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

What about one of those drug dealer Nike/North Face/ Under Armour cross body bags that are popular or one of those Uniqlo cross body bags that are all over Instagram.

Some hotels hold a passport in reception (I always refuse) but it might be an option.

Also your answer was very chippy when people merely responded to your terminology

Appreciate you are concerned, my mum ‘made’ me wear a bum belt on a school trip to Germany in the 00s when I was 14 (it did my street cred no favours whatsoever).

What exactly are you concerned about? If it is mugging / losing the docs, far better to leave them in the hotel safe.

PPs suggestion of scanning everything in and emailing it (to him, and to you if it helps calm your nerves) is an excellent idea. The info will be accessible in an emergency then.

I used one when I was interrailing across Europe aged 17 - but that was so I could easily reach my stuff whilst carrying a monstrous backpack.
He is only going for a week, on a plane, with a carryon, to stay in a hotel.
he will learn whatever works for him

I always use bum bags when abroad on holiday as I find them convenient and secure. I do understand your concerns, but at 18 he is now a young adult and is unlikely to listen to you. You can suggest all you like, but you cannot insist.

This is the sort of thing he will have to learn from experience, but we'll hope that doesn't happen to him. You could buy health and travel insurance for them if they don't have it, but you'll probably have to stop at that.

There is no physical way of insisting/ensuring something he wears on his person as you won't be there, so back off.

My 21 year old DS was mugged on his first evening on first holiday without us to Magaluf. His debit card was used 4 times in 15 minutes to withdraw all his money in his account, £1,000. They took his phone, which had a little cash, driving licence as well. He was drunk so doesn’t remember anything. Luckily friends he was with were friends of some family members so got in touch with us. I managed to put a stop on his bank account, but too late and put a stop on his phone. Luckily in the hotel, the staff were very good and took him to hospital and then to the police station to make a statement. Make sure his friend and DS has telephone numbers of people to contact. I put a list of contact phone numbers inside suitcase along with insurance details. He found the phone the next day, along with driving licence, medical bills were settled direct. When we queried with the bank how the money was taken out when contactless was only £50 then, but we got told there are cash machines that £250 can be withdrawn at a time. I got him a bum bag to store cash etc., but of course nothing was going to happen to him

With great respect OP, it's time to let go. He's an adult now. Just remind hi. To keep cash and credit card in hotel safe and just take out what he needs each day. He will be fine. Resist the urge to ring or text him whilst he is on holiday. Let him relax and grow.

Suggesting safety measures to inexperienced travellers is reasonable. Insisting your son does anything on his own holiday is reasonable. Your anxiety is yours to deal with.

Hes an adult you need to get a grip

😂😂

Anything that signals that you're an inexperienced, scared tourist (like bumbags where they arent needed) will make you more of a target and not safer at all.

We go to a Greek island every year, and we find it’s our colouring that is as good as a neon sign over our heads, saying “Tourist”. All the Greeks have black hair and brown eyes - the farmers are tanned dark brown, while the staff in hotels, shops, etc are tanned light brown. Meanwhile we are a pasty white/pink/ whatever you want to call it. The bumbag is an irrelevance!

However, other more touristy islands may be different; but where we go, we see absolutely no signs of crime at all. The Greeks are unfailingly welcoming, polite, honest and helpful. One year, we went to our favourite restaurant on our last night. As we were flying home the next day, we didn’t have much cash left. Something had gone wrong with the card machine and they were stipulating cash only. We weren’t sure if we had enough cash to pay for dinner. They told us not to worry, we could pay them for our dinner next year!

The best advice I can give here is to encourage them to get a safety deposit box and leave details of cards etc with someone at home AND take a photo copy of their passports before they go. 18 year olds won’t be seen dead with a bum bag.

Of course I'm not going to "make him".

Then why ask if it's okay to "insist" he wears one? 😂

A big number of Greek hotels/apartments have safety deposit boxes in the room. (Usually in the wardrobe) that can be rented for a fee.

He's 18 ffs you ABU to Insist he wears a bum bag.

Bum bags are not necessary. He's only going to a greek island- I've never had a bum bag nor has DH. He'll look a dick in a bar wearing a bum bag and it's fine to do the same as he would here when out clubbing- leave valuables in hotel safe- cash/phone/card in pocket.

Bumbag? You’re mad.

You’ll be suggesting travellers cheques and a money belt next!

Ooh money belts, do they still make those?! 🤣

Cut the umbilical cord and let him go!

My ds would take his bumbag I think as it’s big and easy to carry about, but a small rucksack is fine! What else is he going to use to carry his stuff about?!

They wear the bumbags across the body now anyway not on the waist

I'm joking. Sorry. On a thread like this it's hard to know what's real!

I imagine he has bigger priorities of what he will be doing on his holiday at 18…😜

I agree with a quick chat about thinking twice before he does anything (too) silly, but this is completely over the top. He’s an adult now.

Suggest they take photocopies of passports and insurance and swap them so if one has stuff stolen others have proof as well as you keeping a copy to email. My daughter's friend lost hers in Rome this was the easiest way to prove identity to consulate who issued replacements. Otherwise you can't insist on anything only suggest.....I've never had a bum bag we split stuff as chances of both being mugged or robbed are less

I'm a bit anxious - but trying not to show it! -

And I suspect spectacularly failing.

Would i be worried in your shoes? Hell yes. Already worried about the prospect and it’s not for another 4 years.

However my worry wouldn’t be about them getting stuff nicked and I wouldn’t be trying to force this issue.

I would far far more worried about safety and harming themselves due to being reckless and taking risks