[/rant]Who says men can't do this?[rant]

[Keisaku Hakurei]

Lately I've been following the examples of Japanese women and high-class British women by using an umbrella to protect myself from the sun. It works really well.

It started last year when I was at the county fair and it was a REALLY hot day. Not giving a second thought about how it would look, I bought a parasol on sale at a booth selling Japanese import goods to keep myself cool. It wasn't the best quality parasol as I couldn't lock it in position so it stayed open, but it kept me cool.

But I did that today with a black umbrella when I went into town with my grandmother. She objected to me doing that. She didn't say anything about it making me look effeminate or gender-confused, but she did say that a wide-brimmed hat would look better.

But why should I care about how I look to strangers I'll probably never see again? Besides, using an umbrella to block the sun works.  

[Kits Rose]

Yes, it does work. It's also smarter than getting sick from having the sun beating down on you. You may want to consider a hat when you're with somebody who objects, though. You may not feel uncomfortable about it, but that doesn't mean they don't.  

[Areashine]

Hey, you'll be the one laughing when the develop skin cancer and you don't! I'm kidding, that would still be very bad. But honestly, I wouldn't worry about how you look so long as you are comfortable with what you are doing. You're helping your health, so that's all that matters.