The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STATUS SYMBOL

IN ENGLAND, A PROPER GENTLEMAN CAN ALWAYS BE
SPOTTED BY LOOKING AT HIS UMBRELLA. IF THERE IS DUST
COLLECTED IN THE FOLDS, THEN YOU KNOW HE IS A TRUE
GENTLEMEN-HIS UMBRELLA(OR BROLLY) HAS NEVER BEEN
OPENED;IT IS STILL IN ITS ORGINAL SHEATH,AS WHEN HE
PURCHASED IT. THE REGULAR FOLK ACTUALLY USE THEIR
THEIR UMBRELLAS-HE DOES NOT. IT IS A PURE, UNTAINTED STATUS
SYMBOL. IF IT RAINS HIS COURSE OF ACTION IS OBVIOUS:
HE PUTS ON HIS MACK BUT WILL NEVER OPEN THAT BUMBERSHOOT.

Where learned: ENGLAND

Date learned: 09-00-1983