Man Bag (or Manbag?)
I have taken advice on the potential purchase of a man bag. Overwhelmingly the feedback received has been at the negative end of the spectrum, and I admit to being somewhat relieved. Someone told me that Ron Atkinson had one so therefore it was acceptable – I didn´t follow the logic.
The need remains however. Juggling keys, phone, Important Papers, wallet, Posh New iPod, business card holder thing – even coins (which I´ve taken to leaving in the car ashtray to avoid a pocketful of jingly change – which means I never have any money on me and have an ashtray full of coins, which is annoying) is very frustrating and there´s bound to be tears soon when I lose something. I know the number of things I´m supposed to have on me and if a quick count doesn´t match the magic number I know I´ve forgotten something, this can surely only succeed for so long before it unravels.
I completely understand your dilemma and definitely share your pain. However this does not dislocate you from the fact you considered the possibility of purchasing a ‘man-bag’. You should – and I believe you do – feel very ashamed of yourself.
Back to topic: You can of course take the cowards way out and buy a small courier bag, of the sort young hipsters carry. This is preferable to the attaché case and knapsack/rucksack options that have served man up until now. As I pointed out, under no circumstances should you consider a ‘man-bag’. This blurring of the sexes is just what we should be cautioning young men about; Prada, Gucci, et al will do anything to ensnare the gentleman in their seasonal merry-go-round of leather accessories.
You should take time and realise the danger you stared down, and the magnitude of the precipice you wandered too close to. You have been saved for sure.
tyger
19 January, 2006 at 5:25 pm
I don’t get the “manbag.” Is it the bag similar to the size of a laptop bag or is it a very small bag, over two shoulders?
By any means, Mr. Z if you want one, go get it. However, for me a backpack suffices. That is of course, until society has decided that everyman must have one, then I shall give in and do the unthinkable.
progressive
23 January, 2006 at 12:00 pm
The manbag is like a ladies´handbag, but more masculine in design – to make it a touch more butch, it is usually carried with a wrist strap rather than over-the-shoulder.
The backpack is a young man´s game – as I approach the foothills of middle-age I must accept the inevitable and go for something more elegant and professional. Don´t get me wrong, whilst I intend approaching the oncoming years gracefully, I also intend approaching them disgracefully – just not gracelessly.
The exciting update is that I am probably going for some sort of soft attache case type of thing (though will check the “courier bag” option Tyger suggest above). More later.
MrZhisou
24 January, 2006 at 9:39 am