# Guys: What pocket do you put your wallet in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361 "2011-03-12T01:23:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/81 "2013-01-24T19:40:16Z")
Right handed. Left front: cell phone Right front: keys, comb, knife, pens Left back: nothing Right back: wallet Always done it that way. Haven’t yet been pickpocketed. When I was abroad I took the advice of our tour organizer and kept the really valuable stuff (passport, most cash) in a little bag under my shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/82 "2013-01-24T20:18:49Z")
When I’m wearing a coat, right inside coat pocket. If I’m not, left front pocket. I do it this way so I can pull it out with my left hand. I used to keep it in my back pocket, but I didn’t like sitting on it, and I also feel like it’s safer and easier for me to access in front pocket or coat pocket. ---
**Author:** ![KermitTheFrig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/47e85d/32.png) [@KermitTheFrig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KermitTheFrig)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/83 "2013-01-24T22:39:23Z")
I have a European carry-all. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/84 "2013-01-25T00:44:55Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Left front pants pocket. I’m left-handed. Are most people who put it in the left pocket left-handed? It might be switching. I’m right handed, but keep my wallet in my left front pocket for the last several years. I used to keep it in the right front, but my phone has displaced it as the thing that I want to be easiest to access. ---
**Author:** ![sgobowinski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@sgobowinski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sgobowinski)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/85 "2013-09-17T02:06:10Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > In a spirit of inquiry, I tried this out on my way to my one class today. Maybe I just wear my pants cut tighter than you do, but it was incredibly uncomfortable. Also, when I gave up and tried to surreptitiously remove it from my waistband, I found that to be very difficult as well. I agree that it would be almost impossible to actually wash it that way, though. That’s not long enough to get used to a new way to carry your wallet. Leave it tucked under your belt for a day or two and I very much doubt you will ever go back!! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/86 "2013-09-17T02:18:19Z")
I carry my wallet in a purse. One of [these.](http://www.target.com/p/swissgear-vertical-travel-bag-black-grey/-/A-11149392) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/87 "2013-09-17T02:24:21Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Left front. Never kept it anywhere else; never understood people who kept their wallet in their back pocket. Seems like an invitation to trouble. (Yes, this is a zombie for those keeping track.) The problem is, I don’t have room for it in my front pockets. Front right has my keys. Front left has my phone and often a fold of compact flash cards for my camera. I couldn’t put a wallet in either pocket without either looking like an idiot and/or severely impairing my mobility. So left rear it is. I’m actually surprised at how left front and left rear are the least popular of the pocket choices. I’ve tried right rear and it just feels awkward to me as a right-hander. As for pick-pockets–I have lived for years in places where pick pockets were common, and speaking English would slightly increase your chances of being a target. It’s never been an issue for me, but I would sometimes shift my wallet to the front pocket on very crowded trams, or keep my thumb hooked lightly into my rear pocket just to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/88 "2013-09-17T12:56:07Z")
When I’m wearing jeans or trousers the wallet goes in my right rear pocket, phone in left front, keys in right front, nothing (except lists and/or receipts) in left rear. My shirt, sweater or t usually hangs down over my back pockets. When I’m wearing cargo pants (always when traveling or in very pickpocketty areas) my wallet goes in my left thigh pocket - fastened - my phone in my right front - open, papers/ID in right thigh - fastened, nothing in left rear - fastened, gum or mints in left front - open. Never had my pocket picked. I’m right handed. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/89 "2013-09-17T13:14:36Z")
If I have a coat on, it goes in an inside pocket. Cell phone in left front pocket, keys in right front pocket. Without a coat, I prefer to keep my wallet in a left thigh pocket. If there is no such pocket in the pants I’m wearing, I’ll put it in my rear left pocket, but be annoyed every time I sit down. My wallet is migratory. The location of keys and cellphone is what always stays the same. I actually have an extra credit card that I keep inside my phone case so I can go without a wallet for most trips. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/90 "2013-09-17T13:37:14Z")
Left front; it’s a money clip. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/91 "2013-09-17T13:49:49Z")
Even though this is a zombie, I’ll chime in. Right rear. It doesn’t fit in a front pocket. I’m puzzled by people who say they don’t like “sitting on it”. In every pair of pants I’ve ever owned the rear pockets are just a little below the waist. The only way I could be sitting on my wallet would be if I pulled my pants down until half of my butt was exposed. ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/92 "2013-09-17T13:53:56Z")
ass pocket, either one. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/93 "2014-01-21T15:14:04Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > your enormous wad of cash. The polite thing to do is warn people before saying something like that, so they can swallow their drink before reading it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/94 "2014-01-21T16:12:11Z")
Re-reading the OP and its reference to Cecil’s column ([here](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/364/in-a-right-handed-world-why-is-a-mans-billfold-pocket-on-the-left-side)), and remembering my post below, > [@echo7tango](#): > > I’m right-handed, so wallet in left rear ever since childhood. > > I first saw the idea that right-handedness “means” that the wallet should be in the left rear pocket on an old TV episode of Dennis the Menace, as a kid. The episode was in black & white. Mr. Wilson got his right hand stuck in a mailbox, and a thief came by and stole his wallet - from the left rear pocket! One key point in that Dennis the Menace episode was that the soon-to-be robber, when approaching Mr. Wilson’s right hand stuck in the mailbox, said something like, OK, so since you’re right-handed, that means your wallet would be in your left rear pocket. He then proceeds to reach into that pocket and walk away with the wallet. As a young kid watching this, I was baffled that right-handedness meant wallet in left rear. I had no idea why, but since then have always put it there. Cecil’s column adeptly explains that. Of course. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/95 "2014-01-21T18:55:18Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Right handed. As in Cecil’s article, this is actually the most ergonomic for a righty since you need your more dextrous hand free to rifle through the contents. 😕😕😕😕 I don’t understand this. My wallet isn’t like a knife - I can’t just flick my wrist (especially with my left hand) and have it open. I reach into my right rear pocket, pull it out with my right hand, and use both hands to open it. Voila - it is now in my left hand, and I can use my right hand to pull out the bills I need. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/96 "2014-01-21T20:42:54Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Left front pants pocket. I’m left-handed. Are most people who put it in the left pocket left-handed? Beats me, I am right-handed and I do the same but it is because when I remove my keys from the ignition they are in my right hand so they go in my right front pocket. Having a wallet in there is too crowded. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/97 "2014-01-21T21:13:50Z")
I’m lefthanded, and keep my wallet in my left rear pocket. Rear pocket, because I need my front pockets for my keys and cell phone. (In pre-cell-phone days, I used to keep change in one of my front pockets, but nowadays I simply try to avoid having change at all.) And left just because. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/98 "2014-01-23T15:30:37Z")
Right rear until I got a leather money clip/credit card holder that I now carry in my right front because I am right-handed. If that fits the def of “wallet” then there you have it. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/99 "2014-01-23T16:05:55Z")
Right rear pants pocket, except when I’m somewhere that feels too crowded, when I move it to my right front pants pocket, where I (perhaps delusionally) believe I can better protect it from being lifted. ---
**Author:** ![Roundabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dec6dc/32.png) [@Roundabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roundabout)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361/100 "2014-01-23T16:07:24Z")
Front pants pockets. No exceptions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-what-pocket-do-you-put-your-wallet-in/574361.md?page=6)