Carrying a bag

[noname]

It wasn't long ago I started to carry a bag. ( ok black purse ) I love it, I am no longer running around the house trying to find my keys, wallet, etc.. I have also found it's great to carry items when you need to, and it's also great for pens and paper. I'm shocked at the convience of having something with you, when you didn't expect you would need it.

Anyway, to the point. Has any store asked you to leave your bag with them. I had to go into the video store and guy automatically started to ask for my bag. Then he saw the size and was like, uhhh.... errr.. aa.. sir.. umm... then he just dropped it. Isn't this sexual discrimination? I see women with very large bags that gap open. I'm sure they would ask women for their bags if they thought they could get away with it. Has anyone refused to hand over your bag? I certainly wouldn't. Yeah.... Here hold me bag with all my credit cards and money and check book. Yeah right! I dunno, I'm kind of upset anyone would consider asking for my bag. I'm not the suing type and never have, but I'd be tempted to drop a big fat lawsuit.

I'm still trying to figure out why carring a bag is for women. Why on earth would having something to hold your personal items be gender restricted by society?

[Rachel Morley]

I'm still trying to figure out why carrying a bag is for women. Why on earth would having something to hold your personal items be gender restricted by society?
That's a good question. I guess it's not the "having something to hold your personal possessions in" that is the problem it's the type of bag and how it looks that cause the problem. Bit like wrapping a large towel around your waist in the summer is not the same as wearing a sarong.

[Naomi]

It wasn't long ago I started to carry a bag. ( ok black purse ) I love it, I am no longer running around the house trying to find my keys, wallet, etc.. I have also found it's great to carry items when you need to, and it's also great for pens and paper. I'm shocked at the convience of having something with you, when you didn't expect you would need it.

Anyway, to the point. Has any store asked you to leave your bag with them. I had to go into the video store and guy automatically started to ask for my bag. Then he saw the size and was like, uhhh.... errr.. aa.. sir.. umm... then he just dropped it. Isn't this sexual discrimination? I see women with very large bags that gap open. I'm sure they would ask women for their bags if they thought they could get away with it. Has anyone refused to hand over your bag? I certainly wouldn't. Yeah.... Here hold me bag with all my credit cards and money and check book. Yeah right! I dunno, I'm kind of upset anyone would consider asking for my bag. I'm not the suing type and never have, but I'd be tempted to drop a big fat lawsuit.

I'm still trying to figure out why carring a bag is for women. Why on earth would having something to hold your personal items be gender restricted by society?

well the only incident ive ever had that comes anywhere near to yours is i was once asked to remove my baseball cap. Now this may well sound ridiculus to the American readers here but here in the Uk . Hoodie wearing youngsters who also wear baseball caps are looked upon with much misstrust.
but getting back to your topic, if it was me , with a handbag that wass mine ........ i would have swung for him.......... with the handbag mind.

[rosiegurl]

most stores won't ask to take your bag from you, especially not the bigger ones, reason been once they are holding it, they are responsible for it and it's contents and no store wants to be responsible for the unknown, lots of places have been ripped off like that. give em the bag, get it back and claim paycheck was in it and it's missing now etc.

but to your question, yea it is sexist in a way

[Wendy me]

i have been carrying a bag of sorts for years ... it's practical it's a small red day pack type with a strap for the shoulder and a clutch handle in it is everything and anything you can think of in it .... i have had a few different ones but this one works soooo good... and it goes every were and no one has ever asked for it....

[Joy Carter]

Guy's have pockets and most women don't. Besides how are men ever going to defend the earth against tyrannical robotic space aliens with a purse in their free hand ?:heehee:

[Bobbie cd]

It wasn't always so.
In fact, at various times in different cultures, (including the U.S. at different times), it has been customary for men to carry their possesions in some type of "bag". For much of the 19th century, the American west was frontier country, and most folks did not wear "store bought" clothes and hence usually had no pockets. So, most frontiersmen carried their stuff in a leather bag called a "possibles" bag (probably because it might 'possibly' contain just about anything! :D )
This was usually slung over the body suspended by a leather strap.

[Calliope]

Asking a womyn for her purse is like asking a dude for his wallet - no way, ever. I believe the 'check your bag' protocol applies only to shopping bags. If anyone ever asks for your purse, I'd advise you do the right thing - let the free market know it overstepped the line and march the hell to another store.

:where's the smiley for power to the people: ?

[Cristi]

I find that even in 'drab' I have lots of stuff I have to cary around every day. Between the cell phones, wallet, PDA, digital camera, misc. papers I need for work, some water, a snack for work, lunch (I 'brown bag' it) and a ton of other things I've taken to bringing a 'book bag' type thing back and forth to work with me.

I'm waiting for a co-worker to call me on it and call it my purse...

I wish I COULD bring my purse... I have a great one with lots of room and specialized pockets. Tons of room for makeup and all the sundries.

[danielle d]

i've been a retail store manager for years and it is against the law to take a women s or mans purse from them.this is an invasion of privacy and like the earlier person said you are now responsible for it.even with a shoplifter you can't search their purse unless they give you permission.
danielle d

[Theresa(TGirl)]

that is weird what happened to you.

[Sejd]

You bring up an interesting question. I have become very fond of carying a leather, over the shoulder bag myself. In it, I have my lip stick, small mirror, Mascara, pocket book, check book, keys, etc. It's a brown rectangular leather bag, the kind which is now totally acceptable for a guy to carry in Europe. I love it. I do lool somewhat endrogeneous, but who cares?
Should you start filing lawsuits because of this. My take is, please don't. Too many lawyers make too much money on our inability to handle confrontations. Enjoy your handbag!
hugs
Sejd

[Joy Carter]

Of interest to tall gurls. J C Penny is selling purses that are longer proportioned for taller gals. I never thought that was a problem ?

[noname]

Thanks for feedback. Some have said I should let them have my bag, sorry but that is just not going to happen. I believe I'm equal and demand equal treatment.

danielle, thanks for that info. Would you know if that is for every state or just your home state?

Thanks for the info Joy on Pennys.

[EjayeCD]

I started carrying a bag a few years ago in drab. I have had a few women make jokes about it, so I just turn around & ask them why they con't have a Coach bag like I do.

[telawilson]

Stephen King fans may recall that Roland the Gunslinger carried a purse and called it that.

[noname]

I started carrying a bag a few years ago in drab. I have had a few women make jokes about it, so I just turn around & ask them why they con't have a Coach bag like I do.

Ignore those people. Though I'd be tempted to say something along the lines of their pants making them look fat. I don't though. I had some young lady staring at me smirking yelling out comments to me while I was picking up my pizza for carry out. I just ignored her.