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Is it considered effeminate for men to carry tote bags or does it depend on the kind of tote bag? The reason I'm asking is because several weeks ago a couple of cops were laughing & pointing at me, but I didn't give it much thought about what they found amusing until now. I'm wondering if it was about the tote bag I was carrying?
A lot of male & female cyclists here where I live carry tote bags, but they're usually the kind that have a shoulder strap that's longer than the handles whereas the tote bag I sometimes carry is a large canvas shopping or beach bag type of tote bag with long handles.
I don't see much difference between tote bags, a big tote bag is a big tote bag to me, and it's not as if the bag was pink or had a big flower on it.
Could the cops have been laughing about the bag? I can't think of anything else they could have found funny.
Why worry about it? If you have things to carry and prefer to use a tote bag, do so. No reason to let a couple random people affect your self confidence.
Oh, and no, it is not effeminate to have a tote bag (despite the "man show" style adolescent jokes some people make about man purses).
the only guys who would typically view a men's leather or canvas tote bag as effeminate are overly worried about appearing manly themselves so don't worry about it. I have a nice leather messenger that works as a briefcase during the week and a more casual laptop bag on the weekends and traveling. I really don't care if any guys thing it's effeminate as it is functional, I think it is stylish, and I also get lots of compliments on it.
Who cares what they thought OP.
Last edited by Sunbather; 12-15-2014 at 06:17 AM..
As long as it's not flowered or covered with a cute theme (kitty cats, cartoon characters, etc.) you might be alright, I guess.
Me, I'd go with a backpack if I had to but I really don't leave the house with anything more than a wallet and keys.
for every day use, I don't either. A very thin wallet and keys is what I typically bring out if I am leaving the house for leisure. However, for work (engineering) I bring a laptop back and forth as well as some drawings or other documents. And for my hobbies outside of work (in this case mainly photography and interior design) I sometimes will bring my laptop out with me to get out of the house while 'working' on these projects and I might go to a park or coffee shop. Having a nice bag like this is useful for that. I used to use a laptop but I find the messenger more functional and versatile.
It's a bag. To carry stuff. Men (and women) have needed to carry stuff since the invention of the most basic tools.
Find one that suits your personal style (be it ultra-masculine, suave, or effeminate) and enjoy not having to carry your laptop, umbrella, lunch, and thermos in your hands, because that could really make you look silly.
I can't tell you how many men I see commuting with some kind of satchel, messenger bag, or whatever in my city. It's common anywhere that a sizable fraction of the workforce doesn't commute by car.
"Tote bag" is a pretty broad term. It's impossible to say without seeing the particular bag in question. If it bothers you so much, get a simple black messenger bag or backpack. They're fairly unisex, and (IMO) easier to carry than a short handled tote.
I personally leave the handbags and purses to the women.
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