I got annoyed recently when I wanted to leave the house and noticed my bag was half full just with stuff to deal with weather. In Tokyo, I usually carry an umbrella with me, maybe sunscreen, sunglasses, a mini towel etc. Others have fans, “neck fans” (not sure how they are called). Maybe a water bottle also counts.
All of this is “weather stuff” for me. I asked a friend what she carries around, and we started to think about some other categories as well. So I wondered how much of the stuff we carry around is actually about the thing we want to do wherever we go, and how much is just to cope with the environment? Also, I would be curious how this looks like in other places around the world. Things probably vary by gender, age, season as well.
Some categories are:
- weather stuff
- personal hygiene stuff
- safety stuff
- not being annoyed by others stuff
- infrastructure fail stuff (e.g., preparing for when trains get delayed)
As little as possible. The only things I always take with me are my phone and my keys. I generally look at the weather report and only take an umbrella with me if there’s a chance of rain. I only take my wallet if I’m going somewhere where I might buy something etc.
Phone, wallet, pocket knife, ear buds.
Phone on one side, keys (as few as possible) on the other. Perhaps a tissue.
Nothing. My car has AC and I can buy cold water anywhere. There’s an umbrella in my car though.
I used to live in the desert. So on me, water bottle and sun block. In my car, water and a blanket.
Looking at the majority of the replies I see some meme potential (no offense):
Dude irl: “I only carry the minimal”
Dude in games: “This is my 5000 ton backpack with 50 health potions, a bunch of plant leaves, 2 axes, 3 bows, 4 swords (1 of them cursed), a few scrolls and runestones; some bread, cheese, milk, apples, glasses of beer; and a map”
Phone, ereader, wallet, car key, AirPods
I use a neck fan at work, but I definitely don’t need one outside that. I have plenty of emergency stuff in my car, and more in a backpack I sometimes bring (usually to carry a switch or steamdeck, sometimes a laptop).
Phone, wallet, keys, small ballpoint pen, watch, sunglasses and bt earbuds.
Sunglasses are magnetic and clip on to my glasses.Phone,keys, wallet generally. If its going to rain I bring an umbrella. If its hot I put in cream. If im bringing a bag I bring a bottle of water
Phone, wallet and keys most of the time, plus backpack with rain coat and water bottle if it’s for an extended time.
A bunny hug, keys, and phone/wallet combo. I’d carry less, but I’m already at the bare minimum.
Personally I think you are overdoing it OP.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/good-question-bunny-hug-1.7125965 explains what a bunny hug is: a word for hooded sweatshirt that people from Saskatchewan use.
Phone, wallet, keys
I don’t even own an umbrella or sunglasses, I might have a bottle of sunscreen…somewhere…
Though I do wear a hoodie year-round, so if it rains I just put my hood up
I think it’s wild that you carry so much stuff, especially since it sounds like you primarily walk and take trains being in Tokyo and all
Do you check the weather first? Are you really going to be outside enough on a day you need an umbrella to also need sunscreen?
Not sure where you live, but weather differs around this big bol we’re on. Days with 38°C during lunch break and massive rain during evening commute are not uncommon in Tokyo
You can use the umbrella on sunny days to protect yourself from direct sunlight.
If I’m generally our and about, phone, wallet, keys, phone charging cable, a pen, anything else I need can be acquired as I need it.
It’s also functionally ECD is my backpack, mainly because I use it to carry my laptop with me wherever I’m likely to need it, like work, or class, or to carry a bunch of stuff like MtG decks for an MtG event, or clothes if I’m spending a night at a friend’s house.
I live in the US and its very car centric here. It’s rare that I’m ever more than a few minutes away from a source of water or food, I keep an umbrella in my car, it has AC to keep me cool, if it’s chilly out I wear a jacket.
Sunglasses, cap, jumper, coat (which one varies depending on time of year). Then phone, keys, loose change and a plectrum in my pockets.
