The first really big city I was ever in was Philadelphia, on my way to the Peace Corps. As I walked the bustling streets, gawking at the tall buildings, I remembered something our Lutheran pastor back home had told us in Sunday School. A man had gone to the big city and, to keep his wallet safe, was carrying it in the inside breast pocket of his jacket. At one point he felt uneasy and touched it to check it, and instead he found a man's hand there! Well! So later when some random dude on the street tried to offer me "wrestling lessons" (actual dialogue"
"No, sorry, I can't sign up for any lessons, I'm leaving for the Peace Corps in a week." "How old ARE you?" "I'm 21!" "Ah, a 21 year old with the face of a 15 year old!" I was insulted.) When I demurred, he grabbed for my wallet in my back pocket, but I was ready for that and too quick for him. It wasn't until about 30 years later that I finally realized it wasn't my wallet he was after.
When I was old enough to carry my own wallet, probably around age 9, I put it in my front right pocket because that was where it felt most comfortable. Also because I am right handed. (My father, born the same year as James's father, was a back pocket man.)
I continued carrying it in the front pocket until I was in my mid-20s, when a couple of co-workers found it necessary to treat me like a pariah because of it. For a couple of weeks I tried sticking it in my back pocket. It pressed against my sciatic nerve and made me feel like my legs were becoming paralyzed. Back to the front pocket it went, and has remained ever since.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. I’m like your Dad (I’m 70) and feel exactly as you describe him. My son, age 38, he is a front pocket guy. My wife asked why I was smiling as I was reading this article. Great stuff.
I started carrying my wallet in my shirt pocket while on a field problem in Korea. Everywhere you went you had to show your ID. Finally gave up reaching for my back pocket and I've carried it in my shirt pocket for, oh, at least 35 years.
right front. couple of credit cards (apple, Costco) health ins card, drivers license. $48 or so when I have cash. Kids give me a new one every 5 - 7 seven years when it wears out. But now since I work from home (still) I dont think it will ever wear out since it doesn't get daily use. Another faded technology headed for the historical dustbin.
Thin wallet, back left here. Minimal necessary cards, some cash (generally use Apple Pay) and bandaids, being a Dad now GranDad. But might try out front left, if only to confuse my enemies. Except if I have cargo pockets, it goes there.
Since I tend to dress like either a 1940s banker or a park ranger, the wallet generally either goes in the left inside pocket of my sport coat, or left cargo pocket of shorts. Rear pockets are generally reserved for a handkerchief on the left and Field Notes notebook on right. Anything thicker than that, and I have to pull it out when sitting down.
I was a back right man most of my life but between the possibility of pickpockets, gaining weight and driving more I switch to the right front a few decades back. I hated getting into the car and having, as James says, a novel in my back pocket. I also switched to a slimmer wallet and got rid of a lot of stuff, cards ( of which I have too many) and cash, pictures are on my phone.
Remember the fate of the Florentine pick-pocket in "Hannibal"? Ah, sweet karma.
Anyway, front left pocket for me. Easier to defend against thieves than a rear pocket. DL, ATM, too much cash. Always preferred smaller, slimmer wallets or card cases. My most beloved Coach bifold (a gift from my most beloved daughter) barely lasted 20 years. I still intend to get it repaired/restored by the manufacturer one of these days...
Used to be a rear left pocket habitue (like dad) but the wear on the pant's material go to be too much.
Beautiful piece- made me miss my dad (back pocket), stepdad (BP), and James' dad too who was such a fixture on The Bleat over the years.
My first husband had a wallet with a chain. Made it very difficult when I tried to steal it.
