Humans are strange creatures. It's okay for a man to carry a laptop bag or "messenger bag" or a backpack, but if the shape of this bag strays just a little from certain norms he'll be derided by his friends for carrying a "man-purse," which is frankly ridiculous, since guys need to carry stuff, just like girls do. But I'm going to come out of the closet and admit to carrying one of these wherever I go in Japan. It's called a "scissors bag," a name which comes from barbers who use them to hold their tools when cutting hair, and I keep my wallet, camera, keys and other important stuff in to I don't lose it -- plus it's got kanji printed on the outside, which is cool. One of the good things about living in Japan is the different set of social norms in place here, which allows me to pick and choose which I'll follow.
So what do you think? Is it okay for a man to carry a "scissors bag"?
16 comments:
Hopefully people won't think it looks too gay. If so, I'll leave it in Japan ^_^
Well seeing all the Point cards that all the businesses offer in Japan, makes for a rather uncomfortable sit in the back pocket where we normally put our wallets. Also our keys don't have to bulge in or front pocket or jingle attached to our belt loops.
When ever my wife and I would go to disneyworld I would use the same thing, it's just more accessible. that one is really great looking. So yes i would use one. great article.
I need one of these bags! I took a bit of crap for carrying my old bag but wow did it make life so much easier when I had too much stuff to carry!
I think the ones in your photo are pretty effeminate. Get rid of those chains and you are in business. I've seen some good ones for sure (here in North America) but the ones with straps to keep them on your wrist...not a good idea.
What's the worst that could happen? Someone could think you're gay? That's their problem.
There's a reason why "cargo pants" have become really popular here in the US. My husband carries around all his crap in his cargo pants although now he carries a laptop-turned-diaper-bag and uses that as his excuse to carry a man-purse.
It's not a matter of people thinking I'm gay...they think that anyway. It's just a matter of personal style. For me, if you remove the chains from the bag, it looks cool to me. With the chains, it's too effeminate and therefore...not that cool...again, to me. It's just a subjective comment. I'm certain there are people like the model in the photo who can rock that look.
It's just a fanny pack, which were quite popular a few years back. Now, it seems, only among hikers and bikers.
As for a wallet; that's what front pockets are for. Seems to easy to get the pack stolen.
i want one!!! link link link!
We have a bunch of the scissors bags on the site. They seem to be popular so we'll carry more in the future, too.
John, you're right, although when I asked what defined a "man-purse" to my twitter followers there was a pretty spirited discussion of this or that bag shape, and how much they'd hate to have people get the wrong idea. Interesting that you don't really get that vibe from people in Japan. Obviously some of the people you meet are going to be gay, but you never think about it here, unless it's flamboyant geinojin types on TV, heavy emphasis on the first syllable ^_^
I bought a "Von Dutch" one when I was in Japan. I where it sometimes here in the US. Nobody ever said anything. Although I know my friends would call it gay. I don't care. Its cool.
I really like the leather one you have on the blog post. I don't think I've ever seen a leather one sold on the site before, but I don't think it's really possible to get one online very easily.
Even when I was living in Japan, it was really hard to find one like the one the picture.
I fail to see why men cannot wear that type of bag. In my country, there are lots of men wearing that kind of bag, since they are more practical than most bags. So there is no need for you people to be shy.
Heck... I carry a "murse" and I'm proud of it. I'm a diabetic, so once I have my "rig" (needles, vials, meter, strips, lancets, etc), my phone, my keys, my wallet, my journal (never go anywhere without a nice old-tech one)... who has room for anything else in their pockets.
I have a nice shoulder bag, about 12"x9"x2" that goes anywhere I don't want to drag a backpack with... the movies or dinner for example (or nay place I'm not bringing my net-book).
I'll let all the trendy insecure guys worry about some unspoken sexuality signifier it might give off. Me? I'd rather be comfortable when I sit down and have everything I need.
And, I kinda like the Scissors Bag in the picture.
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