Is parasol a good gadget to stay cool walking around the city and parks?
I've only seen parasols being used in movies, cartoons and other artistic media, but extremely rarely in real life. Somehow it feels like I would look ridiculous with one in hand walking around the town while the sun is scorching. But I'm willing to ignore the supposedly negative public reaction (I'm unsure, because I've never seen anybody talk about how they perceive people carrying parasols during sunny days) if it means I'm gonna have a much easier time under the sun's heat.
With embarrassment out of the way, what kind of parasol is the best for carrying in the somewhat busy city streets (to avoid discomforting others) and parks where there's plenty of space around you? What color? Knowing that white reflects the heat and the light, and black absorbs them, which color would be optimal? Are there parasols with aluminium or plastic foil plating to increase the reflective effect? Or can I just use a regular umbrella instead of finding a true parasol? Are parasols even effective against the heat and UV rays?
In short, how do I attain the ultimate parasol experience?
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Parasols might be out of style in most countries, but they are still fairly popular in some Asian countries, where people try to get as little tan as possible. E.g. Japan and China. So I suppose they must be protecting from the sun, and possibly also from the heat. Almost all parasols I have seen were white or had other fair colors, which makes sence, since lighter colors reflect sun better.
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A parasol being used in the city is likely to annoy people when they either get stabbed in the face by one of the ribs, or have to take avoiding action to prevent said stabbing.
This is generally why people don't really use them any more. I guess that people are more accustomed to seeing umbrellas when it's raining, so don't mind so much.
If you have to have one, then get one that blocks light and gives you shade. Black wouldn't transmit the heat to you - if anything, it'll just make the shade part a little warmer to hold.
Or just use a hat like most other folks.
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The OP asks: How do I attain the ultimate parasol experience?
First, get a beautiful parasol, one that Madame Butterfly would be proud to carry. Second, develop your evasive techniques, raising and or tilting the parasol when you are headed for a close encounter. Third, remember that on scorching days, many people will envy you. You are a trend-setter: as hot days get hotter and more frequent, parasols will come into fashion.
You, with a parasol that you can control, are less of a nuisance on a city street than a very slow-walking person laden with enormous packages sticking out fore and aft, left and right. You are positively benign compared with motorized scooters and dockless bikes left at random places on sidewalks. You are esthetically far superior to (most) people who fight the heat by taking off most of their clothes.
One thing to remember: you will get significant UV rays by reflection from below, so you may want to put on sunscreen in addition to carrying the parasol.
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