Why does every tourist have a backpack

[Anonymous]

I carry a backpack for my family with water, snacks, sunblock, my camera, phone and keys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we need a catchall thread for:

Why do others do this (completely reasonable thing if I take a second to think about others needs) thing I have decided is distasteful for no discernable reason?

+1 can't imagine caring that other ppl wear backpacks?!

I personally prefer a large cross body or tote but it's obvious why backpacks are appealing!

Also many of us don't want our pockets crammed with a million things

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Vision of lumpy OP and husband bulging all over with stuffed pockets, all to avoid looking like mOronS with bAckPacks!



Thanks for the laugh, OP.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we need a catchall thread for:

Why do others do this (completely reasonable thing if I take a second to think about others needs) thing I have decided is distasteful for no discernable reason?

+1 can't imagine caring that other ppl wear backpacks?!

I personally prefer a large cross body or tote but it's obvious why backpacks are appealing!

Also many of us don't want our pockets crammed with a million things

Agree and the fact that women’s clothing often lacks pockets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Sit down OP. I'm going to share a secret.




Other people do things differently.

I carry water, meds, two inhalers, my wallet, my phone, sunscreen, a small snack, and whatever else I might need. A lot of my clothes don't have pockets that will hold anything.

[Anonymous]

Why isn’t everyone in the world just like me? Waaaaa!

[Anonymous]

Must be fun for OP & spouse every time they go through security in a museum requiring that pockets be emptied.

OP, you don’t drink water all day? Or you stop frequently to buy it?

[Anonymous]

I've traveled the world, with kids and husband, on my own and with friends. I ALWAYS take a back pack. Sometimes, I decide to take a different route. Hop on a train and go to a different city. I carry just enough to get by for a few days wherever I end up.

I guess if you stay only in large cities, at high end hotels and cab to your location and back without really viewing your locations, you can get by with pesto and a battery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

I really doubt this. Or if all over the world the OP means North America.

[Anonymous]

rain poncho, water bottle, sweater or jacket, glasses

[Anonymous]

I’m not OP but I have a personal pet peeve about people wearing backpacks in public transport and other crowded areas because they turn around and hit short people in the face. You have to front it, or carry it by your side in crowded areas.

We always used a backpack when the kids were little because there were so many little things we needed. Now that they are teens I only use the backpack if we are taking a day trip on a train or something and want to bring books, an umbrella, etc. I use a cross body that will fit my glasses and small sunscreen etc. for our last trip I also bought a couple of the shopping bags that fold down to a little square that I hitched onto my bag. They were great to have to throw in little extras we might pick up through the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Walking around in the city you carry pepto and a small foldable bag?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not OP but I have a personal pet peeve about people wearing backpacks in public transport and other crowded areas because they turn around and hit short people in the face. You have to front it, or carry it by your side in crowded areas.

We always used a backpack when the kids were little because there were so many little things we needed. Now that they are teens I only use the backpack if we are taking a day trip on a train or something and want to bring books, an umbrella, etc. I use a cross body that will fit my glasses and small sunscreen etc. for our last trip I also bought a couple of the shopping bags that fold down to a little square that I hitched onto my bag. They were great to have to throw in little extras we might pick up through the day.

I have a pet peeve of people who stand to close to me in the metro.

[Anonymous]

I carry a backpack or cross bag to run to Tysons. Medicine, epipen, sunglasses, reading classes are essentials, I like to carry a charger since life depends on a phone — and usually toss in a tablet or kindle in case I get stuck somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Good for you!