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

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

i suggest you read your own thread title OP

Don't young people nowadays wear those bum bags you wear over your chest? I thought it was all the rage?? I saw someone wear a Gucci one the other day 🤣 OP maybe get him one of those as a present

You can’t expect an 18 year old to wear a fanny pack.

Years ago DH and I went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Due to the prevalence of pickpocketing in the crowds, someone advised me to make up a decoy bag and keep any valuables on our actual person. So I put hairbrush, hair gel, freebie card decks from casinos, worthless crap basically in my little backpack. Sure enough it was all gone from the bag by the end of an outing!! But we didn’t lose our wallets or anything important so it was a good result!!

Ignoring the "insist" insanity-@iwonderwhat , my son and his friends all have cross body bags from Uniqlo they wear on their fronts. Like this. www.uniqlo.com/eu/en/product/nylon-crossbody-bag-453376.html Worth SUGGESTING?

A money belt worn under clothes whilst travelling then passport left in the room while out and about is the best option.

He's too old now for you to insist that he goes out wearing anything, considering that at his age in his bum bag he could keep the keys to his house, car, his marriage certificate, his divorce certificate, his pilots license, the keys to the office where he works...

You're anxious because you got mugged and you don't want it to happen to him, but a bum bag isn't a forcefield, and he's not you, he's a seperate person. He's 18, you need to encourage him become a little bit more worldly, and for this there is no substitute for experience.

If you insist he will wear it to shut you up, take it off as soon as he gets in the taxi and it won't see the light of day until he gets back. Chill out and try to give him the kind of support and send off that means he can tell you what went on when he gets back, good and bad, so he can learn from it for the next trip, rather than not telling you because you'll flip your lid with worry.

The only time I see bumbags and 18 year olds together is when they've got them slung over their shoulders.

The only time I've seen 18 year olds wanting a bumbag is when they're searching for the one they left on a pub chair (complete with phone, earbuds, keys, passport and bank cards) because it would be the worst thing ever to wear it around the waist - they just don't notice they've left them behind.

He can't wear a bumbag while trying to crack on to girls. Are you mad 😀

It's a fantastic idea. OP can wear a hat and huge sunglasses and hide behind a pillar. When he takes his bumbag off she can send a paper aeroplane over to the table with "Put your bumbag on!!" written on it and he'll have no idea where it came from. Go, OP!

What? He’s an adult. I’m laughing at you insisting he wear a bumbag. Are you always so overbearing? Just leave him be.

Insist: demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal.

The OP used that exact word. So why wouldn’t posters respond accordingly?

18 isn't too young to go travelling and Greece is a very safe place! I'm sure they'll be fine with or without a bum bag, you can say what you like and he might go along with it to shut you up but that doesn't mean he'll use it. I have travelled to many places and never with a bum bag. I use a Euro travel money card, which is not connected to a bank account but you can load it up when you like, or sometimes just my usual debit card. If he has a banking app on his phone he would know minutes later if money had disappeared.

Try not to worry, parents always worry but having great experiences is what enriches life. The Greeks are lovely people and usually very helpful if they do need assistance.

Why not make it sound even more cool and call it a "fanny pack". 😂

Oh op, I sympathise with wanting to protect a teenager from the world, but you really need to calm down x

Oh ha I’m one of the 5% :))). I agreed with you because I’m just the same. You can’t insist though you can only suggest it (in a pleading voice lol).

*Sun, Sex & Suspicious Parents 😂

2000s reality TV at it's best 😆*

Oh I loved that show

I think you're more likely to be pickpocketed as a result of the bum bag.

I agree. Losing something would be the bottom of my worry list and as suggested by another poster, he could scan a copy of important docs and email it to himself in case of emergency. Drugs, drink, the sea etc etc would be much bigger worries (although again, hes an adult so its our job to encourage them to be confident, responsible young adults…then worry like mad at home when hes away).

There is no excuse for any wearing a bum bag ever.

NO EXUSE.

EVER__.

I am a single parent. Carry everything. Trust me, my bum bag isn’t lifeline at airports

Agreed. Vile things.

IS my lifeline!!!

Everyone is wearing sling bags in touristy places and they are a good idea for security too. You could buy him one (Adidas or similar?) and he might then use it.

They are going to a Greek island for less than a week, taking carry on bags only.
So he'll put his passport in his bag. I don't get how that will be different to a bum bag. I go on similar short trips with a carry-on bag occasionally. If you choose the cheapest plane ticket, you're only allowed one small bag: if you wanted to take another bag, you'd have to put it in the small bag. The small bag is soon packed with stuff, and you might want to buy a souvenir. I wouldn't take a bum bag as it would take up too much space in the small bag - and I don't need two small bags.
Maybe you could offer to get him a decent pickpocket-proof carry-on bag if he doesn't have one already? If so, make sure it complies with size regulations as they do check.
was mugged on holiday in my early 20s - admittedly a long time ago -and it was a right bloody pain to sort everything else.
It being in a bum bag wouldn't prevent someone from mugging him.

does he wear a bumbag in his home country?

what magical powers do they confer while abroad ?

He's an adult, not a child!! 🤣