What Have I Got in My Pocket?

 

This isn’t the actual question I’m looking for an answer to today, but it is where it starts. Friday morning, I found something on Twitter that had me thinking all day and has generated more than its fair share of discussion, so I’ve decided it needs a post of its own. The line was “I don’t always carry all the groceries on one arm, but when I do, my keys are in the wrong pocket.”

Now, this was quite frankly shocking to me. I mean, who changes up the location of where their keys are? The items I carry every day go into the same locations every day. Apparently this is not universal behavior, so one does when faced with such a problem, I decided to take it to Ricochet.

So the questions are:

  1. Do you have a routine for the items you carry every day?
  2. If not, why? Additionally, what kind of strategy do you use, if it can be described as such?

I’ll also note that in the original discussion it was pointed out that women’s clothing is often short on pockets, so they may not always use them or have room for keys. Which is understandable but if your clothes don’t have pockets, I would assume you have a purse or other bag where your keys would normally be, and I don’t see why you’d take them out just to put them in your pocket.

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  1. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Stad (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Admittedly, I am a tad outnumbered here, but I still believe that it is all of you who are the weird ones.

    Also, there’s this.

    Everyone knows you carry hot dogs in the front pocket . . .

    That’s what I was raised to believe. I’m glad there’s at least some things we can all agree on.

    • #61
  2. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    • #62
  3. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    • #63
  4. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):
    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    I keep my keys to an absolute minimum:  truck key, two office door keys, and a house key.  But then, I never was a chick magnet.

    • #64
  5. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    Slow on the uptake (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    I have only one pocket rule, which comes in to play when I travel: my passport goes in my left front pocket and nothing else. That’s so I always know where it is, and it doesn’t accidentally fall out if I pull something else out of my pocket.

    I’ve known several whose passport was pickpocketed while out of the country (and one where they simply forgot it) so now I am fanatical about where it’s kept. Depends upon planned activity but that’s one of my choices if I can’t go deep inside an inner coat pocket. Have even been known to put it inside my shirt.

    I’m with you on the passport.  It’s either in the safe in the hotel or in my  shirt front pocket.

    • #65
  6. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    And who has the most keys?  The janitor.

    • #66
  7. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I’ve reached a sad point in my life where I must consider which I like more: cargo pants or women. 

    What do they have against pockets and comfort?

    • #67
  8. Marythefifth Inactive
    Marythefifth
    @Marythefifth

    I started a nap, reading this entry in bed on my smart phone. Forget commenting here on that thing. I had to get up and come to my laptop to comment because that quote is one of life’s truisms. But I think it’s a quote from a woman. It has nothing to do with where you usually keep something. You keep it where you can get to it quickly. Like me, she has her purse on her shoulder, keys in a pocket, as they’re easier to retrieve than from her purse, on the side of her pants or jacket of her dominant hand. Because it’s her dominant hand, it’s the hand and arm that is stronger, and more able to carry all the bags when just one hand will do. When she reaches the car, she will then have to transfer all the bags to the non-dominant hand to be able to retrieve the keys from her pocket. Happens to me all – the – time.

    • #68
  9. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    Even when you don’t remember what a key is for? 

    Especially when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    • #69
  10. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    I’ve reached a sad point in my life where I must consider which I like more: cargo pants or women.

    Am I missing something here?  Are they mutually exclusive?

    • #70
  11. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Marythefifth (View Comment):

    I started a nap, reading this entry in bed on my smart phone. Forget commenting here on that thing. I had to get up and come to my laptop to comment because that quote is one of life’s truisms. But I think it’s a quote from a woman. It has nothing to do with where you usually keep something. You keep it where you can get to it quickly. Like me, she has her purse on her shoulder, keys in a pocket, as they’re easier to retrieve than from her purse, on the side of her pants or jacket of her dominant hand. Because it’s her dominant hand, it’s the hand and arm that is stronger, and more able to carry all the bags when just one hand will do. When she reaches the car, she will then have to transfer all the bags to the non-dominant hand to be able to retrieve the keys from her pocket. Happens to me all – the – time.

    So then you carry your purse on the non-dominant side? My keys are actually on the non-dominant side so I wouldn’t have that problem but if I did have something on my shoulder the keys would still go on the opposite side.

    • #71
  12. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Marythefifth (View Comment):
    You keep it where you can get to it quickly

    That certainly applies to your carry pistol.

    • #72
  13. Marythefifth Inactive
    Marythefifth
    @Marythefifth

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Marythefifth (View Comment):

    I started a nap, reading this entry in bed on my smart phone. Forget commenting here on that thing. I had to get up and come to my laptop to comment because that quote is one of life’s truisms. But I think it’s a quote from a woman. It has nothing to do with where you usually keep something. You keep it where you can get to it quickly. Like me, she has her purse on her shoulder, keys in a pocket, as they’re easier to retrieve than from her purse, on the side of her pants or jacket of her dominant hand. Because it’s her dominant hand, it’s the hand and arm that is stronger, and more able to carry all the bags when just one hand will do. When she reaches the car, she will then have to transfer all the bags to the non-dominant hand to be able to retrieve the keys from her pocket. Happens to me all – the – time.

    So then you carry your purse on the non-dominant side? My keys are actually on the non-dominant side so I wouldn’t have that problem but if I did have something on my shoulder the keys would still go on the opposite side.

    I’m right handed, everything’s on the right side. It has something to do with needing to hitch up my right shoulder as counter balance to the heavy bags and keeping the purse on. Although I could unlock the door with my left hand, my brain seems to insist I unlock it with my right hand and I never think ahead.

    • #73
  14. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I’m right-handed, but carry my keys in the left pocket because I can only use my smartphone well in the right hand (so it goes into the right pocket). My wallet goes in the back right pocket. 

