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

These are adults; you need to not be 'insisting' on anything.
Any of us could be mugged anywhere in the world. He's more likely to leave his card in a bar or something. But all you can do is to raise his awareness, and wish him a good time.
There's no need to be all Consulated up. It's not sunny downtown Basra.
I hope he has a great trip.

I live on a carribean island. Rule of thumb.. all hotels and guest rooms have safes. Use for your passport (also yes to always having a copy of passport and all flight itinery in your email) Bum Bags SCREAM tourist with alot of shit in here!!! If we go out for a walk and a meal (even if we go out in car) My husband has a wallet that he puts in his back pocket with just a few pesos in it , and an old expired credit card. Any money goes in his front pocket. I rarely carry money in my purse but honestly down here, If I am out with my husband, locals (we are local but they do not know that ) would expect the man to be paying. Any very expensive jewellery is also a NO, also not getting drunk in public. really common sense like everywhere in the world. No to bum bag.

A cross body bag is not necessarily safer. I interrupted a thief in the act of cutting the strap of my bag in a crowded Metro station in Paris. In such circumstances I now keep my hand on my bag.

🤣🤣🤣

cross body bags can actually be more dangerous @Pottedpalm . down here, sometimes the thieves are on motoconchos.. they speed by and grab a purse. If it is cross body you can hit the pavement hard!! I keep mine over my shoulder, not roadside..other side. That being said I have never had an issue here , but know a few who have. The are always the ones that their clothes and body language scream TOURIST.

Bless him

Sounds like I have a kindred spirit. 😁

I agree, why would he be carrying his passport around with him all week?

They're adults.

I mean you can insist but he won't wear it and there is nothing you can do about it.

For perspective, I MOVED abroad when I was 19. By myself. Had travelled a lot on planes but had only been to Europe a couple times (not from UK) with family, prior to moving. It was fine, I figured it out. Other students got their passports/wallets stolen and it WAS a huge pain, but that’s part of learning.

It’s sensible to talk about keeping belongings safe but I have never bought one specific piece of clothing or bag for travel protection. It really amounts to not leaving your stuff in stupid places and being aware of your surroundings. Having a bum bag is like putting a giant “I’m a tourist” sign on his bag and won’t do one big of good stopping a mugger!

With a cell phone and a credit card, you can solve pretty much any problem when traveling in a developed country.

To be fair most boys these days do take a bum bag on holiday and wear it across body to hold their phone, wallet, room card etc

Is DS and friend asking you for assistance? If not please let them explore by themselves and let them learn on their own! It's all part of the experience. I'm sorry OP you sound over the top, don't forget to pack their parachute too!

I don't really get "tourist" clothes and accessories, like bum bags. Surely they'd just make you more of a target for thieves? I'd just wear normal clothes and take a normal bag, if needed. It's not like the UK is crime free, most people I know who have been mugged and pick pocketed, have been so here. If you don't insist they wear a bum bag at home, I don't see why you feel they should need one in Greece. Just suggest they leave their passport in the safe, and take more than one bank card so they can carry them separately, then if they lose one, they have another to use.

Something happened soon after posting that took me away from MN for several hours. I never expected so many replies on what was really a question.

I regret posting in AIBU and particularly for using the word "insist". I was simply seeking suggestions that I could pass on to DS. Obviously he can take on board or ignore as he wishes.

The sarcastic, nasty and belittling responses obviously don't warrant any reply and I really can't fathom why people get such a kick out of such attitudes.

Sorry to hear the stories of people who have had bad experiences while abroad.

Well done (genuinely) to those who were fully independent and travelling the world whilst barely out of school.

THANK YOU to those who have made helpful and sensible suggestions - much appreciated.

I would recommend a Chase card. We used one in Greece last month and had no problems. There are no bank charges on foreign transactions; and you can load it with your budgeted spending money; so even if it gets stolen, that is all you can lose; unlike a credit card! It’s also got no numbers on it, so afaik, nobody can use it for online spending fraudulently?

We were told by the car rep to avoid the Eurobank ATMs, as they have high bank charges - go for the Greek national bank ATMs if possible?

A global health card is great - our friend had to go an urgent treatment centre. The treatment was free with the global card.

Primark. Amazon. Sports Direct. H&M. Decathlon. Loads of places. The bumbag is back baby!!

I prefer the term fanny pack myself much to the embarrassment of the children.

Why so nasty?

I agree with you. I find it a good thing, to ask others who perhaps can teach from their experience. you are a caring mum. Nothing more, or less. first time holidaying abroad, helloooo, not a small thing. 18 is not the same as 'an adult'.

I would be more concerned about making sure he has a top notch insurance policy that will cover him for things like riding a moped, diving and repatriation if he needs medical assistance.

Some nasty spiteful posts on here. It is nerve racking when they go away for the first time.

I kn

Phone jumping again!

I know what you mean. My ds is having his first holiday abroad as an independent and he’s twenty! And I’m still a little anxious. I had a bit of a restless night a few days ago because I couldn’t stop worrying he might swim too far out in the sea as it’ll be nice and warm and exotic and he might get a false sense of security. I’m zipping it for now but I can’t promise I might not drop a few subtle hints to be mindful of stuff like that. 😬 I’m always amazed at parents who stop worrying about their kids the moment they hit eighteen. My son might be twenty and in a steady relationship but I still worry 😁

There's a big difference between being nervous and trying to control what your adult child wears while they're abroad, though.