Wednesday 23 February 2022

The Rucksack generation.

 

What is it about Rucksacks? I've been surprised to see so many people in the street wearing rucksacks on their backs (about 80%) and I can but wonder what they use them for?

Rucksacks used to be the preserve of highland walkers, campers, polar explorers, etc. These days I'm not quite sure what they're for, or why they seem to be so popular.

Firstly, they are ugly. They cannot possibly compare to a quality leather briefcase, if required for carrying office papers.

The one time I properly worked in an office, the only things I carried from train to desk was a pink newspaper and a brolly. There was no need to carry a sleeping bag, tent, or whatever else these people take around with them.

Possible contents: 

Women. Lots of make-up, hairbrushes, curlers, chocolates, gin, loo roll, hat, spare shoes, Hello magazine, small pack of Kleenex, and wallet containing various fitness club membership cards.

Men: Rolled-up Mackintosh, trainers, wind-up torch, Swiss army knife, miniature tool kit, string, mints, tiny Teddy Bear (a gift from a girlfriend), Brute deodorant spray, and chewing gum.

However, I do have my suspicions. Looking at the state of many local buildings, I imagine that most rucksacks contain a comprehensive selection of coloured paint spray cans. For home use only; of course!

58 comments:

  1. A lot of them probably are filled with spray paint cans, but others may contain lunches, books to read during train travel time to and from work, change of clothes if going to a gym, plus they leave both hands free. It is harder also for potential thieves who in the past might run past and snatch a handbag or briefcase for a hand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In much the same way as one never saw pre-mobile phone queues outside public phone boxes, one has to wonder why the need for all those things. When I was younger I never found it necessary to walk around with a bottle of water, a plastic cup of coffee, a phone, headphones, and a rucksack. I had pockets, and if I needed to speak to someone distant, I simply waited until I got to the office, or home.

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  2. Replies
    1. Maybe; but I don't find it necessary to walk around with mine.

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    2. Lots of people have to these days - my human is expected to work from home and carry the computer back and forth to work on the days she is in the office so that it becomes a 'docking station' at work. She also puts her lunch in there (sounds like a dangerous combo) and carries it on her back so both shoulders share the load and it's easier to ride a bike that way.

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  3. I have several rucksacks. They're a great idea for carrying laptops, change of clothes, books, and 1,000 things a woman thinks she needs. Don't know about men. You've got hands free and don't notice the weight.
    However. I soon discovered I hated them. Whatever I needed, purse, tissue, lusts, papers, I had to take the whole thing off, rummage around in the depths and then haul it onto my back again.
    Now I use a small crossover purse and carry essentials only.
    The men around here that use them are athletes. Men don't need bags. Normally

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You always need a few lusts with you 😂

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    2. My wife carries a medium sized black bag with her wherever she goes. A couple of days ago she decided to clean it out. I was amazed by the junk she brought out from its depths. I hardly dared look.

      I myself do have a military looking 'man-bag'. It contains wallet, small change, keys, folded plastic shopping bag, and a pen-n-pad. All 100% essential.

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    3. Actually my husband has the same but he only uses it off the island. Otherwise it's a wallet and keys in a picket

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  4. I think that many people like to be hands free….. that’s why I always have a cross body handbag….. so much easier than carrying a bag. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My man-bag is similar. It's the amount of 'stuff' that these people carry with them that I find so strange.

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    2. Real men call it a haversack.

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  5. Hands free, especially if you have to use a walking stick or have little children. A water bottle, phone, my current read, a spare shopping bag and possibly an umbrella would be in mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rucksacks have been around for generations, so why is it just NOW that everyone uses them for everyday wear?

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  6. A rucksack is much better for your back than anything carried on one shoulder or heavy bag in one hand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe, but that doesn't make them any nicer.

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  7. I'm with local alien here. I found it inconvenient trying to get anything out of a backpack so I always use a cross body bag. It is safer too as anyone could be rummaging about behind me!

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    Replies
    1. I have very little in my bag, so no rummaging required. I agree with you.

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  8. I don't care if mine looks ugly. When it's on my back I can't see it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you keep your Oxo tin, filled with sandwiches, in it?

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  9. I really dislike seeing men in smart suits wearing a backpack, as we call them here.

    Our last holiday, I used two backpacks. One was to carry bathroom things and it was like an extension of a suitcase. The other is smaller and carries a baseball cap, a bottle of tap water, tissues, wet wipes, a camera, a pen, a cigarette lighter for lighting birthday candles, my wallet and phone normally held in my hand, a couple of painkilling tablets in case my arthritis gets bad, a bottle opener, my Kindle, a spare mask, a plastic supermarket bag, an umbrella, reading glasses, keys for home that aren't needed at the time. I add or subtract from my backpack on an as needs basis. I tend not to use it when it is colder and I wear a jacket with lots of pockets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How could I have forgotten the masks!

      I really think the only people who should be allowed to wear rucksacks are school-children. Men in suits with them should be imprisoned.

