Moved here a few months ago from a place where it barely rains. I keep noticing that as soon as the drizzle stops, people don't close their umbrellas. They walk with them open, held low, and the little metal tips are right at my eye level. I'm tallish so maybe that's why? Is this just a thing here? Do you just duck or do people actually say something? I tried weaving but it's impossible on narrow sidewalks. Also, is there a rule about closing when you go under scaffolding? I saw a guy keep his open under a sidewalk bridge and it was chaos. Help a newbie out.

Welcome, big_city_beth. It's not just your height. The real issue is that many people tilt their umbrellas forward like a jousting lance, especially after the rain eases and they forget they're still holding a weapon. The basic rules I learned after years of commuting:

• Close your umbrella when the rain stops, not when you reach your destination.
• Close it before stepping under scaffolding, an awning, or into a subway entrance. The metal tip can catch on the low beams and snap back.
• If you must keep it open in a crowd, hold it high and tilt it slightly away from oncoming foot traffic, not toward it.
• In a narrow passage, point it up like a chimney, not forward.

I once took a rib shot from one of those giant golf umbrellas outside Grand Central. The owner didn't even notice. When I said "excuse me," she looked at me like I'd insulted her dog. So my approach now is defensive: I lower my own umbrella, keep my free hand up at shoulder level as a guard, and say "watch the tip" in a calm voice. Most people genuinely don't realize where their umbrella ends. You don't have to be rude, just firm. If someone is coming at you with an open umbrella and not looking, stop walking and let them pass. Better a two-second pause than a trip to urgent care for a scratched cornea.

oldyork_otis nailed it about the lance thing! The real danger is those automatic-open umbrellas with the sharp metal point that pops out when you press the button. I've been poked in the forehead twice on 7th Ave between 42nd and 43rd, right where the scaffolding creates that narrow tunnel. It's a war zone during a drizzle because half the people don't close them under the bridge!

Have you tried the palm-down signal? When I see someone coming at me with an open umbrella at face level, I press my palm flat toward the ground and say "head level" or just point at the tip. About half the time they raise it or tilt it away. The other half look confused and keep walking. But honestly, the best trick is to walk with your arm extended slightly, like you're parting a curtain. It creates a little buffer zone.

Also, can we talk about people who shake their wet umbrella on the subway platform and soak everyone? There's a special place for them, and it's the back of the bus with the window open.

Thanks oldyork_otis and RiverdaleRambler! I tried the palm-down signal today on 8th Ave and it actually worked on one person — she tilted her umbrella up and said sorry. Another guy just looked at me like I was directing traffic. I also started tilting my own umbrella more toward the sky and it definitely helps.

One thing I still don't get: what do you do with a wet umbrella on a crowded bus? I folded mine and held it against my leg, but I still dripped on someone's shoe. Is there a secret move, or do you just accept the wet leg?