To insist DS uses bum bag on holiday?

[iwonderwhat]

DS and friend (both 18) are going on their first holiday abroad together. They are pretty sensible but possibly a bit unworldly.

I think they should each be taking bum bag with RFID protection for their passport, phone, cards and small amount of cash but DS is resisting. They are going to a Greek island for less than a week, taking carry on bags only.

I'm a bit anxious - but trying not to show it! - and may be going overboard [getting the contact details of the local British consulate] but I don't want them to come into difficulties that could be avoided. Any suggestions much appreciated! TIA

Don’t make him wear a bumbag. He’ll look ridiculous and it’ll scream I’m a tourist and all my valuable possessions are right here, come get them.

I travelled a lot, backpacked to many areas with a lot more dodgy than Greece, as well as living in Greece for many years and I’ve never once worn a bum bag, and never one had a problem with things being stolen. Just tell him to use common sense. Keep valuables at the bottom of a bag, hidden away where they’re not easily accessible if someone were to open the bag. Keep the bag secured under a chair leg at a cafe. Keep valuables in a safe space in the hotel room.

Loads of teens wear bumbags round their bodies now. They are definitely no longer the preserve of middle-aged tourists.

it’ll scream I’m a tourist

I am guessing this a tourist resort like Kavos and everyone will be a tourist aside from a few bar owners, shop owners

You’re being ridiculous. They’re spending a few days in Greece, not backpacking through Nepal. Get a grip and stop being so overprotective and panicky. Are you like this when you go on holiday yourself?!

I don’t think belt bags or bum bags scream tourist anymore. I have a few, it’s brilliant not having to adjust a handbag on my shoulder or have a cross body dig into my collar bone.

https://www.wardow.com/uk/coach-bethany-fanny-pack-ch813-b4-bk-uk.html?ef_id=CjwKCAjw4ZWkBhA4EiwAVJXwqc49aovEKxHMo1FKG2sGp6Pda06yWWfnxFQfSZulMX66U8rofMFdSBoC0v0QAvD_BwE:G:s&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ZWkBhA4EiwAVJXwqc49aovEKxHMo1FKG2sGp6Pda06yWWfnxFQfSZulMX66U8rofMFdSBoC0v0QAvD_BwE

Insist?

You can advise. That's about the limit of it I'm afraid OP.

My 18yo is going to Greece too. He already went away last year with friends, but I'll still be a wreck this year, so I get it OP.

He took the cross body bag (not bum bag), but I doubt he will this year. Other than insurance, I've tried to stay out of it this year.

He also got a ridiculous tattoo. Called me at 4.30 in the morning to tell me about it too!

Worst thing he can do is carry stuff around with him! My mum did that 1st night we were in Tenerife and got her bag stolen....we had a nightmare! He just needs to hide them in the room

O.....M.......G.... Let go.

I think you're giving the advice from when you were his age, tbh. I would leave passport and any cash stockpile in the hotel safe, then act pretty much as I would anyway when visiting a new place.

Ds got back from zante yesterday. Brought his bum bag/cross body bag/fanny pack/man bag (or whatever it is called) back with him, still covered in paint from the paint party.

Told him about this thread and he says "everyone" uses them, he wouldnt tell me if he got laid 🤣, but he did get thrown out someone elses apartments by the bouncer as they don't allow any extra guests back.

Wearing a bumbag will mark him out as being a tourist, which could lead to extra attention from thieves and harassment from street vendors...
Tell him to leave his passport in the safe at the hotel.

He is an adult so no you can't insist, you advise but he won't listen. Sometimes you need to learn the hard way.

@iwonderwhat DH went on a boys holiday at 18, lost his passport and had to go to the consulate to have it replaced. Yes it was an inconvenience but it was very easily sorted and the holiday rep assisted with advice.

It must be a worry when DC go abroad for the first time (mine aren’t old enough yet but I do remember my dad being very worried when I went) but he will be fine. These days cards can be stopped at the click of a button and money easily transferred so he would be very unlikely to become stranded. If you’re worried about the passport, take a picture of it so you can send it to him in the event that he loses it - it will be helpful to have all of the details.

Please please get a grip you’re going to push him away poor chap

My dd used something similar to a bum bag/cross body bag to travel across the world, and always split money so there was some in two or three places. She's pretty cool, lots of students and young people wear this type of bag, but let him get his own.

Tbh I’d expect mine to lie say yes and ditch the bum bag as soon as they were at the airport

I used to work for travel insurance claims, those bum bags aren’t any safer for a determined thief, I had cases where the mugger ran up to the victim cut or undid the strap and ran. Make sure he has travel insurance, preferably with an excess waiver and drum into him that he is not covered if he is drunk or has taken drugs or if he behaves recklessly, emphasise that he must use the hotel safe to store his valuables.

Leave him be, he’s 18!! You’re trying to make him a mummy’s boy.

He has to grow up some time. Step back and let him.

DS went to Spain with a friend last year after his A-levels. Somewhere he has been many times before.

can I suggest that both you and your son ensure you have photo copies of his passport plus pictures on his phone. Also, make sure he has a GHIC card in case he is unwell, DS’s friend had tonsillitis and had to get antibiotics.

send him with a pack of ibuprofen in case of hangovers.

Hi is 18. He is an adult. He can do as he wants & you can’t insist on anything. You sound a bit over bearing protective but it’s his holiday and his choice and he doesn’t need to inform you of any of it. I know you’ll worry, thats normal but there is nothing you can do.

I take it he's going to somewhere like Zante. If he was to wear a bumbag he'd probably loose it while he's out drinking or get it stolen at a beach, hes passport and money would be safer in the hotel. Also some of the hotels let you pay a bit extra for a safe in your room.

Get him a revolut card, set up a revolut vault to leave all his money in and only move money for each day into actual account/card. Even if card is stolen it's limited how much can be accessed. The money from vault can be transfered to his friends account. Remind him that if he even thinks his card might be lost go into app and freeze it.
Take copies of passport, booking details, etc of both him and friend. Send copies to both of them and keep copy yourself.
Warn them to stick together and to make sure they very definitely know the name of their accommodation. Many young people go out on first night not properly knowing their apartment/hotel name and with so many sharing similar names a taxi can drop them at wrong place and leave them lost in strange place.

Awwww everyone is being very harsh on this thread. Like you wouldn't worry about your 18 year old going off abroad with his mate for the first time! I worry about my 25 year old younger sister going on holiday alone still lol, god help my son when it's time for his first holiday without us! Agree with whoever said just get him some travel insurance, and just breathe through it. If he screws up in any way it will all be solvable.

Just going to say it how it is, when I look back at Greek holidays at 18, whether or not I was wearing a bum bag should have been the least of my mums worries 😂