# What do you take to work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819 "2006-03-25T02:00:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/21 "2006-03-25T13:49:56Z")
I carry my keys, office cell phone, and a few bucks cash in a small purse. I keep everything else in my office–why tote it back and forth? But then, I walk to work and can’t tote a bunch of stuff. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/22 "2006-03-25T14:29:03Z")
Well, beyond the usual contents of my pockets which I take everywhere… I grab my black ‘gear bag’, a fairly simple and cool-looking small black, umm… it’s vaguely luggage-looking, but I’m not quite sure how to describe it otherwise. Several different compartments. Never get that many weird looks carrying it into work or back, on the bus, etcetera. Inside you will find, or possibly find depending on the vagaries of chance: - various pieces of electronic gear - audio players, PDAs, my keyboard organizer. Occasionally I fit my alphasmart dana into one compartment, if I want to get some serious writing done on the bus. Connector cables to hook something up to my work computer, spare memory cards, maybe a memory card reader. - bus fare inside the tiny top flap pocket. My burlington change-card is practically always there, and my hamilton monthly pass is usually, unless I transferred it into my wallet, so I could go out shopping without taking the bag. - Batteries for audio player, nickel-metal-hydride rechargables generally - either charged or flat and awaiting recharge. - Leftover food for lunches, packed away into mason jars. - Drink mix to prepare with water-cooler-water in at the office. - A clipboard with a few important papers stuck inside it, and any stamps I happen to own tucked inside the front flap. - Maybe a newly burned CD that I want to play on my computer at work that day. - Approximately a 3% chance of there being a pen inside. 😃 That’s about all I can think of. Oh, and I carry a song in my heart. No, wait… that’s the MP3 player in my shirt pocket, with the headphones around my neck. ---
**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/23 "2006-03-25T14:49:35Z")
A leather book bag that I’ve had for years. Inside it, a dayplanner book, whatever papers I have to grade, whatever papers I am in the midst of writing, a book or two (manadatory because it’s a BOOK BAG). The aforementioned BOOK BAG was a couple o’ pockets on the exterior. In those pockets I keep my wallet, cel phone, pens and keys to office and Jeep, on separate rings. In addition to the book bag, in my pockets I carry a pocket knife, nail clippers, Special Forces coin and a money clip, preferably with money. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/24 "2006-03-25T15:18:23Z")
My purse A granola bar Toothpaste if I need some ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/25 "2006-03-25T15:54:39Z")
Purse, which contains wallet, mp3 player, keys and cel phone among many other items. Tote bag, which will contain lunch, dress shoes, a book, and likely some writing to work on at lunch. Sometimes a water bottle. Gee, it seemed like a lot, but I guess it’s not. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/26 "2006-03-25T16:02:19Z")
Hmmm… pen wallet keys Leatherman Micro Leatherman Juice S2 aardvark lucky piece Gerber Truss knife cell phone cocoa mug, filled Everything else is on, in or around my desk in my classroom. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/27 "2006-03-25T16:55:54Z")
Purse - with usual stuff in it Briefcase - with any relevant papers, plus water and sometimes lunch Work laptop - about half the time ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/28 "2006-03-25T17:25:09Z")
My god, and I thought _I_ liked to travel heavy. I carry a messenger bag in lieu of a purse. When I go to work, it usually contains: a book (I commute via pubtans) a notebook. Never know when you’re going to want to write something down. a small datebook. Am forgetful, need help. a small umbrella. Chicago weather is unpredictable. wallet keys cell phone lunch snacks (usually yogurt and a couple pieces of fruit) pens ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/29 "2006-03-25T17:40:06Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Ivylad often laughs at me when I leave for work in the morning because I carry so much stuff it looks like I’m moving out. > > Let’s see, when I leave for work I have: > > Purse > Keys > Cell Phone > Lunch in a tote bag > Big water jug (holds half a gallon of ice water and keeps it cold all day) > Gym bag > Office clothes if they won’t fit in the gym bag > Thermos of coffee to drink after my workout > > Sometimes my son helps me carry stuff out, but I find I have forgotten stuff if I don’t have it all in my hands…you know, Ivyboy has my lunch, but he doesn’t have my cell phone, and I don’t realize it until I’ve gotten to work Handbag: Wallet, house/office keys, car keys, cell phone, address book, memo book, compact, lipstick, Altoids, sunglasses, reading glasses. Totebag: makeup bag, Daytimer, lunch, brush, mirror, whatever book/magazine I’m reading Gym bag: sports bra, t-shirt, yoga pants, socks, scrunchie, walking shoes I think I need to lighten up, Francis 😃 VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/30 "2006-03-25T20:40:04Z")
