# Surprises In Your Purse **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905 "2010-01-14T06:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/1 "2010-01-14T06:43:31Z")
In the IMHO forum, I had a thread about purses and some women mentioned there purses are messy, so I got to thinking… Ladies, what is the stupidest thing you carry around in your purse? Not a one time thing, but carry around. Second, have you ever been going through your purse and found something you had absouletly no clue of why it’s in there and/or how it got there? ---
**Author:** ![Spacegirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Spacegirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spacegirl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/2 "2010-01-14T06:49:35Z")
I have an (unused) tampon that somehow came unwrapped in my purse. I left it in there so I can innocently hand it over someday when I ask someone to hold something for me. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/3 "2010-01-14T06:58:25Z")
I have a small rubber chicken in my purse all the time. It just makes my life a little bit better to have a small rubber chicken in my purse. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/4 "2010-01-14T07:03:26Z")
I have nothing stupid in my purse. Everything has a purpose. I recently cleaned out my purse so it’s pretty basic. The only thing that serves no purpose is the elephant keychain but it’s attached to the outside and it’s not stupid, it was a gift from someone who recently visited Thailand. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/5 "2010-01-14T07:06:59Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I have a small rubber chicken in my purse all the time. It just makes my life a little bit better to have a small rubber chicken in my purse. I like the way you think. I used to have this little rubbery dog on a keychain and when you squeezed it, the eyes bulged and a poo bubble came out its butt. I had to retire it from my purse because it became incontinent and the poo bubble was always hanging out and it was getting damaged in my purse, he’s on my desk now. But while I still had him in my purse I always took great joy in showing him to people and squeezing him for them. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/6 "2010-01-14T09:26:09Z")
I have a tiny iron acorn in my handbag. It just sits there being small and heavy and beautiful to hold. I did think about putting it on a chain but I have no doubt it would break the chain and I’d lose it. Then I thought about putting it on a light pull but it’s so heavy that either the light would come on at random times, or the person walking past it would get brained (light pull comes from the middle of the room.) So it sits in my handbag being pretty and useless. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/7 "2010-01-14T09:38:37Z")
> [@Spacegirl](#): > > I have an (unused) tampon that somehow came unwrapped in my purse. I left it in there so I can innocently hand it over someday when I ask someone to hold something for me. How many people’s first thoughts were of [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgcOIlfYRPg)scene? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/8 "2010-01-14T11:59:33Z")
I have a toothbrush container in my purse. Not because I carry my toothbrush with me at all times (though I probably should), but because it’s the right size, shape, and stiffness to hold a loaded insulin syringe or two. And it’s great to hold the used syringes, too, so that I don’t have to worry about disposing of a syringe in public. I also have a note from my doctor, stating that it’s my habit to carry around insulin syringes, and also detailing some of my other medical problems. I have a steno notebook, not because I know shorthand, but because I can get them in multiple packs cheaply and they’re the right size to tuck into my purse. I have a couple of purple pens, a silver Sharpie, a gold Sharpie, a couple of black pens, a cartridge fountain pen, and a very thick pen with 10 colors of ink. My pen is the envy of geeks everywhere. I always have at least one and possibly more than one paperback books in my purse, usually something from the used book store, because they’ll get some wear and tear on them in my purse. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/9 "2010-01-14T12:04:27Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > How many people’s first thoughts were of [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgcOIlfYRPg)scene? How many Brits’ minds went right to [THIS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0313RwYnAQ&feature=PlayList&p=76C3DC74C5408654&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10) scene?! Or am I showing my age?..😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/10 "2010-01-14T12:14:05Z")
Oh yes…I also carry glucose tablets in my purse. I use an old prescription bottle, with the label peeled off. About 7 tablets will fit in that bottle. It’s labeled “Sugar Pills”. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/11 "2010-01-14T13:10:10Z")
> [@Hokkaido\_Brit](#): > > How many Brits’ minds went right to [THIS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0313RwYnAQ&feature=PlayList&p=76C3DC74C5408654&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10) scene?! > > Or am I showing my age?..😛 OMG I loved that show! Totally forgot about it, but as soon as I saw the title I thought “bouncy bouncy bouncy!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/12 "2010-01-14T15:09:18Z")
I have a small oval hard plastic and acrylic container that holds four beading needles I use for emergency zit popping. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/13 "2010-01-14T15:11:41Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I have a toothbrush container in my purse. Not because I carry my toothbrush with me at all times (though I probably should), but because it’s the right size, shape, and stiffness to hold a loaded insulin syringe or two. And it’s great to hold the used syringes, too, so that I don’t have to worry about disposing of a syringe in public. Thanks for the tip, **Lynn**. I’ve been looking for something to carry insulin syringes for my husband. That’s a fantastic idea. I carry a spare glucose meter, test strips, glucose tablets, and a copy of the Calorie King book. You never know when someone’s meter will go dead, need glucose tablets or we go out to eat and we need carb counts for our daughter’s insulin pump. I also carry a knife and a small box cutter. Oh, and a spare eating utensil. It has a spoon on one end and a fork on the other: one of the tines on the fork is serrated, so it’s also a knife. And it’s plastic. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/14 "2010-01-14T15:13:54Z")
I just went through my purse and am kind of depressed now! I have nothing that is not practical in my purse, at all. Everything has its place, though not everything is always in its place, but everything has a reason to be in there. Furthermore, I can’t even fathom having something pretty in there just to look at - I got this purse with so many pockets so I can organize everything just so. Really, I am not this anal normally! Am I? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/15 "2010-01-14T15:20:02Z")
> [@Juliana](#): > > I also carry a knife and a small box cutter. Oh, and a spare eating utensil. It has a spoon on one end and a fork on the other: one of the tines on the fork is serrated, so it’s also a knife. And it’s plastic. When your next birthday comes up, you should start leaving Swiss Army Knife catalogs around the house. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/16 "2010-01-14T15:21:16Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I just went through my purse and am kind of depressed now! I have nothing that is not practical in my purse, at all. Everything has its place, though not everything is always in its place, but everything has a reason to be in there. Furthermore, I can’t even fathom having something pretty in there just to look at - I got this purse with so many pockets so I can organize everything just so. > > Really, I am not this anal normally! Am I? Me neither! The most interesting thing I have in my purse is a laser pointer, and that’s still there for practical reasons. The only pretty thing I have in there is my purse hanger, which is also practical. Ugh. I need some doodads. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/17 "2010-01-14T15:34:28Z")
> [@Vihaga](#): > > Me neither! The most interesting thing I have in my purse is a laser pointer, and that’s still there for practical reasons. The only pretty thing I have in there is my purse hanger, which is also practical. Ugh. > > I need some doodads. I’m sorry, I _really_ hate to nitpick about such small mistakes and whatnot, but I think you have a typo in your post. You misspelled _cat toy_. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/18 "2010-01-14T15:36:31Z")
> [@Vihaga](#): > > Me neither! The most interesting thing I have in my purse is a laser pointer, and that’s still there for practical reasons. The only pretty thing I have in there is my purse hanger, which is also practical. Ugh. > > I need some doodads. I know. I am like, when did I get so serious? The most interesting thing I have in my purse I guess is my iPod, which is a toy technically, but certainly has many many uses, ---
**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:** [January 14, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/19 "2010-01-14T15:40:14Z")
A pair of toddler sunglasses with a loose screw in them. Which went in somewhere around the end of August, and which, truly, I WILL get around to tightening up so that she can wear them again. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905/20 "2010-01-14T15:46:22Z")
A blowgun. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surprises-in-your-purse/524905.md?page=2)