“Your Umbrella is Not a Kite or a Weapon”
June 8, 2024
Beach season has officially begun as of Memorial Day in the U.S., and along with its opening comes expert suggestions as to proper beach etiquette. We may not think that open, natural spaces of beauty require stated manners, like having high tea with the Royal Family might. But etiquette experts suggest that following certain guidelines can ensure a pleasant beach experience for yourself and those around you. Rules such as:
1.Respect other beachgoers by keeping noise levels at a reasonable volume
2. Keep your belongings contained within your own space
3. Clean up after yourself by disposing of your trash in designated bins
4. Be mindful of your music volume and consider using headphones
5. Do not feed the seagulls
And then there is the one I take umbrage with—”Keep in mind that your umbrella is not a kite or a weapon.” I sympathize with violators of this code of conduct because often this is more an act of God than an intentional violation. How many times have you dug a hole to the core of the earth, placed your umbrella in it, and then shored it up with mounds of sand and a sand anchor, only to have an unexpected gust of wind sweep in and unearth your umbrella? There goes your umbrella, bouncing up and down between the sea air and sand, and crashing into people and their possessions along its path. No matter what we do to secure our umbrellas, they often become runaway kites and weapons of war!
The truth is that if you’re attending a crowded beach this summer, you are likely to encounter all sorts of annoying behavior, some of which can be controlled, some not so much. But by doing your best to practice sunny beach etiquette, you can ensure a relaxing and enjoyable day at the beach for yourself and those around you. So pack your headphones and a trash bag, grab a real kite to fly and head to the beach and enjoy yourself.
1 Corinthians 10:24 – “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”