binoculars tape recorder and microphone backpack, containing: 2 or 3 field guides field notebook pencils rain poncho water bottle bug spray GPS compass maps spare cassette tapes depending on where I’m going, maybe a machete and walkie-talkie ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/31 "2006-03-25T23:01:39Z")
In my purse, there is: mp3 player and headphones lip gack wallet cell phone keys my lunch 1L bottle of water ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/32 "2006-03-26T00:28:08Z")
–keys –purse –cell phone –my 18-month-old son Yes, I get to take my son to work with me. He naps mid-morning for about an hour-and-a-half to two hours. He wakes up, gets fed, then plays with his toys until we have to leave. It’s great. Oh, and his dad is my boss. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/33 "2006-03-26T00:44:06Z")
Keys and wallet. If I happen to need anything else, I just walk up stairs to my room. It’s nice living so close to the office. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/34 "2006-03-26T00:48:21Z")
A backpack/laptop bag. In which is: - Laptop - Day-Timer - Whatever miscellaneous work I brought home - Ibuprofen - Chargers for: phone, laptop, camera - Digital camera - work keyring - checkbook - Network cable in case I go somewhere w/o wireless - USB cable for camera ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/35 "2006-03-26T00:59:08Z")
Four or five cans of Diet Pepsi or Diet Coke Pencil puzzles, like word searches, that I don’t necessarily need a pencil for, to keep my mind busy when doing long repetitive jobs on machines. Clean work shirts, if needed A couple of Cup o’ Noodles, if I need to stock up Jacket, if needed Keys, money and ATM card in pockets. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/36 "2006-03-26T01:29:17Z")
We’re allowed to bring in purses, etc., but only if we keep them in our assigned lockers. I’m not about to run across the entire store and up a flight of stairs, so I carry: Money/license in my back pocket Car keys gum, cigarettes, and lighter in my coat pocket Pens and a black Magic Marker in my apron pocket My hate-with-a-passion store baseball hat If I remember, I’ll try to bring a Kashi bar or something similar to nosh during my lunch break. That goes into my bench drawer where I keep my cake decorating supplies. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/37 "2006-03-26T01:38:40Z")
Inside the Mega-purse: Wallet Cell phone Keys Lunch MP3 player Compact Bus pass Gum (although I never really chew gum… why do I keep that there?) Advil Band-aids Girly supplies Book for the Metro Folder with study notes, if I’ll have time to kill during the day Pens, pencils, little notebook Stainless steel leakproof travel coffee mug Umbrella (optional) And in the winter, I’ll bring shoes too, although often I’ll just leave a pair at work for the week. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/38 "2006-03-26T01:52:20Z")
The usual stuff that’s in my pockets (keys, comb, change and wallet) plus PDA and cell phone. A hat, but I wear one every time I go out. Sometimes, when I’m feeling fit, a pedometer. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/39 "2006-03-26T02:07:25Z")
Water bottle and sometimes water tumbler for car Purse with cell phone in it Lots of keys Big rolling bag which can be locked Insulated lunch bag Two books, lots of folders and a ton of papers; plus clips, chalk, whiteboard markers, paper clips, stapler, white-out Toothbrush, holder and paste ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819/40 "2006-03-26T02:26:21Z")
Appropriate clothing. Keys, wallet, phone, PDA, lipbalm, sunglasses, safety glasses, pocket knife, 5in1, measuring tape. Sawzall, cordless recip saw, circular saw, cordless circular saw, several cordless drill drivers, hammer drill, hammers, drywall finishing tools, crowbars, various hand finishing tools for woodwork, air compressor, nail gun, brad nailer, stapler, coil gun, hand saws, sledge hammer, airless paint sprayer, HVLP gun, various roler cages, covers, sticks, brushes, step stoll, 6’ ladder, 16’ ladder, 30’ ladder, table saw, concrete and mortar tools, rope, chain, buckets, wheelbarrow, various shovels, bits, screw drivers, nut drivers, socket set, caulk guns, random orbit sander, belt sander, chop saw (miter saw), glass cutter, suction cups, levels, and various other items. Up to 20 or so replacement windows, lumber, paint, roofing supplies, insulation, paint, drywall, mortar mix, fence posts, readymix, etc… Truck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-take-to-work/349819.md?page=3)