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)
  • zephorah@lemm.ee
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    5 months ago

    As an American who drives a truck, this is moot. I have a full set of clothes, winter outer wear, a jug of water, a canister of peanuts, a blanket, a shovel, trauma sheers, a leatherman, a sun hat, to walking poles, a Midwest level scraper/brush, an air pump for my tires that plugs into the lighter, full spare, spark plugs, an extendable magnet, 10k lumen light that plugs into the cigarette lighter to charge if need be, tweezers, nail clipper, eyeglass repair, a paper book of maps for all 50 states, and a spare toothbrush.

    Probably forgot some things. My truck is essentially my purse.

      • zephorah@lemm.ee
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        5 months ago

        Lol, it’s not a dodge RAM. To be fair, I travel for work sometimes. And I do haul in my truck, complete with added trailer which is a piece of rural living. I’ve never rolled coal or gunned it on a residential street.

        • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          it’s not a dodge RAM

          They said Walmart, not the liquor store.

          I also drive a truck with the same stuff as you under the back seat. I use it to haul stuff and work around my buddy’s ranch on occasion. It’s not diesel so I couldn’t roll coal with it if I wanted to (nor do I want to).

          I need a trailer rarely enough that I’ll rent one if I’ve gotta haul more than will fit in the bed.

  • slazer2au@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Uhhhhh.

    Keys, wallet, and phones. Is all I do. Unless it is actually winter then I have gloves too.

    • CM400@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Same, but I pared my wallet down to my just DL and one card. I don’t like carrying shit around for no reason anymore.

  • fireweed@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    It really depends on mode of transportation, especially if a car is involved or not. I suspect a number of people in this thread are folks who drive most/all places and aren’t including all the stuff they have stashed in their cars, available if needed. Also, driving means minimal exposure to the elements, so even less stuff is needed to stay comfortable/presentable than if you are walking, biking, waiting at transit stations, etc.

    As a former Tokyo resident I’ll also add that I used to carry a folding fan around with me in summer when I lived there, but I have no need in the US where air conditioning is so prevalent (to the point of overuse). I also stopped needing a fan so much, regardless of temperature, when living in less humid places.

    Also, shocked more people aren’t mentioning a water bottle. I bring a reusable water bottle with me any time I have to leave the house for more than a couple of hours, especially if I’m cycling somewhere but even if I’m driving. How are y’all staying hydrated sans water bottle???

  • JoeKrogan@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    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

  • Blue@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Phone, wallet and keys most of the time, plus backpack with rain coat and water bottle if it’s for an extended time.

  • edric@lemm.ee
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    5 months ago

    Most of the stuff I carry have already been mentioned so I’ll just add the ones not a lot of people carry:

    • hand sanitizer
    • a small travel vial of liquid soap
    • a couple of squares of toilet paper rolled up

    All of those including the standard phone, keys, wallet, etc. all fit in a small handbag that I wear across my chest.

    Sometimes if I know I’ll be out in hot weather, I bring water in an insulated container. I also have a small bag that specifically has a pocket for water bottles.

  • Humanius@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Keys (house, car, bike), phone, wallet,… swiss army knife, handkerchief.
    And during the pandemic a fabric face mask.

    It all fits in my pockets

    Then dependent on the weather I will bring sunglasses or an umbrella.
    I check Buienradar (Dutch rain forecast app) to see whether I’m going to need that.

    And sometimes, depending on what I will be doing, earbuds

  • Bilbo_Haggins@lemm.ee
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    5 months ago

    I have a “mom” sized pocketbook that I carry around and it always has the following:

    • Band aids, nail clipper, and aquaphor tube
    • Eye drops
    • Wallet, phone, keys
    • Masks
    • Earbuds
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Sunglasses
    • Small fidget toy
    • Folding hairbrush
    • Hair ties
    • Small sunscreen stick, chapstick
    • Pen
    • Set of plastic cutlery
    • Pill case with some commonly needed pills like Tylenol, Claritin, etc

    If it’s sunny I’ll bring a sun umbrella and a hat, both of which can fit in the bag in a pinch. If it’s raining, just the umbrella. It’s not a perfect system but some things (especially the band aids and fidget) come in handy pretty often

  • insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, tissues, pen, paper, fold up scissors, toothpicks, mask (respirator), hand sanitiser, plasters, shopping bag, mints.

  • cm0002@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    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

  • Buglefingers@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    The clothes I’m wearing, wallet, phone (sometimes a second), and usually keys as well. Depending on outdoors or not, sunglasses.

    Unless I’m doing something specifically the would require more, that’s about it.

  • udon@lemmy.worldOP
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    5 months ago

    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”