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 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.
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.
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.
Have you ever been outside of Los Angeles? Some places in America, this kind of kit is worth the insurance and peace of mind.
I’ve never been to Los Angeles or any other place in the US for that matter. I was just trying to be funny.
This is one thing I miss about having a truck. All the room for bugout equipment. I downsized recently, and had to greatly downsize my kit too.
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.
Uhhhhh.
Keys, wallet, and phones. Is all I do. Unless it is actually winter then I have gloves too.
Spectacles, testicles, wallet, and watch. Well, and a pocket knife. But that’s likely because I drive everywhere, and am currently in America.
To chime in, when I spent a few months in Osaka, I definitely carried more. Backpack, hand towel, change holder, plastic trashbag, pen, paper, deodorant (as to not offend Japanese folk, being a Westerner not used to the humidity), etc.
So maybe it’s very much a locale thing?
I guess it’s local, it only became so apparent to me some time after moving to Japan. It’s also interesting how the types of things to prepare for change. In Japan, I think it’s mostly about weather. No need for safety measures, food and drinks everywhere and cheap, clean and reliable infrastructure (toilets, trains, everything, basically). People are also mindful about the noise they make, so even earplugs are not necessary.
In Germany it’s different. Weather is not so much of a concern, but I used to carry a basic pack of stuff with me in case I crashed at a friend’s place. This doesn’t happen here very often, and cheap hotels or manga cafes often have basics like toothbrushes etc.
In Japan, I think it’s mostly about weather. No need for safety measures, food and drinks everywhere and cheap, clean and reliable infrastructure (toilets, trains, everything, basically). People are also mindful about the noise they make, so even earplugs are not necessary.
Things like this make me really want to move to Japan. But then some basic things like not being able to carry a pocket knife turn me off of the idea.
If you haven’t visited, you definitely should. It’s really an amazing country, and you will hardly miss your pocket knife.
Wallet, keys, phone, cigarettes, lighter.
Though I do have a multi tool in my wallet and another on my key chain.
I always wonder about the multi tool people. That seems super popular, but I never see a need for it. What do you use it for? Multiple things? 🥁
Personal hygiene is one big reason for me, though obviously there are smaller options than a full multitool like a small Swiss army knife. I just need a small pair of scissors on me 24/7, that’s not negotiable.
Having a basic screwdriver always with me also helps from time to time. Sometimes as a screwdriver, sometimes as a small crowbar.
Ironically, the first thing I would ditch from my multitools and Swiss army knives would be the blade. Scissors do most things I need just as well or better, and the blade is just a liability in lots of jurisdictions.
