Lisa

I use a small - medium sized elegant leather backpack. I have not used a traditional over the shoulder purse for a long time. The backpack allows my hands to be free (for holding my husbands hand), and don't have this sac constantly falling off my shoulder or hanging across my chest (IMO not very attractive with a sundress). I carry my wallet, travel journal and pen, glasses, sunglasses, aspirin, Chap Stick, maps, guidebook, camera, keys, an extra film and a small bottle of water. <BR>BTW I also carry my husbands sunglasses and wallet.

Brian in Atlanta

I don't buy this "if you're thirsty you're already dehydrated" stuff. That's like saying "if you're hungry you're already malnourished." <BR> <BR>This "drink lots of water" craze is only a few years old, so we can only assume that for the majority of the millions of years of human evolution (let's say until 1970) people drank only when they were thirsty. It's amazing the human race survived. How about animals? Are they often dangerously dehydrated? I'm fairly certain that they only drink when thirsty. <BR> <BR>I'm sure there are doctors and studies that will say I'm wrong, but it just doesn't make enough sense to me. <BR> <BR>I'm not saying that drinking lots of water doesn't have its benefits (water is the body's natural cleansing mechanism), but if you're drinking so much water that you have to use the bathroom every 30 minutes, you're overdoing it (your body is expelling the excess water). <BR> <BR>As for Americans toting those water bottles all over the place, maybe they're going with the "I'm a tourist, damn it, and I'm gonna do my best to look like one" look. <BR> <BR>I actualy do usually use a backpack, but only when I can't convince my wife to carry the guidebook in her purse. "Uh, honey, can I see the book again?" "Damn it, Brian, I just put it back in there."

gottapeealot

How does having a bottle of water equate to being a touist? I have water with me whether I'm in my home, car, the mall, on a Philadelpia street, on a beach in the Carribbean or in Europe. I know I may over do it on water consuption, but how does that harm anyone else? Are you allergic to my stray molecules of H2O? Does my water-drinking really offend people??? <BR> <BR>

Ellen

I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you why I always carry water and use a back pack. Since I have been taking Claritin D every day for allergies I have had a dry throat on a regular basis. Very uncomfortable. The backpack is for several reasons. I like to have my hands free (to drink the water!) or take pictures, or hold on to the handgrip on the subway. I have a bad back. Carrying a heavy handbag exacerbates the problem. The back pack distributes the weight evenly and even helps my posture. Not to mention the fact that when we travel, my husband doesn't like to carry anything at all. Therefore, into my backpack go his sunglasses, etc. If this makes me look like a tourist, so be it.

Anon

Sylvia- <BR>You know Miss XXX also? She taught at my school in the 40's.. we even had to eat our bananas with a knife and fork. To this day I feel guilty just peeling and eating one in the kitchen.

rand

I carry my lunch to work in a backpack every day, so why not carry my lunch in one in Europe? Must be a cultural city vs. country thing. Sort of like I do not own one piece of black clothing. Gasp! There I've said it. I will be in Paris and I won't wear black.

Anon also

flyboy--"Anon, they died sooner." <BR>I agree with Brian , what did our ancestors do without this superior knowledge of the benefits of water&gt; since this bottled wate r craze is only about 8-10 years old who is to say that in 10 or so years you are all not going to drop dead of overworked kidneys and burst bladders?

Marcy

For those overly concerned about the bottled water thing - I buy the first bottle to have a bottle, then refill it with tap water as needed. Would you rather I pack an empty bottle for this purpose? And who says everyone with a bottle of water "over indulges" in drinking it? Even if we did, how on earth would this affect you?

tootired

beccause we have to look at you sucking on a bottle like a 1 year old

Good Grief

Of all the offensive things one sees in public, I am shocked that this is even an issue. Seeing someone spit or pick his nose or scratch the nethers... now that's icky. If watching someone drink from a bottle of water bothers you that much, look the other way. It's hard to drink enough water every day--especially if you're out and about. I'd rather carry a little water and spend my cafe time and money on wine ~ Wine without enough water is a migraine waiting to happen. Here's to H2O!!

bababoo

I think that there is nothing wrong with walking around drinking water from a bottle. There are alot worse things as was said above. As for backpacks, I ALWAYS am carrying one with me everywhere I go, not only travelling, but around my home city. I find that it frees my hands and I am able to put things I buy into it, especially heavy groceries, saves using plastic bags too. I don't like purses, I've never owned one in my life, and I'm not about to start now. I think as long as you are aware and polite of others on buses etc., then what is the big deal? It's not to be trendy, but practical. Same thing with the water.

egg

"This "drink lots of water" craze is only a few years old, so we can only assume that for the majority of the millions of years of human evolution (let's say until 1970) people drank only when they were thirsty. It's amazing the human race survived. How about animals? Are they often dangerously dehydrated? I'm fairly certain that they only drink when thirsty" <BR> <BR>Yes, these health crazes come and go. I take them all with a large pinch of salt (whoops salt is also supposed to be bad for you). Drinking too much water can actually kill you, e.g. Leah Betts. INHO, the best way to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet and listen to your body. Moderation in all things.

