Korean Job Discussion Forums

Agasaya · Joined: 06 Mar 2007

Hey all,
I am going to China on Sat and I am wondering what the safest (as in, least likely to be grabbed from me or pick pocketed from) day bag to take is. I don't expect to find myself in the situation necessarily, but I have a hundred bags and I am not sure what type to take for the week while I am there.

Any suggestions?

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

If you take a spiffy looking one that looks like it has a laptop in it, they are the first to go Smile

Make sure that you can "cross carry" it, meaning the strap around the neck rather around the shoulder.

Make sure it cannot be opened by a simple flick of the wrist.

Make sure knives don't cut thru it easily. So quality leather is good. Also carbon based fabrics.

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

Stainless steel briefcase handcuffed to your arm? Though I suppose that'd draw a lot of attention.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

A messenger-style bag that you can carry across your body, with a zipper maybe.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Make sure it has a zipper top, don't bring the open type for obvious reasons.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Agasaya · Joined: 06 Mar 2007

Thanks for the tips.
I have been looking at all these great bags on line (slash proof , secret compartments, etc.) but it is too late to order one. I guess I am going to head to a department store tomorrow and try my luck getting a safe messenger style back.

Thanks a lot for the tips!
If anybody knows a place that I can visit either Friday morning or Sat morning North/East Seoul, let me know =)

Never know...

Thanks again!

peppermint · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

use a safety pin to pin the tab of the zipper to fabric nearby, it'll slow down thieves that little bit. I got warned about pickpockets at least 17 times in the three days I was in Xian. Beautiful city, well worth it, but carry the bare minimum when you can there.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject:

airbag

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Wow, I had a pickpocket experience in Xi'an, too. Guy was going through my bag in the underpass beneath the gate. I didn't even feel him until it was too late. He didn't take anything, though: all I had was a Korean book and some toilet paper.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Never carry valuables in a bag in China. Front pockets is where you can stash your stuff and use the bag as a decoy.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:52 am Post subject:

A safe. No-one's ever going to steal that while you are out sight-seeing, pushing it around on a heavy-duty trolley.

greedy_bones · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: not quite sure anymore

I usually use a messenger bag and a travel pouch. I keep my passport, cash and important cards in the travel pouch around my neck under my shirt and have a days worth of cash in my wallet. I've never been robbed while traveling, but a small Filipino girl tried to pickpocket an empty pocket of mine. She wasn't very sneaky. She just walked up to me, asked me for money and then tried to stick her hand in my pocket.