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

I get it. When travelling with my dc they always have their wallets and phones sticking out their pockets / rucksacks on their backs unzipped. I’m constantly nagging them about pickpockets. All I can say is when they go on their own they do seem to step up and take more care of their possessions probably because they know there is no bank of mum to bail them out. Most dc now just take their phones on nights out and use them to pay contactless - I don’t know if that’s the same in Greece. If they need age id for nights out try and persuade them to take something other than their passport. See if they can set a daily limit on their bank app. Many bank apps you can also freeze and unfreeze the bank card on the app so they could just turn it on when they want to buy something. It’s always an issue on beach what you do with your phone / bank card but I don’t rate your chances of getting him to wear a waterproof phone case round his neck!

A bum bag 😂😂😂😂 omg!

the safe in the room option is far better anyway but this is also likely to be sniffed at as they’ll not want to pay for the safe.

maybe a reasonable compromise would be to offer to pay for the safe?

I hadn’t thought of that one yet 🙈 Im so glad there’s a few more years before mine go on holiday alone. Im going to be a mess (but hopefully not in front of them) 😅

I thought those drugdealer Uniqlo bags worn high on the chest that a lot of people have were bumbags.

Or you see a lot of young men carrying what looks like a handbag. It amuses me that when a lot of women say they no longer carry a handbag, a lot of men seem to be doing so. I hope their wives/GFs give them things to put in them.

I agree shorts with zippy pockets would be a better idea.

Lol. I moved to the other side of the world at 18, and have remained here since. He isn’t a child anymore.

They are never covered by Insurance, either - because the first thing the hospitals do is blood tests, which include alcohol. So the Insurers know straight away that it's something that is not covered by insurance.

And then you get the Go Fund Me appeals and press reports where families are trying to raise the money for them to be air ambulanced home. They, naturally, don't mention that he was pissed as a fart when trying to impress some girls, it's always 'a terrible accident, he just fell, we want the rails checked, why isn't the government helping us?'.

I made sure my girls knew about this so they'd hopefully tell any boys thinking of it to not be so stupid. No idea if it would sink in with the boys themselves, but in the grand scheme of things, scooters are far less of a risk.

YWBU to insist on him doing anything.
YANBU to be worried. I get my boys to have a card for an account in which they just have some “spending money” and keep other money in an separate account. If they want to buy anything more expensive they can transfer between accounts from their phones. If their card is stolen all is not lost.

🤣🤣 making him carry a bum bag. Why on earth would you suggest an 18 year old carries his passport around with him at all times when he's no doubt going to be going out getting very drunk. I backpacked in my 20s I always just locked it in my bag in my room, I would never take it out to a bar with me, it's far more likely to get stolen on me.

I'd make sure your son's phone is well insured and backed up and that he takes a travel card and transfer money onto it rather than carry his debit card (I know most people just use phones now anyway, but he'll need a plan b if he loses his phone).

I'm sure he'll be fine and figure things out, without returning to the 90s for a bumbag.

Lol at the bum bag! Although aren’t they cool again now, worn across the chest of course?

It would be wise to make sure he has a copy of his passport, insurance information and what to do if your bank card/phone gets nicked. And then get an emailed copy yourself of those documents.

Other than that I’d warn once about being safe and looking out for his friend, and then leave him to it.

Having worked for a package holiday firm, people don’t just fall over balconies, there is always much more to it.
As an ex rep, it wasn’t lost passports that were the issues, it was the fights, pissing off the local yoofs, too much alcohol, moped accidents and sunburn serious enough to be in hospital (one 19 year old fell asleep on his front for 5 hours in 36 degrees full sun in Turkey).

Have you also insisted he doesn't get a tattoo?

I wear them on holiday, couldn’t care less if people hate them as just keeping everything safe and easily at hand is all I need to know. My son did say though that I look ridiculous on holiday with my bumbag, my visor hat, my clip on shades etc, like a stereotypical tourist parody lol :)

Oh I used to love that, the straight laced parents that were horrified 🤣, can't remember what it was called though?

... FIL? Is that you?

That’s what that pp was saying. They’re not just falling off balconies. It’s because they’re showing off and or drunk

You want to make an 18 year old wear a bumbag??? Your DS must be in stitches!!

Lots of people are laughing about the style of bag but it's absolutely not unusual for men to wear these types of bags out - https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-cross-body-bum-bag-in-black-nylon-with-contrast-pullers/prd/20902227?clr=black&colourWayId=60098399&cid=9265

But they should leave their passports in the hotel and it's unlikely they'll both lose their cards and will help each other if that happens! You need to chill out OP, even if they do lose everything they'll work something out and be fine.

My DDs are 19 and 21 and would laugh in my face at the mere suggestion I get involved , let alone insist, on their holiday accessories 😂

I understand you want him to be safe, all you can do is give him some advice eg, passports in safe, make photocopies just incase etc. He'll do what he likes anyway!

You can insist until the cows come home, but frankly; 1: You won't be there TO "insist", and 2. He's an adult, so can do as he wants.

And he's going to Greece, not Syria. Calm down.

I'm 43 and never have had a bum bag and never will. If he loses his passport he can apply for a laissez passe. If he loses money, phone or his card his friend will probably still have his or the embassy can help out. If you're really worried just write your phone number and the embassy phone number and put it in his suit case.

^^ 😂😂

Please don't do that.

Sometimes you need to make the mistake in order to gain the knowledge and understanding. Yes, losing his phone and money etc would be a massive pita but he most likely wouldn't do it again. Also, does he regularly lose his money and phone etc when walking about here in Britain? Why would it be any different on holiday?

Just suggest he take a rucksack for taking things around in the day. And take a deep breath. Perhaps if you stop smothering him he will figure things out for himself.