Repair it easily!
Welcome to Miss Thang's Umbrella Repair Column
Dear Miss Thang,

I have a girlfriend who's leaving the country for a year to study in France. She lent me her umbrella, but the fabric tore off, from one of the plastic tips that grabs into the end of the umbrella's ribs (or is it called "spline"). This umbrella was a gift from her late father, and she has a great sentimental attachment to it. She  really like me, but this ripped umbrella could turn her off. But I don't know if I can handle a long distance relationship, either. She's twenty-one years old, and I'm twenty-three. She's my second girlfriend I've ever had. Should I  try to repair this priceless umbrella, so we can stay together?

The biggest problem is that there isn't any shop I know of that repair torn fabric tip connections on umbrellas! I can't find any "umbrella repair kit" offered anywhere in our city!

Sincerely,
Young and yearning,
in Yahoo, CA.
Dear  Young and yearning,

That's a toughie, and you're going to have to do some thinking. Whatever you decide, don't do the halfsies thing, where you still are sorta together, but sorta seeing other people. You two will just end up hurting each other.

I do know of an umbrella repair kit, or Do It Yourself (DIY) plan offered online, or at least in an online auction, for the price of a cup of latte..: 

Furthermore, don't fall prey to that wasteful thinking that goes like this: "Umbrellas are so cheap today, they are a throw away commodity."

If you're head over heels crazy about her, and you want her in your life for a long time,  try to stay in touch, but watch your phone bill!

If you're too uncertain, call things off for now. You know what they say, "if you love somebody, set them free." And if they come back to you, then it was meant to be. If they don't, then you were meant to move on to someone new!

You two are still young, and people change quite a bit at that age, especially when someone travels somewhere distant.

Good luck!

Miss Thang
Featured Dilemma:
How can I get an umbrella repaired?
Virtual Tourist Diary, Mianmar: "It is natural that umbrellas sell well in the rainy season. Some people buy new umbrella if one breaks. They generally have their umbrellas mended. Due to raising prices of umbrellas, umbrella repair shops have a lot of work to do before and during the rainy season. A repair costs 50 Kyats to 200 Kyats. Most Myanmar believe that if they lose and umbrella, it takes back bad luck from the owner. It is just consloation."
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Photos of Repaired Umbrella