# How often do you use the small pocket of your 5 pocket jeans? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502 "2019-10-08T23:29:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/41 "2019-10-09T19:01:24Z")
Yea, but…the button fly jeans. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/42 "2019-10-09T19:05:53Z")
When I smoked I kept a Zippo or Bic lighter in there. Now that I don’t smoke anymore, there’s still a Bic lighter in there, but it gets considerably less use, and when it does, it’s usually as a bottle opener. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/43 "2019-10-09T19:08:48Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > As Dr Fidelius stated, (reply # 24) it is called a “watch pocket”. Or as I noted in **Post #5**. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/44 "2019-10-09T19:34:54Z")
All the time. Spare car fob and loose change (quarters and larger only). ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/45 "2019-10-09T19:57:12Z")
I put my pocket knife there if I carry it while wearing jeans. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/46 "2019-10-10T23:43:06Z")
The people saying key fobs and watches make me think that the pocket must be a fair amount bigger in men’s pants than women’s. There’s no way in hell I could get a key fob or pocket watch into that pocket in any of my pants. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/47 "2019-10-11T00:48:40Z")
I used to keep a pocket watch in there. Now I have switched to a watch that clips on a belt loop (I have always disliked wearing a watch on my wrist) and now I use it to hold a small container of pills in case I am out to dinner and have to take my evening pills. So I always use it. One of the reasons I wear jeans almost always. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/48 "2019-10-11T02:33:14Z")
Never Ever ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/49 "2019-10-11T07:08:59Z")
When I go to Ireland I use the little pocket for pounds or Euros and the big one for smaller change. So the last time I used one was 2004. Dang. I need to get home for a visit. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/50 "2019-10-11T09:06:16Z")
My keys. I only have two, one for the front door, one for my bedroom door, so it’s the perfect size. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/51 "2019-10-11T16:40:38Z")
Always. It’s where I hook my thumb when I’m leaning against a wall. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/52 "2019-10-11T17:46:48Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’ve occasionally put drugs, of the mundane, OTC type (e.g. ibuprofin) in there, if I suspected I might need them later. Yeah, that. It also makes a handy place to stow seeds you’ve collected, until you can get them into proper storage. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/53 "2019-10-11T17:59:59Z")
The half a packet of splenda left after my morning coffee. Earrings if I’m too rushed to put them on before leaving for work. the odd nickel or two. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/54 "2019-10-21T21:07:01Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > The people saying key fobs and watches make me think that the pocket must be a fair amount bigger in men’s pants than women’s. There’s no way in hell I could get a key fob or pocket watch into that pocket in any of my pants. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/55 "2019-10-21T21:20:20Z")
If I’m going somewhere that I will need some small but known quantity of money, and it will be inconvenient to get out my wallet when I get there, I pre-count it and put it in that pocket (most often, this is bus fare). But that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/56 "2019-10-21T21:53:23Z")
I wear “carpenter” style jeans most of the time and they typically have the little watch pocket but I don’t use it. On the other hand, carpenter style jeans have those pockets on the right leg and I use them all the time. At work I frequently put the tools of my trade, a Stanley retractable utility knife, a big black marker and a ball point pen in them. I don’t use the hammer loop on the left side ever, they piss me off a lot because they catch on things. Every time that happens I think about removing the loop but I never do. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/57 "2019-10-21T23:46:57Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > The people saying key fobs and watches make me think that the pocket must be a fair amount bigger in men’s pants than women’s. There’s no way in hell I could get a key fob or pocket watch into that pocket in any of my pants. Yep - I might be able to get something into that pocket, but it is never coming back out. (this would be interesting to see broken down by gender.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/58 "2019-10-22T00:03:33Z")
Every day. That’s where I put lose change. I still buy a lot of stuff with cash. I sometimes put a parking lot ticket in that pocket, too, if it fits. > [@elfkin477](#): > > The people saying key fobs and watches make me think that the pocket must be a fair amount bigger in men’s pants than women’s. There’s no way in hell I could get a key fob or pocket watch into that pocket in any of my pants. All pockets are scaled to the size of the clothes, but in general, men’s pockets are larger and more functional than women’s. I bring my new jeans to a tailor and ask him to put men’s pockets in them. (Just the large front pockets.) Now I can carry all my crap in my pockets, and i have space to tuck a small apple in one, too. But that’s nothing compared to what some men can carry. I have a friend who is large and fat, and he carries a tablet in his pocket. Like, a decent sized iPad. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/59 "2019-10-22T00:41:19Z")
When i was a smoker, I kept my Zippo lighter in that pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502/60 "2019-10-22T00:47:05Z")
Pockets on women’s clothes, when they exist at all, are usually purely decorative. I saw a woman’s shirt once with a pocket so small in it that I don’t think you could fit a single quarter in it. On the other hand, it’s the style for women to carry purses, but not men. And there are things I’d like to carry with me on a regular basis that would fit in a purse, but not a pocket. I’m not sure who gets the worse deal, overall, on that one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-the-small-pocket-of-your-5-pocket-jeans/841502.md?page=4)