DEAR MISS MANNERS: I suffer from a debilitating medical condition where I can’t function in the heat for more than a couple minutes. If I am in the heat any longer, the symptoms I suffer are severe. It’s so bad that I was diagnosed with a disability.

To offer a slight reprieve from the sun, when walking between buildings at work or in parking lots, I use a sun umbrella. When doing this, I often receive rude comments from people inquiring, “When is the rain coming?” or something similar, or even worse.

What would be an appropriate response to these comments or questions?

GENTLE READER: “It’s a parasol, silly!”

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com ; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews M

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