# What do you keep in your pockets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661 "2002-03-16T22:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/1 "2002-03-16T22:35:49Z")
For me?? Absolutely nothing. I can’t stand anything in my pockets. As soon as I get settled, I unload the car keys and the wallet and I can’t stand to have any change in my pockets. If I must – I will have the car keys in my right hand pocket -always- and the wallet goes in the left front pocket. But as I said, as soon as I get the chance to unload - I do. People who carry change in their pockets -or worse yet- enjoy the pass time of jingling it, are destined to the most inner ring of hell. I’d just as soon toss my spare coins in the gutter than walk around with that infernal racket. So… What do you keep in Your pockets? ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/2 "2002-03-16T23:07:38Z")
In my jeans pockets: Money, mostly. (Just dollar bills! Change quickly disappears into other people’s hands or vending machines.) Sometimes my keys end up in my pocket if I really have nowhere else to put them because they’re too bulky to fit comfortably. In my coat/jacket pockets: Lip balm, gloves, chewing gum, random bits of stuff. I think that’s it. I’m a bit afraid to check for sure. jessica ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/3 "2002-03-16T23:23:56Z")
Left front: keys & Zippo of the day (I have about 10). Keys are only carried when I don’t have a place to put them. Right front: change, which I dump into my jar whenever I pass it; 4 or 5 starlight mints; pocketknife; chapstick. Right back: wallet, unless I’m driving for more than about an hour in which case it makes my back hurt. Left back: hanky & comb. Occasionally I put my great-grandfather’s pocket watch in the watch pocket of my Levis. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/4 "2002-03-16T23:23:57Z")
lint Other than that, nothing much. Keys, when I walk the dog. Gloves, in the winter. ---
**Author:** ![RaCha\_ar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@RaCha\_ar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaCha_ar)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/5 "2002-03-16T23:26:13Z")
Chapstick. That’s all. I go completely insane if I forget to take my Chapstick with me in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/6 "2002-03-16T23:27:39Z")
…and bags to pick up after the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/7 "2002-03-16T23:29:01Z")
Well, it isn’t a ring, The One, that makes you invisible. sorry, I just finished The Hobbit and am in the middle of LOTR To answer your question directly, I rarely keep anything in my pockets, and typically the only thing I’ll put in them is some change or a few bills. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/8 "2002-03-16T23:34:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ruffian \* > \*\*Typically the only thing I’ll put in them is some change or a few bills. \*\* Don’t the ducks get mad? ---
**Author:** ![ringmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9e8a1a/32.png) [@ringmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ringmaster)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/9 "2002-03-16T23:39:09Z")
My wallet in my back right pocket. Nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Lodrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Lodrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lodrain)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/10 "2002-03-16T23:44:36Z")
A pen or two, two pocket handkerchiefs (one for hand-drying, one for nose-blowing and other icky stuff), my wallet, a small vial of handsoap and an eraser. No pocket change. Can’t stand to make noise. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/11 "2002-03-16T23:46:08Z")
Normally Left front: Cellphone, Chapstick, Keys (If I don’t walk to the train station), Pepperspray (dependant on where I’m going) Right front: Wallet, palm Vx Left back - usually start with nothing - receipts go here - sometimes small subway map Right back - Train ticket, metrocard But if I’m at a place that I feel comfortable emptying them I do. ---
**Author:** ![Jonno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jonno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonno)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/12 "2002-03-17T00:23:01Z")
Right butt cheek jeans pocket, wallet. Left butt cheek pocket, mints, pocketknife and keys when not in use. Front pockets keep various bits of coinage, at least until I can find someone to hurl it at. I hate change. Next. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/13 "2002-03-17T00:23:38Z")
You guys are all amateurs! Left Front - Keys Right Front - Change, Swiss Army knife, Leatherman Micra, mint Chapstick, flashlight, Bic lighter. Right Rear - Wallet and comb. Left Rear - Checkbook Shirt - Ink pen, Sharpie permanent marker, small screwdriver, cigarettes, miscellaneous business cards, notes, etc. On Belt - cell phone and Handspring Visor. I admit it’s a lot of stuff, but I like having my stuff with me wherever I go. I’ve often remarked that I can lose 5 pounds whenever I want just by emptying my pockets!😃 ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/14 "2002-03-17T00:58:26Z")
What pockets? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/15 "2002-03-17T01:16:00Z")
About 14 years ago, whilst driving across the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I stopped at a rest stop. My wallet fell out of my hip pocket, and I lost it. It was never returned. That was literally the LAST day I went with a wallet in my pants pocket. I bought a fanny pouch, and have never turned back. It tends to get pretty full sometimes. Recently, I’ve had cause to wear a suit a few times for funerals. Obviously, one cannot wear one’s get-up with a fanny pouch. However, the contents listed below are the typical stuff found on my person. Athsma Inhaler Lactaid Extra pills Paper money Change. Frequently this pile grows until I’m aware of some enormous weight ( aside from the normal enormous weight I have hanging around my waist… ) down there, and I go and take out like eleven dollars in spare change. Wallet with photos of the Man-Cub and the Fem-Bot, credit cards,Union cards, EMT card, bank cards, small bits of paper. Handspring brand Visor. It carries every bit of data important to me, that anyone else would be allowed to read. 😃 Spare Cell Phone battery. Cell Phone on clip on fanny pouch strap. EMT Badge on clip on fanny pouch strap several “AAA” batteries. A Mini-Mag flashlight. Chap-Stik, for dem kissable soft lippies… 😛 I think that’s it. And it weighs like 5 lbs as it is… \ Boy, I wish men were allowed to carry pocketbooks, I’d be in heaven. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/16 "2002-03-17T01:18:18Z")
…uh, duh. And, 9 keys on a ring with a Micro-Face shield for CPR breathing… ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/17 "2002-03-17T01:28:03Z")
Let’s see… right at the moment I have: [ul][li] 2 sharpie markers[_]a pair of scissors[_]a rubber band[_]a red ink pen[_]2 black ink pens[_]a package knife[_]four band-aids[_]chapstick[_]two packs of sugar-free bubblegum[_]assorted bits of paper[_]one pair of hemostats[\*]and a pair of latex gloves[/ul][/li]and lest anyone think me too kinky, I am at work at the moment. Well… maybe not at work, but at least on the premises. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cougarfang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Cougarfang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cougarfang)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/18 "2002-03-17T01:44:05Z")
String, or nothing! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) Wallet and keys in right front pocket… CompactFlash card+adapter and spare change and cell phone and whatever else I need to carry in left front pocket… Assorted papers in the right back pocket… Ooh, string or nothing in the left back pocket… Sometimes I wear my “pocketses” pants, which have two **BIG** pockets on the legs. Usually, I have a book (a novel, usually Contact) in the right one, and whatever junk I need to carry (Comb, candy, playing cards, band-aids, rubber bands, pencil/pen, eraser, whatever… I hate purses) in the wrong- uhm, left one. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/19 "2002-03-17T01:45:44Z")
Two things I always have in my pockets. 1. Wallet 2. Leatherman sometimes I’ll have change. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![tetsusaru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f14d63/32.png) [@tetsusaru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetsusaru)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661/20 "2002-03-17T03:20:16Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Cougarfang \* \*\*String, or nothing! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) Damn you, Cougarfang, that was my line! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-keep-in-your-pockets/98661.md?page=2)