it is misty, moisty and it isn't really worth an umbrella but when it rains lots of people use them and they aren't out of style!

I do recommend "water-proof" clothes since you will probably get wet even with an umbrella.

As mentioned before, hoods are a great idea - a good compromise because doing tourist stuff an umbrella can be a hassle to carry. If you take the wise route and use an umbrella get one of those mini-mini ones and put it in your touristy fanny pack!

Enjoy your visit!

Me

Whats wrong with using an umbrella? I think you look more stupid without one.

daphne

Fraser and Niles use umbrellas - and they're well-established locals.

Wendy

Modell I thought of you this morning as I walked from my parked car to my office in the rain carrying my umbrella!