    I don’t understand how anyone can fit keys and a wallet or phone into the same jeans pocket comfortably and retrieve the desired item easily. Keys or a knife in the same pocket as a phone begs for a scratched screen.

    Keys and a knife sit well together, though I sometimes separate them if I have extra front pocket (cargo pants). The back left pocket is for business cards or notes. 

    • #74
  15. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Oh man! You guys should try playing with your weak hand more often. Supposedly it makes you smarter. 

    • #75
  16. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Marythefifth (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Marythefifth (View Comment):

    I started a nap, reading this entry in bed on my smart phone. Forget commenting here on that thing. I had to get up and come to my laptop to comment because that quote is one of life’s truisms. But I think it’s a quote from a woman. It has nothing to do with where you usually keep something. You keep it where you can get to it quickly. Like me, she has her purse on her shoulder, keys in a pocket, as they’re easier to retrieve than from her purse, on the side of her pants or jacket of her dominant hand. Because it’s her dominant hand, it’s the hand and arm that is stronger, and more able to carry all the bags when just one hand will do. When she reaches the car, she will then have to transfer all the bags to the non-dominant hand to be able to retrieve the keys from her pocket. Happens to me all – the – time.

    So then you carry your purse on the non-dominant side? My keys are actually on the non-dominant side so I wouldn’t have that problem but if I did have something on my shoulder the keys would still go on the opposite side.

    I’m right handed, everything’s on the right side. It has something to do with needing to hitch up my right shoulder as counter balance to the heavy bags and keeping the purse on. Although I could unlock the door with my left hand, my brain seems to insist I unlock it with my right hand and I never think ahead.

    I get that, although my keys still go into my right pocket and I unlock the door with my left. Of course the door I unlock most of ten is on the left side and it just seems easier…and now that I think about it, I unlock doors using the hand that corresponds to the knob side. 

    But if I had a bag on my shoulder I’d still have the keys on the opposite side because otherwise I’d lose the bag going for the keys.

    • #76
  17. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    I don’t understand how anyone can fit keys and a wallet or phone into the same jeans pocket comfortably and retrieve the desired item easily. Keys or a knife in the same pocket as a phone begs for a scratched screen.

    I’ve never had a problem. As I said earlier, pants with deeper pockets. I’ve also carried my keys and phone in the same pocket since I’ve had a cell phone, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a scratch because of it. Although that may also be because I make sure the screen faces inward when I put it back as well.

    • #77
  18. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Oh man! You guys should try playing with your weak hand more often. Supposedly it makes you smarter.

    I dunno about that. I used to be ambidextrous writing until they beat it out of me (not literally), but there are still things I do right-handed.

    • #78
  19. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    Even when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Especially when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Because my car doesn’t use a “key” I have a total of one key on my key ring–the house door.

    • #79
  20. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    Even when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Especially when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Because my car doesn’t use a “key” I have a total of one key on my key ring–the house door.

    I have three keys on my keyring for three houses, only one of which is mine.

    • #80
  21. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Samuel Block (View Comment):

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Umbra Fractus (View Comment):
    Of all of these the keys are most likely to be in the “wrong” pocket. Sometimes I’ll clip them to a belt loop.

    Also a strategy I’ve seen for those with lots of keys. Sometimes with a retractable cord so they don’t need to be taken off the belt.

    Another thing about those, they are major chick magnets. 😃

    Well sure, keys indicate responsibility. More keys means more responsible.

    Even when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Especially when you don’t remember what a key is for?

    Because my car doesn’t use a “key” I have a total of one key on my key ring–the house door.

    I have three keys on my keyring for three houses, only one of which is mine.

    Well, I do have keys for two neighbors’ houses and one for our out-of-town condo, but they’re in a kitchen drawer.

    • #81
  22. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    I never have an issue about which arm in which to carry the groceries, because the keys are in the left front pocket.

    I’m sinister, you know.

    • #82
  23. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone.  I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    • #83
  24. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    I never have an issue about which arm in which to carry the groceries, because the keys are in the left front pocket.

    I’m sinister, you know.

    That part about being sinister was for Arahant, but it was too late.

    • #84
  25. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Clavius (View Comment):

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone. I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    I bought a belt holster from Gander Mountain when they were going out of business for my flip phone.  It worked great.

    • #85
  26. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Yeah, Arahant.  And I know what randy means, too.

    • #86
  27. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Clavius (View Comment):

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone. I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    I used to have a mini flashlight and a calculator in there too, but the phone has those covered.

    • #87
  28. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Clavius (View Comment):

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone. I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    I bought a belt holster from Gander Mountain when they were going out of business for my flip phone. It worked great.

    I get mine from a small shop in Mumbai on my semi-annual trips there.  Assisted by one of my local colleagues, of  course.

    As an aside, I was sorry to see Gander Mountain go under. Just as I miss Sport Chalet.

    • #88
  29. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    Clavius (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Clavius (View Comment):

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone. I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    I bought a belt holster from Gander Mountain when they were going out of business for my flip phone. It worked great.

    I get mine from a small shop in Mumbai on my semi-annual trips there. 

    Clavius, I implore you to do a picture post of India. If you haven’t already, take a ton of shots next time you go and let us see when you get back.

     

    • #89
  30. Clavius Thatcher
    Clavius
    @Clavius

    Percival (View Comment):

    Clavius (View Comment):

    I’m a geek and keep buying belt holders for my phone. I can’t imagine putting it in my pocket.

    I used to have a mini flashlight and a calculator in there too, but the phone has those covered.

    It is interesting to note that independent software developers identified the flashlight need and solution.  It was only then that the phone OS people built it in. A good example of the value of an open marketplace.

    • #90
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