The Crisis & Umbrella Etiquette

The Crisis
The Economic has hit Spain. It's interesting to read the papers and watch the news over here because the headlines are all the same as they are in the U.S. My first week here I saw an article in the paper that was called "How & Where to Find a Job". Then I saw one that said that the rank rates could possibly be lowered to 2%. The news last night was about how the government wants banks to loan out more money. (FYI to Spain, I think the US tried that and it hasn't worked so well.) The Crisis dominates the news and conversation. One of my professors was saying that the unemployment rate in Spain is currently around 12% and could possibly go as high as 18%. 18%! At least it's not that bad in the U.S. (knock on wood). But once again, my being abroad has brought and entire new perspective to something that I kept hearing about in the U.S. and I know see how much more important it is that the U.S. economy improves or at least stabilizes.

Umbrella Etiquette
On to a lighter topic. Over the last two weeks I think it has only not rained about a total of three days. Because I walk all over the place, I have come to learn some umbrella etiquette and am now going to share it with you all.
1. If you are walking with a friend who does not have (or forgot) their umbrella you make room for them under yours. This is pretty much common decency.
2. If you are passing someone who also has an umbrella you either must slightly tip the umbrella away from the other person or lower or raise the umbrella as to not crash umbrellas into one another.
3. If you come to a side walk that can only fit one person and there is a person coming from each direction then....good luck! It's survival of the fittest. This happens more than you may think because the sidewalks here (except on one or two main streets) are quite narrow. They are about one person width and many times you can't step into the street because there is a car. The first few days I just waited for the people to pass, but then I just kept waiting there and finally realized that it's not considered rude to just kind of push your way through, that's the way it goes.
One last word to the wise: If it's raining, no matter where you are, watch out for broken umbrellas with the spokes (that's what I'm calling the metal part) sticking out. Those can catch you anywhere!
:)
Andrea

ps-I posted a few more pics on Facebook.