The first really big city I was ever in was Philadelphia, on my way to the Peace Corps. As I walked the bustling streets, gawking at the tall buildings, I remembered something our Lutheran pastor back home had told us in Sunday School. A man had gone to the big city and, to keep his wallet safe, was carrying it in the inside breast pocket of his jacket. At one point he felt uneasy and touched it to check it, and instead he found a man's hand there! Well! So later when some random dude on the street tried to offer me "wrestling lessons" (actual dialogue"
"No, sorry, I can't sign up for any lessons, I'm leaving for the Peace Corps in a week." "How old ARE you?" "I'm 21!" "Ah, a 21 year old with the face of a 15 year old!" I was insulted.) When I demurred, he grabbed for my wallet in my back pocket, but I was ready for that and too quick for him. It wasn't until about 30 years later that I finally realized it wasn't my wallet he was after.
When I was old enough to carry my own wallet, probably around age 9, I put it in my front right pocket because that was where it felt most comfortable. Also because I am right handed. (My father, born the same year as James's father, was a back pocket man.)
I continued carrying it in the front pocket until I was in my mid-20s, when a couple of co-workers found it necessary to treat me like a pariah because of it. For a couple of weeks I tried sticking it in my back pocket. It pressed against my sciatic nerve and made me feel like my legs were becoming paralyzed. Back to the front pocket it went, and has remained ever since.
“ I’m surprised he was surprised. Sensible men had “front,” of course. Diehard traditionalists had “back”.”
Reflecting the generational decline in trust. Or confidence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. I’m like your Dad (I’m 70) and feel exactly as you describe him. My son, age 38, he is a front pocket guy. My wife asked why I was smiling as I was reading this article. Great stuff.
I started carrying my wallet in my shirt pocket while on a field problem in Korea. Everywhere you went you had to show your ID. Finally gave up reaching for my back pocket and I've carried it in my shirt pocket for, oh, at least 35 years.
And don't forget the business cards. Always enough business cards to prop up Spain.
I'm usually a back left pocket guy, but on the recent trip to NYC, I switched to front left out oif an abundance of caution.
Editor's Note: East St. Louis is in Illinois, not Missouri.
That was one of my questions do left-handed guys use the back left pocket? I never noticed.
I am a righty but use back left.
Right back pocket except for when I went to the city (NY.) 1980s NY was untrustworthy.
My right front pocket has keys, hanky and Swiss Army knife.
right front. couple of credit cards (apple, Costco) health ins card, drivers license. $48 or so when I have cash. Kids give me a new one every 5 - 7 seven years when it wears out. But now since I work from home (still) I dont think it will ever wear out since it doesn't get daily use. Another faded technology headed for the historical dustbin.
Right front pocket. Never been to NYC, don't plan to. Still think paranoia is a useful thing. A simple cheap leather Walmart wallet.
Back-pocket wallet felt like I was giving myself scoliosis, so I've carried something resembling a murse since I was in high-school. Works for me.
Thin wallet, back left here. Minimal necessary cards, some cash (generally use Apple Pay) and bandaids, being a Dad now GranDad. But might try out front left, if only to confuse my enemies. Except if I have cargo pockets, it goes there.
Since I tend to dress like either a 1940s banker or a park ranger, the wallet generally either goes in the left inside pocket of my sport coat, or left cargo pocket of shorts. Rear pockets are generally reserved for a handkerchief on the left and Field Notes notebook on right. Anything thicker than that, and I have to pull it out when sitting down.
I was a back right man most of my life but between the possibility of pickpockets, gaining weight and driving more I switch to the right front a few decades back. I hated getting into the car and having, as James says, a novel in my back pocket. I also switched to a slimmer wallet and got rid of a lot of stuff, cards ( of which I have too many) and cash, pictures are on my phone.
Remember the fate of the Florentine pick-pocket in "Hannibal"? Ah, sweet karma.
Anyway, front left pocket for me. Easier to defend against thieves than a rear pocket. DL, ATM, too much cash. Always preferred smaller, slimmer wallets or card cases. My most beloved Coach bifold (a gift from my most beloved daughter) barely lasted 20 years. I still intend to get it repaired/restored by the manufacturer one of these days...
Used to be a rear left pocket habitue (like dad) but the wear on the pant's material go to be too much.