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.
Uhhhhh.
Keys, wallet, and phones. Is all I do. Unless it is actually winter then I have gloves too.
This, except also a quarter for an Aldi shopping cart.
That’s in the wallet.
We just leave one in each car.
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.
I rarely actually use them, but I was a Boy Scout so I like to be prepared, just in case. The screwdrivers on both and wrenches on the wallet one come in handy more often than anything, but I also have scissors and a knife on the keychain one.
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???
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.
None. The secret to dealing with other people is to live somewhere where there really aren’t other people around.
infrastructure fail stuff
Living remotely induces one to already have solutions in place. I pump my own water from a ground spring. No water bill to speak of. Electricity is always at risk of outage, so I run a generator regularly, and with lots of battery fail-over devices.
If something happened out in clown town that caused a national grid failure, I would just assume it’s just another outage from trees getting pruned by mother nature.
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.
I definitely want to visit! I subscribe to a few Japan travel channels on YouTube and have been itching to go for ages.
Don’t underestimate the weather, though. It’s terrible in summer, unless you’re up on some mountain or at the Russian border. Spring and fall are great, though.
What’s up with the hand towel? Both you and OP had one in Japan.
Public restrooms typically don’t have paper towels or hand dryers.
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
I always carry a water bottle with me, no matter what the situation.
In a daily outing bag, I also always carry bandages, Vaseline, nail clippers, pepper spray, phone, glasses cleaning cloth, a portable charging bank/handwarmer, and a small stuffed animal (for emotional support).
I should start carrying sunscreen, but I 100% always spill things in my bag— be it ink, drink, or anything else.
For anyone reading this: purchase an Owala water bottle!! I don’t recommend brands often, but as someone who used to be chronically dehydrated AND always spilling shit: get an Owala. It has a lid that opens with a button push, a very good carrying handle that doubles as a button-guard when down, an easy to clean lid with removable/replaceable parts, and you can choose between swigging it or sipping it up without a straw!! I hate putting my mouth on straws, so that was a great option (even though I only swig lol— but the straw is inside the waterbottle). I’ve had mine for 2 to 3 years now, and apparently they’re popular now. Seriously, 100% recommend them. Only real downside is they are a bit too large for some cupholders and they can’t hold hot liquids, but that’s it.
Stay hydrated.
Since I’m in the US where public transportation is next to nonexistent outside of maybe 5 cities, I (and the overwhelming majority of Americans) are cheating since we can EDC a hell of a lot of things in our cars. My pockets have 3-4 items max, but I consider my vehicle my home away from home, and if I’m away from home more than a night I pack her to the gills.
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.
I wear pants, and shoes. Sometimes a jacket. If the weather is bad enough to require more than that, I stay home.
I always carry around a backpack with:
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- wet wipes
- hand sanitizer
- powerbank
- notebook
- pen
- umbrella or rain jacket
- chewing gums
- sugarcubes
- water
I hate being without stuff I need, so I always carry around a backpack. I just always keep stuff in it so I don’t forget it. At the moment the core kit is:
- At least 1L of water, usually 2L+.
- Hand sanitiser for the inevitable moment the public washroom is out of soap.
- Re-usable shopping bags in case I buy something.
- An energy bar or two in case I have to stay at work late.
- Nail clippers (having a broken nail at work sucks).
- Band-aids.
- A mask in case anywhere requires it, but this one has definitely seen less use over time.
- Deodorant, because sometimes I forget to apply it before I leave in the morning…
- Hand lotion for winter when my hands crack.
- And finally, a charging cable for my phone.
If it’s likely to rain and I’ll be outside longer than 15m I will add an umbrella to the mix.
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
