# Why is the convention to put your wallet in the back pocket **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 22, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649 "2011-03-22T21:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 23, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/21 "2011-03-23T14:43:53Z")
This is probably better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**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 23, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/22 "2011-03-23T14:46:36Z")
Having grown up in New York City, where pickpockets were a threat, I’ve always carried my wallet in my front left pocket. I’ve never had any problem with it falling out, nor is it uncomfortable when I sit. (It would be uncomfortable sitting if I had it in my back pocket.) ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/23 "2011-03-23T14:58:01Z")
I think the theory is that if you are a manly man, you can show off that “condom ring” poking through both the wallet and the layer of jean material if the wallet is in the back pocket. Male peacocks and plumage. Same thing here. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/24 "2011-03-23T15:04:28Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > I’ve never had the problem of damaged credit cards. If you like overly-huge baggy pants, you’d be sitting on your wallet. In my pants that fit properly, and probably yours too, my wallet is higher up than the part of my butt that I sit on. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/25 "2011-03-23T15:13:13Z")
Ref the O.P. ,anyone who’s worried about what other people say real men will or won’t do aren’t real men. Real men do what ever they want to, and if that includes hairdressing and flower arranging ;then so be it. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/26 "2011-03-23T15:14:30Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Wallet belongs in the front pocket. I don’t understand folks who keep it in back. Painful to sit on, easy to steal, but it seems to be the default. Glad I think for myself. There you go. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/27 "2011-03-23T15:24:46Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Wallet belongs in the front pocket. I don’t understand folks who keep it in back. Painful to sit on, easy to steal, but it seems to be the default. Glad I think for myself. I tried that. It just dosn’t work. It dosn;t belong anyplace. You put it where you like. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/28 "2011-03-23T15:49:31Z")
Convention seems to be left rear pocket but I always found right rear more accessible as a right handed person. Recently I started having some pain in my hip and lower back and I switched to front left. I have had credit cards break due to sitting on the wallet but it is pretty rare. I am looking for an alternative (money clip??) but haven’t found anything I like yet. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/29 "2011-03-23T16:26:45Z")
I only keep mine in my front pocket. My wallet is also only about 2 inches wide by 3 inches long and no more than a 1/4" thick. Sometimes I just take a few cards (Debit, license, CC, insurance), wrap money around them and add a rubber band. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/30 "2011-03-23T16:32:49Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > isn’t it easier to have it stolen than in the front? But still everyone says real men put it in the back I’ve been putting it in my front pocket since I was a teenager. Easier to reach, more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/31 "2011-03-23T16:58:26Z")
I used to use the back right pocket until I developed [Piriformis syndrome](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome) or “wallet sciatica”. The pain convinced me to switch to the left front. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/32 "2011-03-23T19:28:35Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I can only imagine that the two of you wear tight pants with those front pockets that you can only fit your hand in up to your knuckles. Neither of these is an issue if you have anything more than perfunctory pockets. Nah. That would apply to \*\*\*\*panache’\*\*\*\*s statement but not mine. My front pockets are roomy which is why sometimes things fall out of them, and when I put my wallet in the front I don’t feel it at all. Whereas if it’s in the back pocket, you’re sitting right on it. You feel that regardless of pocket size. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/33 "2011-03-23T20:41:18Z")
My wallet often falls out of my front pockets. The front pocket is also a bad location for when you sit with tighter pants as the wallet is in the area where you need the wallet to bend or be able to slide to the side. The biggest problem is it falls out of the front pocket when sitting with regularity. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/34 "2011-03-24T00:25:17Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Your pockets must be awfully small. I keep my wallet in the front, and when I sit down it is against my upper leg, and I end up with a crease by my hip _above_ the wallet, which prevents anything from falling out. All it matters is that the pocket opening isn’t perpendicular to the ground. It only takes a tiny window of opportunity for things to be complete arses, and by god, arses they will be. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/35 "2011-03-24T06:35:27Z")
I don’t even put my handkerchief in my back pocket, in case I meet a “Lady” warm for my form. I can’t see why back pocket for the wallet is a good idea, either – in the olden days, billfold in the inside jacket pocket, in the pickpocket days since no one wears jackets too much outside of work, front pocket is the way. Some pants have shallow front pockets, though, cave, so, caveat emportor (or something) ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/36 "2011-03-24T07:50:49Z")
When I was a teen, I carried my wallet in the front pocket of my jeans. After a number of months, my DL and CC were irrevocably warped from the wallet bending when I sat down. I started putting it in my right rear pocket, where it sat high astride my cheek when I sat down, staying out of the way. These days, I mostly leave it in my purse, though. ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/37 "2011-03-24T08:38:04Z")
Wallets are unnecessary, you don’t need all that personal information that comes with your wallet everywhere you go. Keep your wallet at home put up… I used the back pocket most of the time as you don’t even know its there, which is scary and why I quit bringing one. Plus my pants are not as baggy so they’ve become uncomfortable (pants & wallet)… ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/38 "2011-03-24T08:40:45Z")
> [@horsetech](#): > > I started putting it in my right rear pocket, where it sat high astride my cheek when I sat down, staying out of the way. These days, I mostly leave it in my purse, though. Thats hard to imagine… I can’t sit down without sitting on my pockets and whatever is in there, which is why I sag when I sit down with stuff in my back pockets… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/39 "2011-03-24T09:32:12Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I also have my front pockets occupied…keys, change, and other loose items in the right front, phone in left front…nothing left for wallet anyway. I do it the other way around, but yeah. In terms of what I’d hate to lose, wallet comes third after phone and keys. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649/40 "2011-03-24T18:28:19Z")
I stash my cell phone in my left front pocket when I’m out and about, and it’s about as big an object as I’d want to carry in a front pocket; I would be more comfortable if it were somewhat smaller. And it’s less than half the size of my wallet. In general, the wallet goes in a rear pocket, the cell phone in the left front pocket, and my car keys in the right front pocket. I used to carry change in the left front pocket, but I just don’t need coinage that often anymore. > [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Glad I think for myself. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-convention-to-put-your-wallet-in-the-back-pocket/575649.md?page=3)