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  10. I do find you are a tad out of touch with the real world Cro

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  11. I have always travelled 'heavy' and in the 'old days' would have loved to have had the courage to wear a rucksack all the time instead of just when out rambling. Having always been constant a water drinker carrying water instead of constantly asking for a glass when passing pubs and cafés I could have saved time and some strange looks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When travelling I use a 'Flight bag'. Somehow much better, I think.

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  12. Agree with JayCee - anybody with any degree of sleight of hand could rummage about in a backpack but one in front is perfect for me now that I need both hands free to operate my walker,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thieves are everywhere, it's always best to play safe.

      Delete
  13. It tends to be a student thing here (including post-secondary) and then just continues from there. I agree that it might be for a laptop (many of them have a special section designed for just that). As well, it keeps hands free to be able to be on your phone all the time. Sightseers and travellers use them as well. -Jenn

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    Replies
    1. When I went out with the dog this morning, almost everyone I saw had a rucksack; some were carrying them rather than wearing. It's as if they're obsessed.

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  14. I wear a bum-bag, so it cant get snatched. Not that I go anywhere where it might get snatched...I only need something small to carry my purse and telephone when I'm out shopping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The smaller the better. Make the thieves work hard!

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  15. I have a new backpack. I'm not checking luggage, and so I have my roller suitcase and a backpack. My purse is tucked into the backpack along with makeup, towlettes, toiletries, hand sanitizer, masks, a couple books and an extra set of shoes that didn't fit in the suitcase. Also two gifts and my tablet and my travel wallet with the travel documentation. When I am tramping around the home territory, I carry a small wallet with my license, debit card and cell phone. I have a purse. Rarely carry it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds as if you have a lot of 'stuff'. Do you really need it all?

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    2. I've been thinking of dispensing with the purse, since I probably won't carry there any more than I carry it at home.

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  16. I carry a leather cross-body bag and feel no need for filling it up to capacity. Phone, cards, wallet and perfume are my essentials.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like me, except for the perfume.

      Delete
  17. In the USA - home of John Wayne - two words immediately come to mind: Concealed Carry....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No doubt over on your side of the pond, one other content would be a gun. We haven't gone that far here yet.

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  18. I bought my youngest son a Fossil leather back back when he was 16 for school use.

    He's now 27 and still has it. It's been around Europe and Japan with him. Goes to work with him every day.

    Contents? Phone charger, spare scrub pants, book, deo stick, body spray, can of sardines!(I asked, emergency lunch for when the cafeteria is closed) Travel mug for coffee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must say, I think the tin of sardines is a brilliant idea (ring-pull I presume).

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    2. Yup, he told me he's even had those German herrings in tomato sauce!

      I gave birth to him but his father's gene pool is strong! I just can't stand the smell of sardines or herring.

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  19. Does "Brute" bodyspray make you smell like an animal? Perhaps a silverback gorilla? I prefer "Brut" myself - it makes me smell like Henry Cooper after I have followed his instruction to "Splash it all over!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it suited the majority of rucksack toting men I've seen around.

      Delete
  20. I've always detested the sensation of a purse hanging off my shoulder. Thankfully, I was able to retire my purses when I retired from work. These days a good pocket suffices. My husband has even begrudgingly carried my lipstick when my outfit is pocket less.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I use a small rucksack, as above comments better for your back and hands free.
    Contents?
    Tablet computer aka camera, wallet. Specs, small sketch book, coffee card wallet, business cards, pens. Pencils... And dark chocolate of course!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've just been to Boots. In amongst their shelves I found a selection of rucksacks. It's as if I can't escape them.

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  22. The principal of my school carries one when he leaves campus to do...whatever. It looks weird on a middle aged man in nice clothes (usually a tie) and I don't understand why he does it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can understand the children using them, but I expect the principal would look better with either a briefcase; or nothing.

      Delete
  23. Cro, every woman carries a crumpled tissue in her handbag that her mother gave her in a sacred ceremony when she turned 18. It's the only one she ever needs. I thought you knew that?

    I do like your serving suggestions for backpack contents! But since sartorial splendour has all but vanished here now, I don't imagine many consider a warning label is required to caution against ruining the look of a suit whilst wearing one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now there's a thought. WARNING: Pockets might appear out of shape if filled with Pineapples.

      Delete
  24. I found it to be much easier in the shoulders than have one arm weighted down with the books and papers I was hauling. I've just ordered a new, smaller, cross body version for hiking and kayaking. And my new one is a lovely grey and mauve tweedy sort of fabric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always quite liked the children's ones in the form of a teddy bear or monkey, with the arms and legs hanging down. These days I don't see so many of those, they've been replaced by 'Frozen' or 'Fortnight' bags.

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    2. I hate to see little people with a big hulking pack sack on their backs! I see some kindergarten children at the bus stop dwarf by these great ugly things.

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  25. The small ones worn over one shoulder on a fairly tight single strap are known to the Massive as shotters.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Im a bit late to this party.Just catching up!.But just to inform you that from March 21st there will be another back pack in Brighton for 5 days..mine!.It is multi coloured with a flower patch,where it has gone threadbare.Bought for £2 from Pimlico car boot about 12 years ago.When I got back to the Midland 3 days later,I discovered £3.75p in the inside pocket!If you see me walking about the Laines,please say Hello!xx

    ReplyDelete

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