Help Me

Hey, Good Grief, are you saying that all I have to do is drink water and then wine won't give me a hangover? What about beer? Does the water thing work with beer, too? How much water? Jeesh, who knew?!!!!

egg

One of the few bits of advice my old mum gave me that actually works. When you get home after a good night out, drink two classes of water. Alcohol dehydrates you and that's one of the big factors in a hangover.

flyboy

This discussion got me curious, so I did some research. The following url is an article from DrKoop.com. <BR> <BR>http://www.drkoop.com/dyncon/article.asp?at=N&id=12627 <BR> <BR>It basically says that yes we need water, but we get lots of it from the food we eat, so don't stick the garden hose down your throat thinking it will make you healthier. <BR> <BR>I still won't give up my bottled water. I think it tastes better than tap water. <BR> <BR>As for the hangover cure, a big glass of water plus two aspirin works 100% of the time for me (not that I've needed it often).

elvira

No one wants to lug more than they must, so anon is curious what it is being carried in those giant backpacks that maybe we, who DON'T carry, should. I don't think s/he's picking on backpacks per se, just asking about the giant, heavy ones that cause a tourist to walk hunched over. I don't do well with backpacks, so I carry a small totebag and my sister carries a backpack. We each have about the same amount of stuff: kleenex, camera, couple of rolls of film, map, sheet of paper with the itinerary; maybe a compact umbrella, rain bonnet or warm gloves if the weather warrants. <BR> <BR>I'm a desert rat; when I moved out here 16 years ago, I noticed that <BR>'transplants' would have huge plastic cups of water on their desks that they sipped at and filled up throughout the day; the "natives" hit the water fountain if they happened to walk past it. <BR> <BR>I work in a service business; everything needed to do my job is on my desk: computer, phone, calculator, pens, etc. Because it's a financial service, client records never leave the building. I arrive everyday with a small totebag with my shoes, lunch and handbag; a couple of the guys bring a small backpack that holds their lunch, a book to read at lunch, their checkbook. <BR> <BR>Next to me sits a woman, who does the same job I do, who brings to work everyday: a full backpack, a full leather briefcase (the satchel type), and an over-the-shoulder totebag that's crammed full. I'm dying to know what she's got in there....

multitasker

Yikes. For a minute I thought Elvira must sit next to ME. Then I realized Elvira doesn't live in Oregon and I don't work in financial services. FYI, I bring a purse (keys, wallet, sunglasses, Starbucks mints, lipstick, etc...), a satchel-style briefcase (laptop, file folders, blue pens, black pens, red pens, highlighter pens, Handspring palmtop, fold-up keyboard and, sometimes, bottled water), and a wee little backpack (headphones, portable cassette player and a full set of French immersion tapes). I leave the gym bag in the car in case a wave of fitness virtue should unexpectedly strike. Can't speak for your colleague, but now you know what all's in my bags

ann

On the water issue. I am an RN (registered nurse) and I can tell you that if you are drinking 2 litres of water in 8 hours and going to the bathroom every half hour you may very well have a medical disorder - and if you don't have it you could very well develope one. As many above posters pointed out, the water bottle phase is only a few years old. Probably most of those carrying around water bottles all the time have read too many self improvement magazines - and may also be the type to try lots of fad diets. None of that stuff works to keep you healthy long term. If you are hiking, or if it's really hot than a water bottle makes sense. Other wise, water with meals and one or two mid day breaks for a drink should be all anyone needs.

kd

Is it possible that with varying checkout/checkin times at hotels/hostels they are carting their actual luggage so they can sightsee in between hotels/cities? <BR>And yes, water bottles are carried around by many of us Americans in everyday life.

chris

I just returned from Rome, and enjoyed a day trip to Villa Adriana. The day had started out sunny and warm so most tourists had on shorts and sleeveless shirts. Well by 3pm, the downpours had began. I was able to pull my umbrella and jumper out of my bag while many people were trying to wait out the rain under the ruins. The rain did not stop. <BR> <BR>Also, I like having water with me so I can take small periodic drinks to keep dehydration at bay-I get miserable headaches when I get dehydrated. Especially when I am forced to wait in a hot line to get into a sight or wandering around acres of ancient ruins. I also like having some fruit with me. <BR> <BR>And you are only kidding yourself if you think it is only Americans who carry daypacks with them...EVERYONE had them