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Is Your Man Bag Dangerous?

Nothing can ever replace my '96 Gap Hoodie.jpg
Chiropractors are concerned that women’s purses may be too heavy for their shoulders, but man bags may come with their own risks:

Recent research shows
a guy with a murse is more likely to be mugged, leading insurance carriers to wonder whether they should up their premiums for those men with the latest Gucci tote.

The official reason?

Women can carry huge handbags for fashion, with nothing significant in them (example: my Marc by Marc hobo has a Louis Vuitton pochette, some lip gloss, and a Teen Vogue - hardly heavy lifting).

Meanwhile, guys usually just carry big bags when they need to transport something - a laptop, a camera, a portfolio, or something else of value. Thieves see the big bags, think they’re loaded with the latest iBook, and strike.

But we have our own theory…

Muggers who see man bags may assume any guy who carries one is too concerned with their appearance to fight back and risk a black eye or broken arm, and so they calmly give up their stuff - and keep their cute face and unruffled hair.

Comments

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1

posted by wiu wiu

Jul 09, 2007 9:29AM

wow this is vaguely offensive

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2

posted by a lady

Jul 09, 2007 9:34AM

agreed.

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3

posted by Leslie

Jul 09, 2007 9:38AM

I wonder if auto insurers have a clause about driving in heels!

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4

posted by Cory

Jul 09, 2007 11:54AM

Oh my God ... I'm a walking target. That's my bag! But I'm only packing a few trinkets and a Teen Vogue myself!

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5

posted by Sempre Libera

Jul 09, 2007 12:29PM

Ditto to the first two posters. I fail to see why the "official" reason isn't a sufficient explanation. Must we revert to such outdated stereotypes?

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posted by Bonnie Lass

Jul 09, 2007 3:45PM

Offensive? More like funny.

But seriously, it's both. Getting jumped not only depends on what you're carrying, it depends on how you look. If you're an overly polished guy or gal, you're a target. Not only because a thief would think you had more to steal, but because they would think you were unable or unwilling to fight back.

Two men, same Cartier watch. One dressed in work boots, dirty jeans and 5 o'clock shadow. The other clean-shaven, in leather loafers, blazer and button down shirt. Who would you jump?

It's not stereotyping, it's common sense.

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posted by creatine

Jul 09, 2007 4:14PM

And fashionista's official position is that the muggers will take one look at the gay ..or *cough* well groomed, and know they are a pansy who will give up their prada without any fight. In order to save their hair of all things... i think that's the offensive bit....

plus
I don't know where y'all have been but I would'nt try to part one of those Chelsea boys from their bags. They could break me.

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posted by obvi

Jul 09, 2007 8:09PM

When a guy friend of mine got mugged last week, my roommate and I were convinced it was because his murse made him look like a victim. We all know there's no promise that a guy who is a little light in his loafers wouldn't fight back. But what's your average mugger thinking? (Sorry, I just stereotyped muggers too.)

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posted by Kaysie Paul

Jul 09, 2007 10:10PM

So True!

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posted by jose

Jul 09, 2007 11:39PM

i'm not giving my purse up, even if i am just carrying the latest vogue, cigarettes and candy.

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posted by guest

Jul 10, 2007 2:44AM

Offensive? probably. True? Very likely.

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posted by Steven.

Jul 10, 2007 9:10AM

The reason why I carry my mitchel (a man satchel) is because of all the crap I have and can't hold in my pockets.

And, if someone tries to take it, you better believe I'll run after them then beat them to a bloody pulp when I catch 'em... with the bag, of course.

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